| Press Release |
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| August 19, 2004 |
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Governor Calls for Federal Approval of Oregon's Plan to Import Prescription Drugs from Canada
Governor Ted Kulongoski today announced that he has sent a letter to U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Tommy Thompson requesting a federal waiver to allow Oregon to import FDA-approved medications from Canada. In events in Medford and Portland, the governor also unveiled his “Pioneer Prescription Drug Project,” the structure for Oregon’s reimportation effort.
The governor announced in May 2004 that he was working with the Board of Pharmacy to develop a plan for reimportation that would contain safeguards to protect consumers and ensure affordability. In May, the governor said he intended to submit a request for the necessary federal waiver once the plan was completed; he has now submitted the waiver and has asked for a response from the federal government within 30 days.
“The waiver request I just sent to Secretary Thompson is the last step that has to be completed for us to provide the relief Oregonians need from the skyrocketing price of prescription drugs,” said the governor. “Oregon already has the tools in place to import prescription drugs from Canada that both meet the highest standard of quality and ensure real cost-savings for the people of Oregon. With the federal government’s approval, we will be able to put these tools to use and help Oregonians afford the medicine they need.”
The governor was joined at both press conferences by representatives of the Oregon AARP and the Oregon Association of Retired Americans; both organizations announced their support for the governor’s plan.
The governor’s Pioneer Prescription Drug Project contains measures to ensure both drug safety and affordability. Under the proposal, Oregonians will have access through their local pharmacy to safe, affordable medicines imported from Canada.
“Consumers will be able to take advantage of lower prescription prices while continuing to use their trusted, licensed Oregon pharmacist,” said the governor. “This both protects the health and safety of the individual, and maintains the integrity of the pharmaceutical distribution network.”
Oregon’s Board of Pharmacy (OBOP) will serve as the regulatory authority to ensure the safety and authenticity of the drug supply in several ways:
- OBOP will implement stringent licensing requirements for Canadian pharmaceutical wholesalers. In order to participate in the Pioneer Project, Canadian companies will be required to meet the same safety standards OBOP requires of U.S. wholesale drug outlets.
- OBOP will require that medicines originate only from approved manufacturing locations in Canada. They will routinely test medicines for safety; establish safe labeling, tracking and shipping procedures; and closely monitor compliance with established procedures.
- Oregon pharmacists will be able to choose whether or not to participate in the Pioneer Project and only licensed Oregon pharmacists will be eligible. The Oregon pharmacists who elect to participate will have to register with OBOP and will only be allowed to import pharmaceutical products approved by the Board and supplied by approved Canadian wholesalers.
- OBOP will require pharmacists to store inventories of imported medicines separately from the rest of their inventory and track them appropriately. Working with participating wholesalers and pharmacies, OBOP will also establish protocols for a cross-border recall process.
The governor’s Pioneer Project will also help ensure affordability by including only those prescription drugs for which potential savings can be demonstrated. A fixed dispensing rate will be established that will be regulated by the Oregon Board of Pharmacy to assure that Canadian price savings are passed along to Oregon consumers.
In order to provide the maximum benefit to consumers who need price relief most - and to streamline administration of the Project for Oregon pharmacists - pharmaceuticals available through the Oregon Project will not be eligible for reimbursement by insurance.
During his remarks at the press conference, the governor called on the federal administration to respond to his waiver request within 30 days.
“Paying for prescription drugs is a daily struggle for many of our most vulnerable citizens, and we must act now - every day that passes is another day that Oregonians are trapped by the skyrocketing price of prescription drugs with no relief,” said the governor.
Congressman Peter DeFazio lauded the governor’s plan.
"I am pleased the Governor is taking action to relieve Oregonians from the debilitating costs of pharmaceutical drugs," said DeFazio. "While reimportation is not a panacea, it will help ease the stress on seniors and others who can´t afford to fill their prescriptions and pay their bills every month. While the Bush administration, in concert with well-connected drug companies have resorted to scare tactics, claiming reimported drugs from Canada were unsafe, the truth is that the drug supply chain in Canada is safer and more closely regulated than the drug supply chain in the U.S."
Media Contact:
Marian Hammond, 503-378-6169
Anna Richter-Taylor, 503-378-6496
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