Rutland Herald ''Cheaper Rx from Canada is closer in Vt.''

[Donkees]

Rutland Herald; “Cheaper Rx from Canada is closer in Vt.” 5/4, A1: The Vermont House has passed a bill that would allow the state to import cheaper prescription drugs from Canada. The bill will create a state entity that acts like a wholesaler and buys the drugs in Canada and then sells them to Vermont pharmacies. But the idea is not new—Sanders took busloads of people to Canada in 1999, where doctors wrote them cheaper prescriptions for drugs. Last year, Sanders introduced another proposal to allow drug importation from Canada.

https://www.sanders.senate.gov/vermont/vermont-news-may-4-2018

Link to tweet

[Donkees]

1. Plan To Import Prescription Drugs From Canada Finds Strong Support At Vermont Statehouse

VPR Audio Excerpt:

Rep. Bill Lippert, chair of the House Committee on Health Care, says the measure is needed because the cost of many drugs has skyrocketed in the past few years.

"It's just impossible to access them unless you have really adequate health insurance, and sometimes even having adequate health insurance is not sufficient," Lippert said.

Lippert says he’s encouraged that the state of Utah is developing a similar plan and has offered to help Vermont develop its own program.

Lippert says the plan will require a waiver from the federal government before it can be put into place. He's hopeful that approval will be granted next year because the Trump administration has indicated a strong interest in lowering prescription drug costs.

The House bill is similar to legislation already passed by the Senate. Leaders in the Senate will now decide if they want to accept the House version of the bill or propose some changes for the House to consider.

http://digital.vpr.net/post/plan-import-prescription-drugs-canada-finds-strong-support-vermont-statehouse#stream/0