The Safe & Affordable Drugs from Canada Act - 2016

[ehrnst]

There is an entire bill on importing drugs from Canada that is not getting any attention but it addresses safety issues in a way that the amendment that is the subject of controversy does not. It has been introduced since 2014, but somehow it just didn't get the attention that the small amendment did.

The Safe and Affordable Drugs from Canada Act would allow individuals to safely import into the United States a personal supply of prescription drugs. ****Under the legislation, imported prescription drugs would have to be purchased from an approved Canadian pharmacy and dispensed by a licensed pharmacist.****

http://www.businessnorth.com/press_releases/senators-klobuchar-and-mccain-introduce-the-safe-affordable-drugs-from/article_2c4a972a-d6db-11e6-b689-5b30e15e855c.html

https://www.congress.gov/bill/114th-congress/senate-bill/122/text

It includes this language requiring safeguards:

“(c) Approved Canadian Pharmacy.—

“(1) IN GENERAL.—In this section, an approved Canadian pharmacy is a pharmacy that—

“(A) is located in Canada; and

“(B) that the Secretary certifies—

“(i) is licensed to operate and dispense prescription drugs to individuals in Canada; and

“(ii) meets the criteria under paragraph (3).

“(2) PUBLICATION OF APPROVED CANADIAN PHARMACIES.—The Secretary shall publish on the Internet Web site of the Food and Drug Administration a list of approved Canadian pharmacies, including the Internet Web site address of each such approved Canadian pharmacy, from which individuals may purchase prescription drugs in accordance with subsection (a).

“(3) ADDITIONAL CRITERIA.—To be an approved Canadian pharmacy, the Secretary shall certify that the pharmacy—

“(A) has been in existence for a period of at least 5 years preceding the date of such certification and has a purpose other than to participate in the program established under this section;

“(B) operates in accordance with pharmacy standards set forth by the provincial pharmacy rules and regulations enacted in Canada;

“(C) has processes established by the pharmacy, or participates in another established process, to certify that the physical premises and data reporting procedures and licenses are in compliance with all applicable laws and regulations, and has implemented policies designed to monitor ongoing compliance with such laws and regulations;

“(D) conducts or commits to participate in ongoing and comprehensive quality assurance programs and implements such quality assurance measures, including blind testing, to ensure the veracity and reliability of the findings of the quality assurance program;

“(E) agrees that laboratories approved by the Secretary shall be used to conduct product testing to determine the safety and efficacy of sample pharmaceutical products;

“(F) has established, or will establish or participate in, a process for resolving grievances and will be held accountable for violations of established guidelines and rules;

“(G) does not resell products from online pharmacies located outside Canada to customers in the United States; and

“(H) meets any other criteria established by the Secretary.”.

[ehrnst]

1. Goes to show that not all drugs you think are from Canada are safe and from Canada. (nt)

[brer cat]

4. I brought this up on an earlier thread.

I bought drugs from a Canadian pharmacy for years and not ONE was manufactured in or shipped from Canada. Almost all were from India. I had no ill effects and continued purchasing them, but there was absolutely no assurance they were from manufacturers that met any standard ever set by either Canada or the US. Many of us who can't afford drugs here take chances buying from abroad, but we do so on a wing and a prayer. Before the government gives a go-ahead for legal purchase of drugs from other countries, they need some safe guards in place.

[karynnj]

2. 2016 bills need to be reintroduced as we are in a new Congress. nt

[ehrnst]

3. Maybe *someone* should tack an amendment on it and it will become suddenly relevant

to so many who suddenly think that where one stands on importing drugs from Canada is the single line between the future bright hope of the Democrats, and Corporate whore.