[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 147 (2001), Part 9]
[Senate]
[Page 12857]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



                           PRESCRIPTION DRUGS

  Ms. STABENOW. Mr. President, I rise to express grave disappointment 
and concern that yesterday the Secretary of Health and Human Services, 
Tommy Thompson, indicated he would not implement a bipartisan law 
passed by this Congress last session. This legislation would open the 
borders of our country so that American citizens, who pay for a good 
share of the research done on prescription drugs in this country, to 
support the development of medications that are desperately needed, 
could get the best price for American-made, FDA-safety-approved 
medications from other countries such as Canada.
  Last year, Congress passed a bill that says we will no longer protect 
the prices charged in this country that disadvantage our citizens by 
stopping us from free commerce across the border. I supported this 
effort in the House of Representatives. I find it ironic, at a time 
when our President talks about wanting free trade authority and 
expanding free trade, that we stop our citizens at the border from 
being able to benefit from free trade regarding the purchase of 
prescription drugs.
  Yesterday, the Secretary of Health and Human Services said he was 
concerned about the safety of reimported prescription drugs. We 
addressed those concerns in the previously approved legislation. 
Further, I have introduced legislation called the Medication Equity and 
Drug Savings Act, S. 215, the MEDS Act, that addresses the safety 
concerns expressed by former Secretary Shalala. My bill guarantees in 
the clearest terms that American labels will be used on the wholesale 
products that come from another country and that there will be complete 
safety precautions to make sure Americans will be receiving American-
made, safe, FDA-approved drugs.
  What is the difference in cost for prescription drugs? The difference 
is clear when I stand in Detroit, MI, and I look across the river, I 
know that prices for American-made prescription drugs can be cut in 
half for my constituents with a quick 5 minute drive across the bridge 
to Canada. In some cases, the savings are even greater. Tamoxifen, a 
breast cancer treatment drug, is $136 a month in Michigan. Last year, 
we drove across the bridge with a group of seniors to purchase the 
exact same medicine; the price was only $15. There is something wrong 
with this picture.
  The bill the Secretary chose not to implement would have begun to 
address this price difference by opening the borders, to make sure our 
hospitals, our businesses, and our pharmacists, could develop business 
relationships with wholesalers in other countries to bring back drugs 
at a lower cost and make sure our citizens could get medication at 
lower prices.
  Today I urge my colleagues to join together again in a bipartisan way 
to act. We must guarantee that this law will be put into effect this 
year, whether it be by passing my legislation, making changes on 
another bill, or including it in Medicare prescription drug legislation 
which is so critical. We must act now. Over and over again I hear from 
families in my State and States across our country. Families, seniors, 
individuals with disabilities, and working people with ailments are all 
concerned about the high costs of prescription drugs. People are having 
to choose between paying the electric bill, getting their food, or 
getting their medicine. In the great United States of America, this 
great country, that should not be happening.
  I express grave concern and disappointment about the decision and the 
information released yesterday by the Secretary. I urge him and invite 
all my colleagues to join with me to address this issue in a way that 
will allow opening of the borders to reaffirm competition for the best, 
lowest price for the safest prescription drugs that are manufactured in 
this country, that our citizens help to subsidize. Whether through the 
R&D tax credit, through funding the Federal labs, or through other 
efforts, taxpayers help to develop these prescriptions. We helped fund 
the development of the medication, and Americans pay top dollar 
compared to anybody in the world for these same prescription drugs. It 
is not right.
  It is time now to act to make sure we can truly reduce the costs of 
one of the most important parts of the health care system today--
medicines for our people, for the families of America. We deserve a 
break. Unfortunately, the roadblock was maintained yesterday. It is 
time to take down the barrier at the border and allow our people to buy 
prescription drugs wherever they can get the best price. I urge we act 
as quickly as possible.
  Mr. BURNS. I suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. The clerk will call the roll.
  The assistant legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. BURNS. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for 
the quorum call be rescinded.
  The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. Without objection, it is so 
ordered.

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