You don’t see much bipartisanship on Capitol Hill these days, or many duets in the Senate. But Democrat Byron Dorgan and Republican John McCain teamed up to put on a show for colleagues and lucky C-Span viewers this afternoon with their routine pushing drug re-importation.
Allowing importation of prescription drugs from a select few countries such as Canada, Ireland, and parts of Europe could lower prices in this country, and Dorgan has an amendment to the health-care bill that would legalize the practice.
Tuesday, the FDA blew a hole in his amendment. In a letter, FDA Commissioner Peggy Hamburg said importing drugs would be unsafe, too complex and too expensive. The drug industry has also opposed the practice, pointing out that Europe, which allows some importation, has problems with counterfeit drugs.
On the floor of the Senate today, McCain played the set-up man, lobbing rhetorical softballs for Dorgan. Here’s a much-condensed version of some of the highlights. Watch the whole thing yourself, starting around minute 270 in this C-Span video
McCain: Isn’t it true that a letter was written to one of our colleagues from the administrator of the FDA?
Dorgan: The Senator from Arizona is correct. They say “We don’t have the resources.” This amendment provides the resources for them. The people that are selling [imported drugs] will pay a fee.
McCain: It requires no additional funding from the taxpayer?
Dorgan: No additional funding from the taxpayer at all!
McCain: Could we say it would not propose any hazard to anyone’s health?
Dorgan: The countries that are involved in this amendment — and they are limited — are countries that have an identical chain of custody to our country.
On a roll now, Dorgan holds up two pill bottles and continues:
Both of these bottles contained Lipitor — most of my colleagues know what Lipitor is. And this was made by an American company in Ireland and shipped all over the world. This little bottle was shipped to the United States. This little bottle was shipped to Canada. What’s the difference? The price. The American consumer is told, guess what you get to do? You get to pay almost triple.
McCain: On behalf of the citizens of my state, I just want to say, thank you for your advocacy .
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