[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 130 (Tuesday, October 17, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1808-E1809]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




INTRODUCTION OF THE INTERNET PRESCRIPTION DRUG CONSUMER PROTECTION ACT 
                                OF 2000

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. TOM BLILEY

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, October 17, 2000

  Mr. BLILEY. Mr. Speaker, today, I am introducing bipartisan 
legislation to help protect consumers from sham sales of prescription 
drugs over the Internet. Oversight hearings held earlier this year in 
the Committee on

[[Page E1809]]

Commerce exposed real problems for consumers. Unscrupulous tactics by 
some sellers using the Internet must be stopped. The bill is focused on 
one objective--to allow folks to use the Internet as a useful tool for 
legitimate sales of prescription drugs.
  The bill will do a number of things to enhance protection. First, the 
bill requires interstate Internet sellers of prescription drugs to 
disclose important information on their web sites and to State 
licensing boards. This will improve the reliability of consumer 
transactions and make it easier for State and Federal enforcement 
officials to patrol for illegal sellers.
  Second, the bill enhances the authority of State attorneys general to 
seek injunctions against interstate Internet sellers that violate 
disclosure requirements or certain provisions of the Federal Food, Drug 
and Cosmetic Act.
  Third, the bill enhances Federal authority to restrain the disposal 
of property that is traceable to certain provisions of the act.
  Finally, the bill provides for public education about the dangers of 
unscrupulous Internet prescription drug sellers who fail to follow the 
law.
  Senators Jeffords and Kennedy are introducing an identical companion 
bill in the other body. This bipartisan legislation has the support of 
the National Association of Attorneys General, the American 
Pharmaceutical Association, the American Society of Health-System 
Pharmacists, the National Consumer League, and Drugstore.com.
  I ask my colleagues to support this important measure.

                          ____________________