President Trump’s plan to allow the importation of certain drugs from Canada is facing new challenges from the Canadian government, according to The Hill.
The government is concerned that its national supply of drugs is too small to also supply the U.S., which has the highest cost of drugs in the world. In addition, U.S. drugmakers are not happy about the plan, arguing the plan doesn’t protect the wellbeing of patients. However, the Trump administration isn’t backing down from its plan, the Safe Importation Action Plan, which was announced in July.
Trump has made lowering drug prices a major piece of his agenda, though hundreds of drugs saw higher prices in 2019. The FDA will release a proposal to allow states to import cheaper drugs in January. Already, four states––Florida, Colorado, Vermont and Maine––are drafting proposals for HHS to allow the importation of drugs.
It is unclear if Canada will go along with the plan. In addition, the U.S. pharmaceutical industry is putting up a front.
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Amy joined TriMed Media as a Senior Writer for HealthExec after covering home care for three years. When not writing about all things healthcare, she fulfills her lifelong dream of becoming a pirate by sailing in regattas and enjoying rum. Fun fact: she sailed 333 miles across Lake Michigan in the Chicago Yacht Club "Race to Mackinac."