OT: States criticize the slow FDA. https://www
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https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2023/...nt-helped/
FDA officials responded to Colorado’s (drug) importation application in March 2023 by asking for more information, including a smaller list of drugs to target to prove that importation can save money. Colorado’s initial application included 112 high-cost drugs. The state estimates that it could save residents and employers an average of 65 percent on the costs of those medicines, including drugs for diabetes, asthma and cancer.
Colorado said it plans to submit an updated application in early 2024. By then, it’s possible the FDA will have ruled on Florida’s application.
The drug industry, wary that a government-organized importation program could eat into its profits, opposes the idea and has argued that importation would circumvent U.S. safety controls.
“They will do anything to protect their golden goose that is United States’ consumers and patients who pay the largest amount for drugs in the world,” said Colorado state Sen. Sonya Jaquez Lewis (D), a pharmacist and a leading advocate for drug importation.
The White House and Congress, she said, should force drugmakers to negotiate with states to start importation programs.