Congresswoman Anne Northup (R-Kentucky):
“Last year, the House passed a bill that would allow American consumers to purchase their prescription medications at world-class prices, saving them and all tax payers millions of dollars each year. I encourage the Senate to listen to their constituents who want to see this legislation become a reality, and pass a responsible importation bill this year.”
http://bernie.house.gov - July 23, 2004
Congressman Bernie Sanders (I-Vermont):
“It is shameful that a year has passed and there has been no action by the Senate on the reimportation of safe prescription drugs from abroad. Republicans, Democrats, mayors, governors, states, and city councils are all supportive of reimportation, but the Senate continues to turn a deaf ear. This issue now is just about whether Americans will be forced to pay the highest prices in the world for prescription drugs – it is about whether the Senate will turn its back on ten of millions of Americans who desperately need lower prices for the medicines they rely on each day to survive.”
http://bernie.house.gov - July 23, 2004
“Seniors on those (bus) trips often buy drugs in Canada for a tenth of the cost of what they would pay in America for drugs often produced at American plants.”
Deseret News.com - July 15, 2004
“This issue is not just about whether Americans will be forced to pay the highest prices in the world for prescription drugs – it is about whether Congress will turn its back on tens of millions of Americans who desperately need lower prices for the medicines they rely on each day to survive. The United States Congress must have the courage to do what they may no longer corner our sick and dying into an isolated, monopolized market and force them to pay outrageous prices for their medicines.”
Bernie Sanders Official Website - July 14, 2004
“Americans need help right now to combat high drug prices, and that the safety concerns are illegitimate excuses by the pharmaceutical companies and their supporters to keep drug profits high.”
The Time-Picayune - July 15, 2004
Congressman Dan Burton (R-Indiana):
“As our economy continues to recover, states, cities, and municipalities across the country have turned to importation programs as a means of saving valuable taxpayer dollars, which in turn can be redirected to other priority needs such as schools, hospitals, and police departments. It is time for our colleagues in the Senate to get serious about providing seniors with affordable prescription drugs, and finally pass responsible importation legislation this year.”
http://bernie.house.gov - July 23, 2004
“Tennesseans could save millions of dollars if we imported prescription drugs from Canada. Just looking at the top 20 drugs used by TennCare, taxpayers could save $181 million if we imported those same drugs from Canada. This is about giving our citizens access to affordable prescription drugs. The legislature doesn't need to wait for Congress or the federal government to tell us it's ok to act, we need to exercise courage and leadership. The profits big drug companies are extracting at the expense of the health of Tennessee consumers are morally offensive. The drugs from Canada are safe and affordable, there's no reason why they shouldn't be available to Tennessee consumers.”
The Chattanoogan.com - December 8, 2004
Congressman Gil Gutknecht (R-Minnesota):
“One year ago, the House overwhelmingly passed landmark legislation to allow American consumers access to FDA-approved prescription drugs from FDA-approved facilities in 25 countries. Today, we're still waiting for the Senate to take action. I hope the Senate isn't trying to run down the clock on this issue. American consumers have waited long enough for what they deserve: world-class prescription drugs at world market prices.”
http://bernie.house.gov - July 23, 2004
Congressman Jim DeMint (R-South Carolina):
“Americans are now getting a raw deal. Our own drug companies are selling drugs made in this country to Canada and European countries for half and even a third of what they sell it to us. Local pharmacies should have the right to purchase prescription drugs at the lowest cost, whether it's from companies in America or another country. This is one way that we can reduce the cost of prescriptions for Americans and we need to pursue this aggressively.”
Associated Press - August 4, 2004
Congresswoman Jo Ann Davis (R-Virginia):
"Prescription drugs, which provide life saving treatment and can dramatically improve an individual's quality of life, are also a cost effective means of healthcare. However, the steadily rising costs of prescription drugs is making these drugs and treatment unattainable. This is simply unacceptable. I find it inherently unfair that citizens of other countries can purchase drugs at drastically lower prices than Americans, For this reason, I strongly support legislation to permit the importation of prescription drugs. I am proud to have voted for legislation in the House to allow importation of prescription drugs, and I am proud to endorse the Senate effort as well."
