[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 14 (Thursday, February 1, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E98]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    INTRODUCTION OF INTERNATIONAL PRESCRIPTION DRUG PRICING PARITY 
                               RESOLUTION

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                        HON. JOHN ELIAS BALDACCI

                                of maine

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, January 31, 2001

  Mr. BALDACCI. Mr. Speaker, our nation is facing a growing crisis--the 
high cost of prescription drugs. The threat is greatest to our elderly 
who rely most heavily on prescription medications to maintain their 
health.
  The scientific wonders of newly-developed life-saving drugs mean 
nothing if the people who need these medications cannot afford them.
  Within our country, citizens pay widely varying prices for the same 
drugs. We know, for example, that seniors who rely on Medicare actually 
pay the highest prices for prescription drugs. We can and should work 
to provide a voluntary, universally-available prescription drug benefit 
under Medicare.
  However, what I find most unconscionable is the difference in price 
between identical drugs sold in the United States and in our 
neighboring countries. Studies show that U.S. drug manufacturers often 
charge Americans more for their products than they do citizens of other 
countries. The average price differential is about 33 percent, though 
for certain drugs it can be much greater. Apparently, American 
pharmaceutical companies are happy to utilize taxpayer funded research 
to develop new drugs and then turn around and sell the resulting 
medicines to Americans at premium prices, while selling them abroad at 
reduced rates. Talk about fleecing of America.
  Citizens of my state and many other border states have resorted to 
boarding busses to visit doctors and pharmacies in Canada in order to 
save money on their prescriptions. America is the greatest nation in 
the world, yet Maine people are forced to travel to Canada to obtain 
life-saving medicines at a price they can afford. This is simply wrong.
  And yet, currently they have no alternative. Congress must seize this 
opportunity to make a real difference in the health and welfare of all 
Americans by ensuring that our citizens have affordable access to 
prescription drugs. We must ensure that Americans can purchase 
medications at prices comparable to those that citizens of other 
countries pay.
  The need for this action is clear. Today I am reintroducing, along 
with Representative Jo Ann Emerson, a resolution that makes clear 
Congress' understanding of the high priority this issue must hold. It 
affirms our opposition to cross-border prescription drug price 
disparities and our commitment to address this issue in a meaningful 
way. I hope that my colleagues will join us in recognizing the 
seriousness of this issue, and taking action to help those most in need 
of affordable medications.

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