Enzi Warns Against Rx Importation Plan That Would Hinder Free Market

Any pharmaceutical importation plan that fixes the terms of trade is equivalent to importing price controls, which could endanger the future of drug innovation and limit access to new drugs, according to the head of the Senate health panel.

Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee Chairman Michael Enzi (R-Wyo.) said he is open to new and creative ideas to make importation possible, but is "very concerned about placing undue restrictions on trade," including through legislation that would force drugmakers to supply foreign markets even if those products were destined to return to the U.S.

"We shouldn't tell companies with whom they must do business, how much they should sell, and at what price," Enzi said at a HELP Committee hearing on drug importation.

Enzi also noted that foreign help would be limited due to the size of the U.S. pharmaceutical market, which is larger than Canada's and Europe's combined. "There is simply not enough excess in other countries to meet our needs," he said. "Instead of artificially controlling drug prices, or starving our neighbors and allies of lifesaving medications, we ought to give the marketplace a chance to work toward equity in global pricing," Enzi said.