Journal Press - August 25, 2004
"Allowing seniors to import drugs from other countries just makes sense, and it is time we make this happen. It is my hope that drug importation legislation will soon be signed into law, making affordable prescription drugs a reality."
Journal Press - August 25, 2004
Congresswoman Jo Ann Emerson (R-Missouri):
“In the year since the House of Representatives overwhelmingly approved importation of safe, secure prescription drugs from foreign countries, much progress has been made. But it is even more clear from the broadening debate that this policy is necessary to help bring down prices for all Americans. Drug companies won't do it on their own. The Senate must act to move this policy forward and bring price relief to the millions of Americans who rely on prescription drugs in their battle with disease and illness.”
http://bernie.house.gov - July 23, 2004
Congressman Joe Donnelly (D-Indiana):
“Working families and all families deserve the opportunity to purchase their drugs from Canada and put the savings right in their pockets. In over two decades, there has not been a single instance of unsafe pharmaceutical products coming into the United States from Canada”
South Bend Tribune - July 1, 2004
Congressman Marion Berry (D-Arkansas):
“Today we put the first candle on the cake commemorating the one-year anniversary of re-importation legislation passing the house; now we must light a fire under the Senate to finally pass the same legislation. Skyrocketing drug prices have left seniors desperately looking for options and a year ago today the House of Representatives gave them one: an option that would have shed millions from the nation's drug bills. A year ago today, this chamber gave America's seniors the ability to purchase safe medicines at significant savings from Canada and 25 other industrialized nations. I am hopeful that our next gathering will be to celebrate the passage of meaningful prescription drug coverage for seniors including an ability to purchase medicine at the same prices the rest of the industrialized world pays.”
http://bernie.house.gov - July 23, 2004
Congressman Peter DeFazio (D-Oregon):
“If they have access to a computer and the Internet or prescription drugs from Canada, they could probably do better on their own. We have free trade when jobs are being taken overseas, but not to bring drugs into this country from Canada.”
The News Review - August 4, 2004
Congressman Rahm Emanuel (D-Illinois):
“Here are the accomplishments in the year since the importation bill passed: prices on top drugs used by seniors have increased 3.4 percent in the first quarter of 2004 alone; seniors have been disappointed by a confusing Medicare discount card that hasn't lived up to its promise; and importation – a solution supported by a bipartisan majority in Congress and two thirds of the American people – has been stalled by the power of the pharmaceutical industry. Our seniors and taxpayers deserve better.”
http://bernie.house.gov - July 23, 2004
“We've turned our seniors into coyotes, they're running over to Canada to get drugs.”
Chicago Sun-Times - August 18, 2004
“People from all over the world come to the United States for their medical care, yet Americans are forced to go all over the world for their medication.”
The Winnipeg Sun - July 14, 2004
Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (D-Connecticut):
“One year ago, Members of the House Of Representatives from both parties voted to ensure that the American people would have access to safe, affordable prescription drugs from other western countries. The bill has passed the House with much jubilation, a signal to the American people that the days of artificially high drug prices and drug company profiteering were coming to an end. Unfortunately, one year later, a similar bill in the Senate has not been allowed to come to the floor for a vote. This means that American seniors continue to pay more for the same prescription drugs than their counterparts pay across the border in Canada. This is unacceptable. We will keep working as long as it takes to open our markets to safe, affordable prescription drugs.”
http://bernie.house.gov - July 23, 2004
“The bus trips show just how ludicrous it is for U.S. citizens, especially older Americans, to have to go to Canada to purchase lower-cost medicines because of the lack of a prescription drug plan within the Medicare program. We must bear in mind for every person making a trip to Canada, there are others whoa re far worse off physically and who need lower-priced medications even more. Unfortunately, they cannot physically take a bus.”
