[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 9 (Wednesday, February 2, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E144]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        INTRODUCTION OF THE PRESCRIPTION DRUG AFFORDABILITY ACT

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                             HON. RON PAUL

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, February 2, 2005

  Mr. PAUL. Mr. Speaker, I rise to introduce the Prescription Drug 
Affordability Act. This legislation ensures that millions of Americans, 
including seniors, have access to affordable pharmaceutical products. 
My bill makes pharmaceuticals more affordable to seniors by reducing 
their taxes. It also removes needless government barriers to importing 
pharmaceuticals and it protects Internet pharmacies, which are making 
affordable prescription drugs available to millions of Americans, from 
being strangled by Federal regulation.
  The first provision of my legislation provides seniors a tax credit 
equal to 80 percent of their prescription drug costs. While Congress 
did add a prescription drug benefit to Medicare in the last Congress, 
many seniors still have difficulty affording the prescription drugs 
they need in order to maintain an active and healthy lifestyle. One 
reason is because the new program creates a ``doughnut hole,'' where 
seniors lose coverage once their prescription expenses reach a certain 
amount and must pay for their prescriptions above a certain amount out 
of their own pockets until their expenses reach a level where Medicare 
coverage resumes. This tax credit will help seniors cover the expenses 
provided by the doughnut hole. This bill will also help seniors obtain 
prescription medicines that may not be covered by the new Medicare 
prescription drug program.
  In addition to making prescription medications more affordable for 
seniors, my bill lowers the price for prescription medicines by 
reducing barriers to the importation of FDA-approved pharmaceuticals. 
Under my bill, anyone wishing to import a drug simply submits an 
application to the FDA, which then must approve the drug unless the FDA 
finds the drug is either not approved for use in the United States or 
is adulterated or misbranded. This process will make safe and 
affordable imported medicines affordable to millions of Americans. Mr. 
Speaker, letting the free market work is the best means of lowering the 
cost of prescription drugs.
  I need not remind my colleagues that many senior citizens and other 
Americans impacted by the high costs of prescription medicine have 
demanded Congress reduce the barriers which prevent American consumers 
from purchasing imported pharmaceuticals. Congress has responded to 
these demands by repeatedly passing legislation liberalizing the rules 
governing the importation of pharmaceuticals. However, implementation 
of this provision has been blocked by the Federal bureaucracy. It is 
time Congress stood up for the American consumer and removed all 
unnecessary regulations on importing pharmaceuticals.
  The Prescription Drug Affordability Act also protects consumers' 
access to affordable medicine by forbidding the Federal Government from 
regulating any Internet sales of FDA-approved pharmaceuticals by State-
licensed pharmacists.
  As I am sure my colleagues are aware, the Internet makes 
pharmaceuticals and other products more affordable and accessible for 
millions of Americans. However, the Federal Government has threatened 
to destroy this option by imposing unnecessary and unconstitutional 
regulations on web sites that sell pharmaceuticals. Any Federal 
regulations would inevitably drive up prices of pharmaceuticals, thus 
depriving many consumers of access to affordable prescription 
medications.
  In conclusion, Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to make 
pharmaceuticals more affordable and accessible by lowering taxes on 
senior citizens, removing barriers to the importation of 
pharmaceuticals and protecting legitimate Internet pharmacies from 
needless regulation by cosponsoring the Prescription Drug Affordability 
Act.

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