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States Again Look at Importing Drugs
Maine legislators have enacted significant
legislation authorizing the importation of prescription drugs from several
English-speaking countries. The legislation goes into effect 90 days
after the end of the legislative session, which is anticipated to conclude by
October 10. The legislation was championed by a bipartisan group of legislators
on behalf of both private and public employers that had operated mail-order
importation programs until halted last summer by the previous Attorney General.
With strong support from legislators on both the right and left, and the
pro-local business flavor attached to this legislation, despite expressing
reservations through his staff, Governor LePage allowed the bill to become law
without his signature. This Pharmalot post provides
some context and additional information about the Maine legislation. Learn more
about drug importation, including online imports, at RxRights.org.
Link to the law
Meanwhile, the pharmaceutical industry is doing its best to ramp up fear of counterfeit imported drugs through industry-funded "consumer" groups, as in this MPBN radio report. In another sneaky move out of public view, the industry is trying to prevent online importation by controlling the internet domain name ".pharmacy".
For more information:
Sharon Anglin Treat, Executive Director
207-622-5597