Senior Journal.com - August 17, 2004
Congressman Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio):
“Thanks to Republican leadership's stall tactics, the only thing that's happened on importation is we're all a year older. The American people need to tell Senator Frist and the Republican leadership that they want an importation bill on President Bush's desk before the November elections.”
http://bernie.house.gov - July 23, 2004
Congressman Steve Israel (D-New York):
“The savings from the discount cards are almost worthless and it would be an infinitely better deal if the government could negotiate lower drug prices for seniors, like it currently does for U.S. Veterans, or re-import drugs from Canada. Instead of relying on these cheap discount cards, plastic gimmicks, this report proves that the government ought to just allow for safe re-importation”
Suffolk Life Newspapers - July 28, 2004
Congressman Tim Bishop (New York):
“I am outraged that the prescription drug bill has done nothing to lower drug prices. The so-called discount cards have been a flop.”
Suffolk Life Newspapers - July 28, 2004
Barry Piatt, a spokesman for Sen. Byron Dorgan, D-ND:
“The pharmaceutical industry does a lot of good things for people, but the fact remains they overcharge American consumers for prescriptions to the tune of billions of dollars a year.”
Los Angeles Times - July 27, 2005.
Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist:
“Misleading drug advertising hurts patients and definitely pressures doctors to over prescribe, warning that it's time for drug companies to clean up their act. If the don't, Congress will. ”
The Kansas City Star - July 21, 2005
Senator John Whitmire (D-Houston):
"I personally see nothing wrong in purchasing drugs from Canada with proper safeguards."
Houston Chronicle - May 23, 2005
Says it's time for the United States to let lower-priced drugs be imported from other countries:
"One thing we need to do is to introduce competition in the market for prescription drugs. That may mean taking action that makes us unpopular with some very powerful and very wealthy interest groups. We need to question why, when other businesses are going bankrupt because of health care costs, the American drug industry makes unheard-of profits."
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel - May 3, 2005
Senator Doug Jackson (D-Dickson):
"Tennesseans stand to save millions of dollars if we import prescription drugs from Canada. A survey I conducted of the most popular patented prescription drugs shows that in almost every case, consumers would realize a savings of 50 percent or more if the same drugs were purchased from Canada or abroad. The drugs from Canada are safe and affordable. There's no reason why they shouldn't be available to Tennessee consumers."
The Chattanoogan.com -April 28, 2005
Senator David Vitter (R-Louisiana):
"Prescription drug prices are killing all of us and it's particularly tough on seniors on limited incomes. So this sort of price relief is very, very important..."
January 26, 2005 - KLFY.com
Senator Herbert Kohl (D-Wisconsin):
"It's time for the administration to stop defending the status quo, issuing reports and setting up new roadblocks and start working with Congress to give Americans the price relief and safety assurance they need and deserve."
January 26, 2005 - Globe and Mail
Senator James Leddy, D-South Burlington / Chair of the Health and Welfare Committee:
"Our federal government has at best obstructed and at worst denied access of our citizens to drugs coming from Canada."
January 28, 2005 - The Times Argus
Senator Gordon Smith (R-Oregon):
"It does seem to me that if we can import cars and other farm products and even regulate beef from Canada that of late has had some concern, we have to find a regimen for allowing this to happen legally (Drug importation)."
January 26, 2005 - Globe and Mail
"I have heard from many Oregonians who tell me that their choice is simple, purchase drugs from Canada or another foreign source or go without their medications."
January 27, 2005 - Gannett News Service
Barry Piatt Spokesman for Senator Byron Dorgan (D-North Dakota):
"We are determined to pass drug importation legislation in the Senate this year in order to put downward pressure on prescription drug prices."
Financial Times - February 1, 2005
"It's going to happen and it's going to pass. Reimportation will save Americans who desperately need more affordable prescription medicine millions, if not billions, of dollars."
