Trump’s Drug Price Reduction Vision Realized as Florida Takes Bold Step in Importing Canadian Drugs
Shared By Peter Boykin – American Political Commentator / Citizen Journalist / Political Candidate
Trump’s plan to reduce drug prices comes into view years after leaving office
Trump’s Drug Price Reduction Vision Realized as Florida Takes Bold Step in Importing Canadian Drugs
Florida has made history by becoming the first state to gain FDA approval for importing drugs from Canada, marking a significant stride in Donald Trump’s 2019 initiative to address the soaring costs of prescription medications.
The FDA has greenlit Florida’s plan, allowing the state to purchase prescription drugs in bulk directly from Canadian wholesalers. These drugs will be channeled into state-run health programs, including Medicaid.
The motivation behind venturing across the border lies in the stark contrast in drug prices between the United States and Canada, primarily due to the latter’s robust government regulation. In Canada, prescriptions are often five times cheaper than their U.S. counterparts. For instance, a diabetes medication like NovoLog costs $392 in the U.S., while in Canada, it’s priced at a mere $79.
This groundbreaking development traces back to the Trump administration’s 2019 move, spearheaded by the Health & Human Services. The two-pronged approach involved soliciting proposals from state governments on safe drug importation, with Florida submitting its plan in 2020. Simultaneously, the FDA collaborated with drug companies to devise strategies for importing drugs from other countries.
Fast forward four years, and after a Florida lawsuit prompted action, coupled with encouragement from the Biden administration, the FDA finally approved Florida’s proposal.
In response to the FDA’s decision, Governor Ron DeSantis expressed his satisfaction, stating, “It’s about time that the FDA put patients over politics and the interests of Floridians over Big Pharma.” DeSantis anticipates that this move will result in savings of up to $180 million for the state in the first year alone.
However, not everyone is pleased with this development. The Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America, a prominent industry trade group, has labeled the FDA’s decision as “reckless.” They assert that they are “considering all options for preventing this policy from harming patients.” This opposition highlights the contention surrounding the push to lower drug prices and the potential impact on pharmaceutical companies.
This significant stride by Florida aligns with the broader Republican goal of tackling high drug prices, with the hope that other states may follow suit in the pursuit of more affordable healthcare.
[Source: WSJ]
This Article is Brought to you by Go Right News and Edited by Peter Boykin
Visit GoRightNews.com for More Articles and Visit PeterBoykin.com to Learn more about Peter Boykin
