Senator Maggie Hassan Statement on Canadian Drug Importation

WASHINGTON – In response to the announcement from the Departments of Health and Human Services and the Food and Drug Administration of a proposal that would allow Americans to import some prescription drugs from Canada and other countries, U.S. Senator Maggie Hassan issued the following statement:

“The stories I hear from constituents struggling to afford prescription drugs are totally outrageous – they shouldn’t have to drive to Canada, or struggle to keep the lights on, because of how expensive their medications are. I appreciate that the Administration says it will take initial steps to allow the safe importation of prescription drugs from places like Canada, but we’ve heard a lot of talk on prescription drugs from the Administration before, and it’s critical that this is backed up by real action.

“This does not change the fact that we must take comprehensive actions to bring down prescription drug costs in our country. I was proud to help advance a bipartisan bill in the Senate Finance Committee to hold pharmaceutical companies accountable and lower drug prices, capping out-of-pocket costs for Medicare Part D beneficiaries in particular. And I will continue to work with the Administration and my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to address skyrocketing prescription drug costs so that no Granite Stater has to worry about how they will afford life-saving medication."

Last week, Senator Hassan helped advance the bipartisan Prescription Drug Pricing Reduction Act, which would enact a cap on out-of-pocket prescription drug costs for Medicare Part D beneficiaries and crack down on pharmaceutical companies that raise drug prices higher than inflation. The bipartisan bill has been endorsed by the White House as well as patient groups including AARP, the Campaign for Sustainable Rx Pricing, and Patients for Affordable Drugs Now.

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