GENERIC LEADERS SPEAK OUT AGAINST IMPORTATION

Citing concerns that importation of prescription drugsfrom Canada and other countries "may result in morecounterfeit and unsafe products entering this nation's drugsupply system," the Generic Pharmaceutical Association(GPhA) voiced strenuous objections to the sale of drugs"that have not been under the continuous supervision ofthe FDA." Like their counterparts in the brand name drugindustry, GPhA leaders also expressed opposition to pharmaceuticalprice controls, noting that "timely competitionis the key to affordability" of medications. "Importation is ameans to importing price controls and is contrary to supportingrobust drug research and development," thegeneric association maintained.

"Instead of unwisely attempting to reduce high prescriptiondrug costs through unregulated foreign imports,American consumers can have safe and affordable prescriptiondrugs through greater utilization of FDAapprovedand regulated generic drugs and expanded prescriptiondrug coverage," GPhA said. "Americans seekingsavings won't always find them across the border—onaverage, generics are less expensive in the United Statesthan in Canada and do not put the quality of US healthcare at risk."