Newsday.com - September 20, 2004
Senator Blanche Lincoln (D-Arkansas):
“America's seniors unfairly pay the highest prices in the world for pharmaceuticals, and Congress should look for every opportunity to ease this burden.”
Arkansas News Bureau - August 6, 2004
Senator Byron Dorgan (D-North Dakota):
"The only thing endangered by allowing Americans access to lower-priced FDA-approved medicines from abroad is the incredibly large profits of the drug companies who over-price their medicines in our market, just because they can."
Bangor Daily News - January 3, 2005
“It's a bizarre provision to put in a trade agreement. It's anti-consumer and pro-pharmaceutical industry.”
Charleston Daily Mail - July 15, 2004
“It's a way to thwart efforts to put downward pressure on drug prices. It's anticonsumer negotiating on behalf of the pharmaceutical industry.”
Boston.com - July 13, 2004
Senator Charles Schumer (D-New York):
“We want to try to pass next year a bill that allows prescription drugs to be imported from Canada.”
Uticaod.com - October 28, 2004
“New Yorkers are paying hundreds more a year than Canadian just across the border for just one prescription. We need to allow re-importation now and that is why I am opposing the proposed agreement.”
Little Falls Times - July 17, 2004
Senator Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa):
“Imports create competition and keep domestic industry more responsive. In the United States, we import everything consumers want. So why not pharmaceuticals?
Maine Today.com - February 10, 2005
“We're committed to get this done” (to allow broader importation of prescription drugs from Canada and other countries.)
Des Moines Register - February 10, 2005
“Drugs are the only thing the United States does not import, and I feel that people should be able to choose that, just as they decide whether to buy a T-shirt from Taiwan, because competition is good.”
Sioux City Journal - July 29, 2004
Senator Deborah Ortiz (D-California):
“The proposed legislation recognizes millions of Californians are already purchasing their prescription drugs from Canada. We ought not delude ourselves into believing this is not a practice that is out there. How do we protect our residents? By allowing them to understand the risks as well as the safe places that are providing what they profess to be offering through the Internet.”
The Winnipeg Sun - July 28, 2004
“We found these drugs (Canadian) are safe, available and ready for importation. Now we need Governor Schwarzenegger to back our legislative efforts to provide every Californian who depends on prescription drugs with a legal, affordable and continuous supply.”
PR Newswire - August 10, 2004
Democratic state Sen. Daniel Mongiardo:
"A big cash cow for the drug industry that does not absolutely nothing to lower drug prices for seniors."
Kentucky.com - September 19, 2004
Senator Herb Kohl (D-Wisconsin):
"Letting American pharmacies import cheaper drugs from Canada would force prices down by 20 to 40 percent. Pharmaceutical companies should have to deal with competition too."
"Whose side is the Bush administration on? So far, they are on the side of the drug companies. People are being harmed by national policies that don't allow importation of cheaper medications."
The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel - August 7, 2004
“The bill would totally allow importation of prescription drugs from other countries like Canada with full FDA safety inspections as many as you could possible want or imagine.”
WAOW News - August 5, 2004
Senator John Edwards Democrat:
“There are lots of Republican governors who are fighting to try to get this done, we know it can be done safely.”
NCTimes.com - October 22, 2004
“As health care costs soar, and the economy continues to drag, America's seniors and families struggle. Millions of Americans are being forced to choose between the food they need to survive and the drugs they need to feel better. These are not choices any American should have to make.”
Pharmacy Times.com - August 14, 2004
Senator John Kerry (D-Massachsettes):
"He can't even make up his mind about importing drugs from Canada. Not only has he not made up his mind but President Bush has opposed our efforts. Now just the other day the president began to waver on this. Do you think he's reading the polls?"
The Toronto Star - August 20, 2004
"George Bush stood right there and said 'Nope, we're not going to help people to have lower cost drugs in America, we're going to help the big drug companies get a great big windfall.' It's a monopoly and its been put in place by George Bush and his friends and its costing you a whole bunch of extra money and its wrong."
