Citing concerns that importation of prescription drugs from Canada and other countries "may result in more counterfeit and unsafe products entering this nation's drug supply system," the Generic Pharmaceutical Association (GPhA) voiced strenuous objections to the sale of drugs "that have not been under the continuous supervision of the FDA." Like their counterparts in the brand name drug industry, GPhA leaders also expressed opposition to pharmaceutical price controls, noting that "timely competition is the key to affordability" of medications. "Importation is a means to importing price controls and is contrary to supporting robust drug research and development," the generic association maintained.

"Instead of unwisely attempting to reduce high prescription drug costs through unregulated foreign imports, American consumers can have safe and affordable prescription drugs through greater utilization of FDAapproved and regulated generic drugs and expanded prescription drug coverage," GPhA said. "Americans seeking savings won't always find them across the border—on average, generics are less expensive in the United States than in Canada and do not put the quality of US health care at risk."