Paul Urges President-Elect to Support Drug Reimportation Legislation

FOR RELEASE: January 18, 2001

Washington, D.C.- Congressman Ron Paul wrote President-elect Bush earlier this week, urging him to enforce new laws designed to lower the cost of prescription drugs. Congress passed legislation in a final 2001 appropriations bill easing restrictions against the reimportaion of prescription drugs, which would permit millions of Americans to enjoy worldwide price competition when purchasing prescriptions. However, Clinton administration officials have refused to implement the new law, brazenly evading their Constitutional duty and substituting their political view for that of the elected legislature.

"The administration's decision denies million of American consumers the ability to lower their prescription drug bills by purchasing imported pharmaceuticals," Paul stated in the letter. "Reversing this eleventh-hour decision would send a clear signal that your administration is committed to making prescription drugs more affordable for all Americans."

The reimportation legislation is needed to address the problem of skyrocketing prescription drug prices in this country. Paul advocates a free-market approach to drug costs, allowing American consumers to enjoy worldwide price competition between local, internet, and mail-order pharmacies. He also promotes reform legislation to reduce FDA regulations which restrict consumer choice and drive costs up. The Prescription Drug Affordability Act, which Paul plans to introduce in the new 107th Congress, will permit any American to import prescription drugs unless the FDA can demonstrate that the drug is adulterated or not approved. The Act also reduces restrictions on internet pharmacies and provides seniors with a tax credit for 80% of their prescription drug costs.

"I urge you to embrace a free-market health care agenda centered around free trade in pharmaceuticals," Paul's letter to Bush concluded. "I also urge you to seek innovative ways to deliver low-cost prescription drugs to the public, free of unnecessary government regulation. We must empower Americans with control over health care resources so they can meet their own health care needs."