The Associated Press - August 11, 2004
"Let me tell you about my values. I believe that health care isn't just a privilege for the wealthy, the connected or the elected - but a right for all Americans. I believe health care costs shouldn't be driving families and businesses into debt. And I think it's just plain wrong that the greatest generation is still making the greatest sacrifices for our country."
U.S. Newswire - August 26, 2004
Senator Judd Gregg (R-New Hampshire):
“Many people are already trying to buy drugs over the Internet. The genie can't be put back into the bottle and the attempt here is to make sure the bottle the genie comes out of won't kill you”
Pharmacy Times - June 11, 2004
Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska):
“I am prepared to support drug reimportation if assurances and mechanisms can be devised to ensure the safety and origin of those drugs. That is precisely what we are working on in the Senate.”
Anchorage Daily News - June 26, 2004
“I have supported imports. I will support imports.”
Fairbanks Daily News-Miner - September 29, 2004
Senator Olympia Snowe (R-Maine):
“We see it in Maine and across the country – Americans whose lives are harmed by the inability to afford life-saving medications.”
Maine Today.com - February 10, 2005
“Drugs, if they're not affordable, can't be effective, and in my state just recently three individuals were hospitalized because they could not afford medication. So I think that the federal government needs to use every tool available to negotiate lower prices and to be in a position to leverage lower prices.”
Bangor Publishing Company - January 31, 2005
“The greatest remaining risk to Americans and one not included in the key findings of the report - is that if Americans cannot afford to fill prescriptions, the benefits of medications are lost.”
Bangor Daily News - January 3, 2005
“I think in the end it is inevitable that we get this legislation. Once it gets to the floor, I think the train is leaving the station.”
Reuters - July 14, 2004
Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vermont):
“Stop asking whether we can set up a (safe) system to provide importation. Of course we can.”
Courier-Journal.com - August 16, 2004
Senator Ron Klein (D-Florida):
"I think Gov. Rod Blagojevich is showing great leadership in solving a huge problem for our seniors. It's recognition that the Medicare prescription drug plan doesn't address. I would like to see the Florida Legislature and Governor Jeb Bush do the same thing. I have yet to introduce state legislation in favour of prescription drug reimportation laws."
Boca Raton News - August 23, 2004
Democratic Senator Russ Feingold:
“We cannot allow this situation to go on. And we certainly cannot count on the drug companies to change things. We all know seniors shouldn't have to choose between paying for medicines and paying for food or rent. If Americans had paid Canadian prices for brand-name drugs in 2001, they would have saved $38 billion. This isn't a situation where seniors will save a penny here and a penny there.”
The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel - August 7, 2004
Senator Tom Daschle (D-South Dakota):
“We've got a crisis, a quiet crisis that's growing. It's something people don't like to talk about, because it's so personal. A lot of people say we've got the best health care system in the world. Well, it's time to face reality.”
Rapid City Journal.com - August 16, 2004
Gov. Christine Gregoire -Washington
""This bill says to the federal government, show us what's wrong with Canadian prescription drugs? Why shouldn't our citizens be allowed to buy safe, affordable prescription drugs?"
Reuters -May 7, 2005
Governor Brad Henry (Oklahoma):
"I believe Oklahomans, particularly senior citizens, should have access to affordable prescription drugs, and I will do everything I can to make that happen, whether it involves some form of a reimportation program or another initiative."
The Daily Ardmoreite - August 31, 2004
Governor Craig Benson (New Hampshire):
"To not look at Rx re-importation, as a common sense solution, would be irresponsible. My administration will take the necessary steps to provide affordable health care."
Concord Monitor Online - August 19, 2004
“I like all New Hampshire residents to be able to buy medicine in Canada, where prices are often much cheaper.”
Concord Monitor Online - August 17, 2004
"Vermont will not sit back and watch as the cost of health insurance and prescription drugs continues to rise."
