Senate Adds Importation Amendment To Homeland Security Appropriations Bill
This article was originally published in The Pink Sheet Daily
Executive Summary
The amendment, proposed by Sens. David Vitter (R-La.) and Bill Nelson (D-Fla.), would allow importation of prescription drugs for personal use from Canada.
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The full Senate has voted to allow prescription drug importation through the passage of an amendment to the Homeland Security Appropriations bill. The amendment, proposed by Sens. David Vitter (R-La.) and Bill Nelson (D-Fla.), prevents funds from being used by the U.S. Customs & Border Protection to prevent individuals from importing prescription drugs from Canada for personal use. The measure passed 68 to 32 on July 11. The original version of the amendment did not include any restrictions on country of origin. However, during floor debate, Vitter added the limitation that only drugs imported from Canada be allowed. An importation provision could survive the eventual conference committee since the House appropriations bill also included a section - along the lines of the original, broader Vitter proposal - that would allow for importation. A Senate Health Committee spokesperson told "The Pink Sheet" DAILY that he expects Chairman Michael Enzi (R-Wyo.) will oppose an importation provision in conference. Although Enzi voted against the Vitter amendment, he has admitted to the inevitability of action on importation and has worked to ensure his committee retains jurisdiction over the issue (1 (Also see "Senate Action On Drug Importation Is Inevitable, Health Committee's Enzi Says" - Pink Sheet, 7 Apr, 2005.)). The Senate is expected to pass the Homeland Security bill this week. -John Rancourt |