Vermont Gov. Phil Scott, a Republican, signed a bill into law that would allow residents to buy cheaper drugs from Canada, a policy that has growing support from congressional Democrats.
The law is likely to face a legal battle. A similar measure passed in 2013 in Maine was struck down by a judge two years later. Vermont also clashed with the Food and Drug Administration when it unsuccessfully sued the agency in 2008 to allow drug reimportation from Canada.
Polls show that the public is concerned about the rising cost of prescription drugs. Canada is often considered as a possible place to buy drugs because it neighbors the U.S. and because its government, which pays for healthcare, sets prices, which result in lower costs. Canada receives many of its drugs from U.S. manufacturers.
The pharmaceutical industry opposes allowing U.S. residents to buy cheaper drugs from foreign countries, saying that it would put patients in danger by opening the door to counterfeit or tainted products.
The Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America said in a statement that it is concerned the law could exacerbate the opioid crisis.
“It is highly irresponsible for Vermont legislators to promote an importation scheme that would create more avenues for counterfeit drugs to enter the country in the middle of an unprecedented opioid crisis,” the drug industry’s main lobbying group said in a statement.
President Trump praised drug reimportation during his campaign but has since backed off the proposal. On Wednesday, Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar called the proposal, which has the support of Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., a “gimmick.” Some Republicans have signaled support for such a measure, however, including Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas.
The Trump administration recently rolled out a series of other proposals to lower the costs of medications. One of them would allow private companies that are part of a program in Medicare, known as Part B, to negotiate what they pay for drugs administered in a doctor’s office or hospital.
