New Hampshire Challenges FDA

December 10, 2003
New Hampshire Gov. Craig Benson, a Republican, says his state will challenge the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) over the issue of reimporting lower-cost U. S.-made prescription drugs from Canada.

Benson says New Hampshire will set up a web site to provide residents with access to Canadian pharmacies that have been certified as "safe" by New Hampshire's Department of Health and Human Services.

Under the new Medicare law, drugs can only be reimported if the FDA certifies them as safe -- something it has been very reluctant to do. Although several other states are said to be considering similar actions, New Hampshire is thought to be the first state to openly defy the FDA.

Other states are considering their options as well. Meanwhile, senior advocates and consumer organizations are gearing up to put pressure on members of Congress.

"Congress should immediately repeal the prohibition on the federal government negotiating for lowest prices with drug companies. That would do more to make medicines affordable to people with Medicare than (the new Medicare bill)," Hayes said.