Number: RS22660
Title: Prescription Drug Importation: How S. 242 / H.R. 380 Would Change Current Law
Authors: Susan Thaul, Domestic Social Policy Division 
Abstract: Current law prohibits the importation of a prescription drug by anyone other than its manufacturer. S. 242/H.R. 380 would amend the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to allow commercial and personal-use importation. The legislation would create a detailed set of procedures to address concerns relating to the safety and effectiveness of imported drugs, cost savings to U.S. consumers, and administration of the program. Senator Dorgan offered S. 242 as an amendment to S. 1082, the Food and Drug Revitalization Act, during Senate Floor consideration. The amendment was agreed to, but only after Senators voted to approve a second-degree amendment offered by Senator Cochran, which effectively nullified the language in S. 242. The related broad FDA bill that the House passed under suspension, H.R. 2900, does not include a drug importation provision. Many observers believe that drug importation will next be discussed by the S. 1082-H.R. 2900 conferees.
Pages: 6
Date: July 13, 2007