ROCKVILLE, Md., March 19 (UPI) -- Consumer groups told a government drug importation task force Friday U.S. drug costs could be curbed if importation was legalized and regulated.
The listening session by the Department of Health and Human Services task force was the first of five for groups likely to be affected by prescription drug importation.
Most said U.S. drug costs are prohibitively high, and issues of counterfeit drugs and consumer safety are best addressed by regulatory measures.
"We can't go to any part of the county where we don't hear about the high cost of drugs," said David Sertner, director of federal affairs for AARP, which is recommending the Food and Drug Administration inspect foreign drug manufacturers and certify the safety of imported drugs and distributors.
Dr. Peter Lurie, deputy director of Public Citizen's Health Research Group, said other countries negotiate for lower drug costs, but Medicare is prohibited from using its massive buying power to keep costs low.
Peter Wyckoff, executive director of the Minnesota Senior Federation-Metropolitan Region, said their importation program has saved 49 percent by purchasing prescription medications in Canada.
