Paul Fights to Make Prescription Drugs Affordable PDF Print E-mail
FOR RELEASE: August 10, 2000

Paul Fights to Make Prescription Drugs Affordable

Washington, D.C. - On Wednesday, Representative Ron Paul wrote his colleagues in Congress asking them to cosponsor his "Pharmaceutical Freedom Act" (HR 3636), a bill aimed at making prescription drugs more affordable for all Americans, including senior citizens. A key element of the bill is that it exempts Internet pharmacies that are in compliance with state regulations from the burden of additional federal regulations.
"Many consumers have been able to use the Internet to lower their prescription drug costs," stated Paul. "One senior citizen in my district lowered his drug costs from $700 to $100 a month by using an Internet pharmacy. The 'Pharmaceutical Freedom Act' ensures that other seniors and all Americans seeking to reduce their costs through Internet pharmacies will not be denied affordable drugs because of costly and burdensome federal regulations."
Other provisions of the "Pharmaceutical Freedom Act" provide seniors a tax credit equal to 80% of their prescription drug costs, and reduce barriers to importing FDA-approved prescription drugs. Paul said the bill is designed to give seniors greater access to affordable pharmaceuticals by promoting price competition and a true free market for drugs.
"All of the plans coming out of Washington to reduce the cost of medications lack one key element- consumer choice," said Paul. "Too many politicians want to bring about lower prices through price fixing or subsidies to insurance or pharmaceutical companies. The answer to the problem of high drug costs will not be found in a new federal program. The key is ensuring that seniors have resources to make their own health care decisions."
"The 'Pharmaceutical Freedom Act' will provide millions of Americans with access to affordable prescription drugs," Paul concluded. "I am proud to lead the effort in Congress to help seniors pay for their medications, and I urge my colleagues to join me in making the well-being of America's senior citizens a top priority."