Big Pharma, 1; You and Me, 0: Forget low-cost drug imports

I’d like to thank the U.S. Senate for protecting me from the risk of tainted or otherwise harmful prescription drugs imported from other countries.

The Senate approved this week, 49-40, “a measure saying that imports will not be allowed unless the secretary of health and human services first certifies that they ‘pose no additional risk to the public’s health and safety,’ and that they will significantly reduce costs to consumers.” (NY Times story.)

I’d particularly like to thank Sen. Thad Cochran, R-Miss. He cited a Times story about a toxic syrup imported from China that’s been implicated in poisoning deaths. Thankfully, Sen. Cochran and 48 other senatorial numbnuts voted to amend the original proposal to require certification of safety and savings from drugs imported from any country. (See the roll call vote.)

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