HCS HB 859 -- PRESCRIPTION DRUGS FROM CANADA

SPONSOR:  Bruns (Jetton)

COMMITTEE ACTION:  Voted "do pass" by the Committee on Senior
Citizen Advocacy by a vote of 9 to 0.

This substitute allows Missouri residents to participate in any
current or future state program, policy, or practice permitting
prescription drugs to be acquired from Canada.

FISCAL NOTE:  No impact on state funds in FY 2006, FY 2007, and
FY 2008.

PROPONENTS:  Supporters say the bill enacts into law the
memorandum of understanding between Missouri and Illinois
allowing Missouri residents an alternative access to safe
prescription drugs.  An individual must have a prescription
before they can obtain drugs from Canada.

Testifying for the bill were Representative Jetton; and Missouri
Kidney Program-Renal Coalition.

OPPONENTS:  Those who oppose the bill say that it is not
necessary since many pharmaceutical companies have programs
providing prescription drugs at a reduced rate for qualified
individuals.  Drugs that have been purchased from Canada are not
as safe and effective as drugs regulated by the federal Food and
Drug Administration.  An imported drug may not contain the same
active ingredients to make the drugs interchangeable; and drug
shipments in the past have contained dangerous, dissolved, or
illegal drugs.

Testifying against the bill were Missouri Retailers Association;
and Missouri Pharmacy Association.

OTHERS:  Others testifying on the bill provided technical
information.

Others testifying on the bill was Pharmaceutical Research and
Manufacturers of America.

Dominic Lackey, Legislative Analyst

Missouri House of Representatives
93rd General Assembly, 1st Regular Session
Last Updated August 25, 2005 at 1:20 pm