[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 112 (Friday, July 25, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1617]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                PHARMACEUTICAL MARKET ACCESS ACT OF 2003

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                               speech of

                            HON. BART STUPAK

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 24, 2003

  Mr. STUPAK. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the Gutknecht bill.
  I have always argued that while the reimportation safety-issues are 
of paramount importance, they are not insurmountable.
  This bill includes many of the safety-provisions I've been calling 
for in my bill H.R. 2652, the ``Internet Pharmacy Consumer Protection 
Act''. In fact, when I first looked at the reimportation language 
included in the GOP prescription drug bill, I was glad to see many of 
these safety provisions included--until I noticed the ironic ``poison 
pill'' provision found in this language that would give the HHS 
Secretary the power to kill reimporation. The Gutknecht bill would 
remove this ``poison pill'' provision.
  I have questioned the FDA in the past as to why they have refused to 
follow their own safety guidelines when importing prescription drugs 
for U.S. consumers under the ``personal use'' exemption. I have not 
received a satisfactory answer from the FDA and I've concluded that 
their decision to ignore their own guidelines was based on politics 
rather than public-safety. I was further convinced of this fact when I 
received highly unusual lobbying call from the FDA against this bill 
last week.
  The truth is, this bill will force the FDA's hand--they can and they 
will be required to implement a safe reimportation program within six 
months.
  The lobbying campaign by the Pharmaceutical Industry in opposition to 
this legislation has been very distasteful--many of the tactics they 
employed were just plain dishonest. Americans continue to pay 
prescription drug prices that are 30 to 300 percent more than in 
European and other industrialized nations including Canada. This bill 
will finally force the most profitable industry in the world to give 
American citizens some relief from this outlandish price 
discrimination.
  Thank you Mr. Speaker and I yield back the balance of my time.

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