- Florida estimates it could save up to $150 million in drug costs in the first year
- But manufacturers and lobby groups are expected to sue to block its efforts
- READ MORE: CVS to lower prescription drug prices after overhaul to business
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The Food and Drug Administration has approved Florida to become the first state to import cheaper drugs from Canada, a major policy change that could give Americans access to cheaper versions of drugs that cost thousands of dollars.
While people in the United States will be allowed to make direct purchases from Canada, the decision will make Florida the first state to be allowed to buy cheaper drugs in bulk from Canadian wholesalers.
When making their case According to the FDA, Florida officials claim that critical prescription drugs in the state can cost nearly $400 per pill, placing a significant burden on patients who need life-saving medications.
And the US has one of the highest prescription drug costs in the world, with prices 218 percent of those in the country’s northern neighbor.
For non-generic versions of brand-name drugs, those costs are 294 percent of Canadian prices, meaning drugs in Canada are only 46 percent and 34 percent of the cost of U.S. drugs, respectively.
By importing Canadian drugs, Florida officials estimate the state could save up to $150 million in the first year.
The FDA’s approval is the first step in victory for Florida, but now it must send the FDA details about which drugs it wants to import and how the state plans to do so.
Medicines to be imported early in the partnership will include medicines to treat HIV, AIDS, diabetes, hepatitis C and certain psychiatric conditions.
An FDA official told The New York Times Florida will be able to buy drugs in bulk for use in U.S. government clinics, prisons and Medicaid programs.
Colorado, Maine, New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Dakota, Texas, Vermont and Wisconsin all have laws allowing drug imports, with some having applied for the same permission from the FDA
However, the states have not yet received a response from the federal drug agency.
While the decision is a victory, Florida can expect significant pushback from lobby groups and drug manufacturers.
One of the pharmaceutical industry’s largest lobbying groups, Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA), which has filed lawsuits against past importation efforts, is expected to file another lawsuit to block Florida from implementing its plan.
In addition, some drug manufacturers have agreements with Canadian drug wholesalers that do not allow the export of their drugs.
The Canadian government has also already taken steps to block Florida’s efforts to import prescription drugs that are in short supply.
Experts say importing drugs from Canada, a country of 40 million people, will do little to reduce drug shortages and prices in the US.
The population of Florida alone is almost 22 million, while the US has a population of 332 million.
Maryse Durette, spokeswoman for Health Canada, told the Times: “The Canadian supply of medicines is too small to meet the demand of both American and Canadian consumers.
‘Bulk imports will not provide an effective solution to the problem of high drug prices in the US’
FDA approval is the first step, but the state still has more red tape to deal with.
Now it must send the FDA details of which drugs it wants to import and how the state plans to do so.
