The Long Pause
It’s been nearly a year since the Biden administration approved Florida to import lower-cost prescription medications from Canada. However, the program still hasn’t seen the light of day. Notably, Florida became the first state to receive this clearance, a feat political figures across parties, including then-President-elect Donald Trump, have long championed. Even with approval, setting a date to commence the drug importation program remains unconfirmed.
Florida Governor Speaks Out
Governor Ron DeSantis saluted the FDA’s approval early in the year. Seeing it as a triumph over the pharmaceutical industry that fears this move will trigger a flood of fake medications. DeSantis, known for his public complaints about the sluggish federal approval process, filed a lawsuit against the FDA in 2022, blasting them for an irresponsible delay.
Trump’s Preelection Promise
Last month, Trump acknowledged his administration’s efforts to procure medicines from across the border in a pre-election conversation with AARP, a group advocating for older US citizens, and supporters of acquiring drugs from Canada. He pledged to keep fighting to shield Americans from steep drug prices if given another term.
However, much remains unclear if his second administration could or would do more to assist Florida and other states in setting up their importation programs since the ball is in the states’ court. Colorado is the only other state besides Florida with an approved importation plan by the FDA.
Officials’ Silence
The DeSantis administration remains tight-lipped on questions about the program. Multiple requests from health news outlets had gone unanswered. Meanwhile, questions about whether Florida completed the required procedures before commencing the importation of drugs were directed back to the state by an official from the FDA.
Why Pick Canada?
Canadian price controls mean drugs often cost less in Canada than in the US. This difference has led politicians from different political sides, including DeSantis and Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont, to push for drug importation from Canada for a long time. However, federal law, concerned about drug safety and efficacy, restricts consumers from purchasing drugs outside U.S. borders, except in rare situations.
Prospect of Importation
In 2000, a law was passed allowing states to import prescription drugs from Canada, should the Department of Health and Human Services deem it safe. The go-ahead came two decades later, in 2020, by then Secretary Alex Azar.
Florida’s Goals
Florida’s program doesn’t aim to aid consumers at the pharmacy directly. Instead, it targets to chip away at the costs for state Medicaid, the corrections, and health departments. The plan involves importing 14 drugs, including those for cancer and AIDS, from Canada. Despite this, potential savings for the state are projected to be minor, with estimates of up to $180 million in the first year against Florida’s annual Medicaid budget of more than $30 billion.
The Challenges
Health policy analyst, Camm Epstein, pointed out that moving drugs over the border isn’t straightforward due to FDA’s numerous requirements. The process involves finding suitable companies to partner with and ensuring the authenticity of these drugs, adding complexity to the concept of drug importation.
Where We Stand Now
Florida has already invested tens of millions of dollars in its drug importation program. Currently, the state still awaits the start of the drug importation program as it navigates through the challenges of setting up. The question remains when Florida will start getting lower-cost prescription drugs from Canada. Meanwhile, other states, including Colorado, have similar plans on the table, exploring ways to deal with the growing concern of high drug prices.