Vermont Press Bureau - August 20, 2004
"Vermont will sue the Federal Food and Drug Administration for rejecting the state's plan to import prescription drugs from Canada."
The Chicago Tribune - August 19, 2004
"Congress should act immediately to legalize the reimportation of lower cost drugs from Canada, increase competition among brand name manufacturers, speed the approval of generic drugs and preserve state's ability to pool their purchases and negotiate deep discounts with manufacturers."
The Associated Press - August 11, 2004
Governor Jim Doyle (D-Wisconsin):
“This is a pretty simple issue; the government can either be on the side of drug companies or on the side of people who need affordable prescription drugs. I choose to be on the side of people who need affordable prescription drugs. We have a very easy answer. We just need to look north to Canada.”
Madison.com - September 21, 2004
“Although we have within our grasp the means to lower costs through the re-importation of safe, affordable prescription drugs from Canada, the federal government will not allow this option to be fully pursued. Residents and businesses in Canada can purchase prescription drugs for a fraction of what we pay in the United States. I've set up a Web site that allows citizens to take advantage of those lower prices, and I have pressured the U.S. Food & Drug Administration to expand this option for small businesses and residents. Unfortunately, instead of supporting the free trade that would help Americans who are struggling to afford their medications, they have stood in the way. The federal government has continually opposed efforts by Wisconsin and other states to give citizens access to safe, lower price prescription drugs. Only recently have lawmakers realized that the Bush administration's position could have major implications for health policy and programs in the United States, according to the New York Times.”
Wisbusiness.com - August 7, 2004
Governor Challenger Mitch Daniels (Indiana):
"I would not stand in the way of any American citizen who wants to go elsewhere for their drugs as long as they know the risk they're running."
E-Truth.com - September 26, 2004
Governor Tim Pawlenty (R-Minnesota):
"We search the world market for the best deal for American consumers and I don't think we should carve out and make an exception for prescription drugs... The FDA should join us in a partnership with Minnesota and demonstrate that we can do this safely, with government inspection and oversight."
MSNBC - September 23, 2004
Governor Rod Blagojevich (D-Illinois):
"The federal government has failed to act so it's time we do"
Courier Post Online - August 20, 2004
"We can't keep asking the 500, 000 senior citizens who live in Illinois and lack prescription drug coverage to keep deciding, do I pay for my medicine? Or do I pay for my groceries?"
The Saratogian - August 20, 2004
“There is nothing in the law that prohibits us from doing this. The FDA simply said we shouldn't do it. I believe it's not only legal, but more importantly it's the right thing to do for our senior citizens, for working families, for kids who need medicine.”
Chicago Sun-Times - August 18, 2004
“We have taken every possible step we could think of to convince the FDA, and convince the Congress, and anyone and everyone who will listen, that people across Illinois, and across our country, deserve access to safe and lower-cost prescription drugs. The federal government has failed to act. So it's time that we do. We can't keep asking the 500,000 senior citizens who live in Illinois and lack prescription drug coverage to keep deciding, ‘Do I pay for my medicine or do I pay for my groceries?' These are real choices people have to make every single day.”
Sun-Sentinel.com - August 18, 2004
"With health care costs escalating, far too many Oregonians especially seniors are unable to afford medications they need. No Oregonian should have to choose between paying for food, shelter, or their medication. There is currently an importation program in place, but it isn't endorsed by the United States government."
Associated Press - August 20, 2004
"I am continuing to push for approval of a plan to import prescription drugs from Canada. Iowans are suffering more than other states because of the high number of senior citizens and people on fixed incomes."
Eyewitness News - August 26, 2004
Governor Tim Pawlenty of Minnesota:
"The Canadian government should not slam the door on American consumers seeking more affordable prescriptions medicines from safe Canadian pharmacies. The proposed change in Canada's prescription drug policy would have serious effects on the pocketbooks and well-being of the more than 2 million Americans who buy their prescription medicines from Canada. In the unfortunate event that Canada changes its policy, we will seek a way to keep our MinnesotaRxConnect.com website operating by facilitating purchases from European countries with safe pharmacy systems."
