I-SAVE Rx IMPORTATION PROGRAM GETTING LIMITED USE

Only a handful of the millions of eligible residents have taken advantage of the country's first state-sponsored prescription drug importation program.

The I-Save Rx program, launched in October 2004 by the governors of Illinois and Wisconsin, has had a total enrollment of approximately 2,200 residents so far, according to an Illinois official. The program initially touted the fact that 18 million residents from both states could use the program to buy lower-priced prescription drugs through pharmacies in Canada, the UK and Ireland. Since its launch, Missouri and Kansas have joined the program, adding millions of more potential users.

Although public participation in the program has been low, Illinois officials are not discouraged by the early numbers. "The program has been growing every week," said Abby Ottenhoff, spokeswoman for Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich. "As we add more states and try to get the word out about the program, it is building," she said. Ottenhoff added that publicity has been a challenge. "We don't have the advertising and marketing budget like Pfizer," she said, noting that the states are involved in grassroots outreach efforts.

But the pharmaceutical industry argues there are better alternatives to importation, including using firms' drug discount plans, which offer free or discounted medicines. There are very few people who participate in importation plans compared to those who use company-sponsored discount programs, said Wanda Moebius, spokeswoman for PhRMA. In some states, 10 times as many people use the company programs, she noted.

Ottenhoff agreed there are effective corporate programs. But she added that sometimes certain drugs are not covered, and a lot of people don't qualify for those programs. "Either they're too young or their incomes are too high, but they're still struggling to afford their medications. That's why I-Save is so valuable."