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    Note: This letter was also sent to Senators Snowe, Emanuel, Emerson, Berman, and Feinstein

     

    July 11, 2007

    Senator Byron L. Dorgan
    322 Senate Hart Office Building
    Washington , DC 20510

     

     

     

    Dear Senator Dorgan:

    On behalf of the 4 million members and supporters of the National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare, I write to endorse your legislation, the Pharmaceutical Market Access and Drug Safety Act (S.242) . We applaud your efforts to reduce prescription drug costs for millions of Americans.

    The National Committee believes that one way to help lower the cost of medicines is for Congress to pass your legislation allowing for the safe importation of drugs into this country. Many Americans are already importing affordable and life-saving medicines from abroad. We believe that legalizing this activity will give consumers timely access to medications, and provide a safe and reliable supply of needed drugs, resulting in lower prices for all American consumers.

    We understand that your legislation provides the FDA with the necessary tools to ensure the safety and quality of foreign imported pharmaceuticals. Your legislation only allows the importation of FDA-approved medications with a “chain of custody” from select countries. The bill also requires the use of technology to assure product integrity and prevent counterfeiting.

    An overwhelming majority of Americans support allowing the government to import drugs to drive down exorbitant prices. T he member states of the European Union and s everal U.S. state and local governments have already proven that pharmaceutical importation from countries with strong regulatory systems can be safe, effective and affordable. The Congressional Budget Office reported that your bill would save U.S. consumers $50 billion over ten years. As brand name drug prices continue to rise at twice the rate of inflation, the National Committee is pleased to support your legislation to make life-saving medicines available at reasonable prices.

    Thank you for your continued leadership on behalf of our nation's seniors.

    Cordially,

    Barbara B. Kennelly
    President and CEO