Senators promise drug importation push

By Lisa Richwine

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. senators vowed on Wednesday to move forward with legislation to legalize the importation of cheaper prescription drugs from certain countries, despite resistance from regulators and drugmakers.

One Democrat and three Republicans said their plan would provide money and safeguards for the Food and Drug Administration to assure the imports were not dangerous.

"I believe this legislation puts in place an effective regulatory framework to make importation of FDA-approved drugs safe for consumers," Sen. Byron Dorgan, a North Dakota Democrat, said at a hearing.

Dorgan said the goal was to "create a little competition in the marketplace so we can put a real downward pressure on prescription drug prices."

The legislation would allow consumers, pharmacies and wholesalers to purchase FDA-approved medicines sold in Canada and other industrialized countries. Congress would provide money so the FDA could make sure the medicines and manufacturing sites met agency standards, supporters said.

One-third of senators already have backed the bill, said Dorgan, who chairs a subcommittee of the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee.

Many Americans already have bought medicines from abroad, often through Internet pharmacies, even though the practice is illegal.

The FDA has warned against congressional efforts to legalize importation, arguing the agency cannot vouch for drugs purchased from foreign sources.