PharmaLive - December 29, 2004
Senate Candidate Barack Obama (D-Illinois):
“We need protection for our nation's seniors, not protectionism for drug companies.”
The Northwest Herald August - 11, 2004
Republican Bob Schaffer (Colorado):
“reimportation can lead to an end of reimportation.”
Rocky Mountain News - July 21, 2004
Senate Candidate Paul Van Dam (D-Utah):
"I am disappointed at the government's unwillingness to bargain with drug and pharmaceutical companies to reduce prescription drug prices and allow prescription drugs to be reimported from Canada. Canada is a well-developed country with laws dealing in this type of thing. We have nothing to fear whatsoever."
The Spectrum.com - September 20, 2004
Senator Edward Kennedy of Massachusetts :
“We need an FDA that looks out for the health of patients and not just the health of the pharmaceutical industry. Lives are at stake, and the president should put an FDA leadership team in place right away, with no ties to the industry it regulates, and that's committed to reform.”
Red Nova News - December 23, 2004
Green Party Mayoral candidate Stephen Lamarre:
“If I am elected I will swiftly propose an ordinance to make Warwick one of the cities taking advantage of the lower drug prices in Canada in order to make prescription medicines more affordable for city employees and the elderly.”
The Providence Journal - August 18, 2004
Senate Candidate Tony Knowles (D-Alaska):
“The government should be allowed to buy bulk from drug companies and that medicines developed by the federal government should be sold at a reasonable price. I support legislation that would require that companies bidding for exclusive rights to develop drugs using federally funded research bid to provide the lowest prices. Companies should also compete for how soon they would allow generic versions of those drugs to be marketed by others.”
Anchorage Daily News - June 26, 2004
“All we know is that they (Canada) have a product (prescription drugs) that is half the price. Why is it against the law for us to buy it?”
Fairbanks Daily News-Miner - September 29, 2004
Senate Candidate Tony Miller (Kentucky):
"I think it's critical that every man and woman is able to buy drugs over in Canada."
The Courier-Journal - September 27, 2004
Rep. Marie Donigan (D-Royal Oak):
"Our message today is 'enough is enough.' The price of prescription drugs in Michigan has reached a crisis level, it really has."
Farmington Observer - July 28, 2005
Rep. Rick Burns (D-Berwick, Maine):
"When the health and safety of our community members depends on access to prescription medications, we have a moral obligation to help ensure that those drugs are available, and that Maine families can afford them. The safe reimportation of drugs from other countries is the key to lowering costs."
All American Patriots -April 28, 2005
Rep. Gil Gutknecht (R-Minnesota):
"The authors of this report from the Task Force on Drug Importation don't cite a single example where an American has been harmed by an imported drug, and we have thousands of examples now where Americans were harmed by FDA-approved drugs."
Independent Media TV - January 31, 2005
"By any objective analysis that we've seen, Americans spend from 30 percent to 300 percent more for brand name drugs than people in Europe or other industrialized countries. We're not asking for a free ride. All we want is fair prices"
January 27, 2005 - The Jackson Sun
Rep. Rick Boucher (D-Abingdon):
"The only objection that has been raised is about the safety of the products, and I feel that's not valid. Canada has a certification and approval process as good as the U.S. Its process might be better."
January 3, 2005 - The Gazette
U.S. Rep. Chris John, (D-Crowley):
"I wrote legislation in Congress allowing re-importation of safe prescription drugs at lower costs from countries like Canada."
The Times-Picayune - October 1, 2004
U.S. Rep David Vitter (R-Metairie):
"I'm the only candidate in the race who has fought to allow you to import safe drugs from Canada at a much cheaper cost."
