Op-eds: Canadian and American regulators, law enforcement and patient advocates oppose drug importation

Since 2000, every head of the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has opposed drug importation because the benefits that might be gained are far outweighed by the many dangers. Law enforcement, patient advocates, pharmacy groups, and regulators agree.

PSM board president, pharmacist explains why foreign drug importation can’t deliver.

Jul 5, 2023

In this editorial, which appeared in the Corpus Christi Caller on June 30, 2023, Doctor of Pharmacy Kenneth McCall shares his negative experience with imported medicines.

Older man in dark suit with crossed arms

The Hollow Promise of Drug Importation Proposals

Sep 14, 2022

Tom Kubic—an FBI veteran, former president and CEO of the Pharmaceutical Security Institute, and president of PSM’s governing board—has the experience to know that the risks of drug importation are “unacceptably high” and the potential rewards are “virtually nil.”

Head of Missouri Pharmacy Association Calls for Rider-Free PDUFA Passage

Jul 27, 2022

One proposed amendment which could delay, or derail prompt passage, would allow importation of drugs from other countries which have not been inspected or approved by the FDA. Because the FDA ensures strict oversight of purity and effectiveness of the drugs in our supply chain, this proposal is dangerous. Everyday customs officials are finding counterfeit drugs which are laced with dangerous ingredients like fentanyl, mercury, lead, or other toxins.

Former Florida Congresswoman Calls Drug Importation a ‘False Promise’.

Jun 10, 2022

So, what does all of this have to do with importing drugs from a friendly nation like Canada? The simple, inarguable fact is that, once we open up our drug supply, we can no longer ensure the safety of the products in it.

Director of Health and Science Policy at Citizens Against Government Waste Calls Drug Importation Dangerous

Jun 10, 2022

Instead of wasting time and money on dangerous and faulty importation proposals, Congress should encourage the FDA to speed up the drug approval process and reduce the cost of program and application fees for future drug development. In 2022, the application fee for a human drug application will cost $1.6 million for drugs that don’t require clinical data and $3.1 million for medicines that do need clinical data.

Connecticut Bioscience Growth Council ED explains why drug importation is “unworkable.”

Feb 25, 2022

In this February 24, 2022 editorial published on the Connecticut Business & Industry Association’s website, Paul Pescatello reviews the practical reasons that mean that importing drugs from Canada will not lower prescription drug prices. Pescatello is the executive director of CBIA’s Bioscience Growth Council and chair of We Work for Health Connecticut.

Counterfeit HIV drug underscores risks of a weaker drug supply chain, advocate warns.

Apr 13, 2021

ADAP Advocacy Association CEO Brandon M. Macsata wrote this editorial, which appeared on the AIDS Drug Assistance Program’s website on April 1, 2021.

The Association first warned constituents that counterfeit Symtuza had been distributed to three U.S. pharmacies in December 2020, when Janssen issued an alert.

Canada’s Actions a Death-Knell for Drug Importation in Florida

Dec 9, 2020

This editorial by the Sun Sentinel Editorial Board was published in The Sun Sentinel on December 9, 2020. The Editorial Board consists of Editorial Page Editor Rosemary O’Hara, Dan Sweeney, Steve Bousquet and Editor-in-Chief Julie Anderson.   There Go Those Cheaper Drugs. Remember Florida’s plan to save money by importing prescription drugs in bulk from…

Canadian writer applauds country’s effort to protect its drug supply

Dec 4, 2020

This editorial by Joyce Nelson appeared in Counter Punch on December 4, 2020. Nelson is a researcher and writer whose work appears in a wide range of magazines, newspapers and websites.

Organizer explains why drug importation is dangerous and “doomed to fail”

Dec 4, 2020

This editorial, written by Earl D. Fowlkes Jr., appeared in the Washington Blade on December 4, 2020. Fowlkes is the president and CEO of the Center for Black Equity.