[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 1 (Wednesday, January 5, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E7]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          INTRODUCING THE PRESCRIPTION DRUG AFFORDABILITY ACT

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                             HON. RON PAUL

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, January 5, 2011

  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 act 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 Prescription Drug Affordability Act brings competition to the 
market for pharmaceutical products by allowing anyone wishing to import 
a drug to simply submit 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 U.S. 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 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 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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