The Times-Picayune - October 1, 2004
United States Rep: John Larson (D-Connecticut):
"Our study on importation found that if we had the reimportation bill in effect, you'd be saving 58 percent more on your prescriptions. People feel like refugees from their own healthcare system because they have to go to Canada to get prescription drugs they should get in their own country. You're paying twice as much as citizens in the industrialized world for drugs; you're subsidizing them."
East Hartford Gazette - August 21, 2004
Justin Nadeau Candidate for U.S. Representative:
"We have to make prescription medication available through Canada and lower insurance premiums in the state. Did you know that we pay for medicine researched and approved by American FDA? It's the same medicine in the US and Canada, but we pay premium price for it here, but it's shipped to Canada for one-hundred-and-fifty percent less than here in the US."
Foster's Daily Democrat - September 23, 2004
Rep. Pete Start (D-California):
"The president would import sneakers from Taiwan, T-shirts from Hong Kong and coffee from Colombia, but drugs from Canada, no way! Again, the drug companies win and the seniors lose."
Newsday - September 18, 2004
U.S. Rep Melissa Bean (Illinois):
"I would support the re-importation of prescription drugs to give people especially seniors relief from the high costs of many prescription drugs by establishing the American center for cures, a cabinet-level agency solely focused on finding cures for life threatening diseases."
Barrington Courier-Review - August 19, 2004
Rep. Tim Bishop (D-Southampton):
"The price of drugs is outstripping salaries, it's crippling people on fixed incomes and the only way out seniors see is to go to Canada."
Newsday.com - September 20, 2004
Todd Book State Rep (D-McDermott):
"The middle class is taking on more and more of a burden, the working poor are losing in this setup. The general public has to be getting tired of this. Any time the drug companies and the insurance companies get together, the public is going to suffer"
The Herald-Dispatch - September 23, 2004
Dario Frommer, (D-Glendale) majority leader of the California Assembly:
“"I along with more than 20 other Democratic legislators, am sponsoring the Safe and Affordable Prescription Drug Act of 2005. This reform will dramatically reduce the cost of prescription drugs for all Californians. Under our plan, California would join 10 other states that have created a certification process for international pharmacies, so that consumers can get safe and affordable prescription drugs from Canada, Ireland or Britain." ”
San Francisco Chronicle -May 1, 2005
Democrat Brian Schweitzer (Montana):
“Prescription drug prices are out of control. In America, you shouldn't have to be rich just to afford your medicine. Who wouldn't support being able to obtain quality medicine at half price? Pharmacies all over Montana are frustrated with the pharmaceutical industry. They can't buy it as cheap as Canada, the Veterans Administration, insurance companies and hospitals. It's not the pharmacists' fault.”
Billings Gazette - August 13, 2004
Assembleyman Dario Frommer (D-California):
"Is it a savings? Yes. Is it the best we can do? No."
The San Diego Union Tribune - August 21, 2004
"U.S. pharmaceutical companies spend more money on advertising and marketing than they do on research and development and we have the highest prices in the world."
Los Angeles Times - August 23, 2004
"California lawmakers need to take a stand to make medicine more affordable. Other governors, both Republicans and Democrats, have already taken a stand. Our governor needs to do the same."
Sacbee.com - August 24, 2004
Mayor Thomas Menino (Massachusettes):
“Drug prices have been rising too fast. We are pursuing importation as a way to help city of Boston workers and retirees access to vital prescription drugs at affordable prices.”
Foster's Online - July 22, 2004
Nancy Pelosi (House Democratic Leader):
“Despite evidence that drug reimportation can be done safely and effectively, the Bush Administration's Task Force on Drug Importation today recycled the Administration's same tired arguments against reimportation. The big drug companies who stand to profit from the status quo must be delighted. For consumers, however, this is no laughing matter. To get serious about lowering prescription drug prices for all Americans, President Bush must stop serving as a handmaiden for the pharmaceutical industry. He must stop blocking reimportation and preventing the government from negotiating for lower drug prices under Medicare.”
PRNewswire - December 22, 2004