[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 112 (Friday, July 25, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1659]
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. NICK SMITH

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 24, 2003

  Mr. SMITH of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, this legislation is designed to 
lower the high prices for prescription drugs in this country by 
allowing Americans to import from twenty-five developed countries 
including Canada and most of Western Europe. Prescription drug costs 
are significantly lower in these countries than they are in the United 
States. Drug companies have been charging more to Americans, I think, 
because we have been willing to pay.
  But it is not right to expect American consumers to subsidize 
prescription drug prices for other industrial countries. By holding 
American consumers in a captive market, prices for drugs here have been 
able to climb an average of 77 percent above prices found in other 
countries.
  Because of the huge difference between what Americans pay for 
prescription drugs here and what they can pay just across the border, 
these drugs are already making their way to Michigan by the busload. 
This bill will simply expand access to increased savings for all 
Americans and require FDA to ensure the authenticity and safety of 
these products.
  The Medicare Prescription Drug bill we passed last month did nothing 
to address the skyrocketing costs of prescription drugs, and simply 
committed the government to picking up part of the tab. Unfortunately, 
this means that Americans can now get fleeced by these costs as both 
consumers and taxpayers. Opening up drug prices to an international 
market while limiting purchases to drugs approved by the FDA and 
produced in FDA approved facilities will help assure safety and help 
keep costs down.

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