http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE5B…
The pharmaceutical industry’s powerful Washington lobbying group backs the healthcare reform legislation that is President Barack Obama’s top legislative priority, but its important support for that effort could evaporate if drug imports are included.
White House adviser David Axelrod said the administration will pursue the issue, but not in the healthcare reform bill.
“Let me be clear. The president supports … safe re-importation of drugs into this country,” Axelrod told CNN’s “State of the Union” program. “There’s no reason why Americans should pay a premium for the pharmaceuticals that people in other countries pay less for.”
The importation of drugs from other countries has been proposed for years as a way to lower prescription drug costs in the United States. The same prescription drugs sold in the United States often are sold at much lower prices in other countries, including Canada.
Both Obama and Republican rival John McCain supported drug imports during last year’s presidential campaign. But the Obama administration recently issued a letter from the Food and Drug Administration citing safety concerns.
“The president is committed to moving forward once we resolve the issues that the FDA has. That’s his responsibility, to protect the American people,” Axelrod said.
The Senate on December 15 rejected two amendments to the healthcare bill to allow drug re-importation.
Allowing these cheaper drugs to be sold to Americans could cut revenues for the roughly $315 billion pharmaceutical industry, which strongly opposes the idea.
The only appeasement card our potentatee is trying to get passed is his own andd that will not happen untl he has total control of everything including people’s lives . He wants to pe potentate of the world just like the las charasmatic that tried to do the same.
Obama will kick big pharma to the curb once he gets his much sought after health care bill. He did cut a deal with big pharma to get their support. Part of that deal was to make it illegal to get drugs from canada-thereby eliminating any competition for big pharma. If he goes back on that deal just to gain favor with the American people, big pharma will jack up prices. One way or another, the american people will be the losers in this charade.
Obama is pushing American into a hole it will not easily extricate itself from. He is a clear and
Present danger to the United States of America. And should be treated as such.
I say NOBAMA
Time to put the Big Pharma on check. If the so-called elected officials were truly responsve to the voting public, there would be no discussion necessary regarding the importation of less costly medications. It would only make astute business sense. Big Phama should have no decision making capabilities. They have a product, and if it does not fit the budget for the proposed health care options, so be it. It is totally inappropriate to pander to this influential industry whose sole purpose is personal greed at the expense of the taxpayer.
0bama always plays with a stacked deck. He never does anything unless it benefits him personally or adds to the dismantling of this great nation.
He is only trying to access lower drug prices for the big gvt healthcare takeover to make himself look good. But don’t for a minute think the tax payers will incur any “savings” from it.
Eventually, he will import drugs that have NOT been thoroughly researched to impose on unsuspecting citizens, probably those he deems not worthy of living.
your assessment on Obama on the issue may or may not be correct. But obama efforts for health care issues are really overdue issue. we should support b h obama in health care issues even with some important amendments if required. a naton as big as U SA & as rich as u s a may not be blind to needs of 30 millions of uninsured USA people, who otherwise the health care reforms, are in great health securirity problems & they may not afford health insurance: said the rev dr kamal karna k roy aka joseph geronimo jr of USA
The appeasement card? My gawd, Obama does something for the good of the country while sacrificing what lobbiers want.
Isn’t that what the ideal politician should do? Pass laws that are right and fair without selling his vote?
See this is why we are leaving you republicans out of the game. Even when you know something is right, you have to find something totally irrelevant to object to. Stop pushing for political talking points and help us get this job done.