Comments on: RON PAUL IS WRONG ON DRUG IMPORTATION http://www.healthcarebs.com/2007/05/10/ron-paul-is-wrong-on-drug-reimportation/ Cleaning the Augean Stables of the Health Care Debate Thu, 09 Feb 2012 19:16:33 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.3.3 By: Catron http://www.healthcarebs.com/2007/05/10/ron-paul-is-wrong-on-drug-reimportation/#comment-1100 Catron Sat, 12 May 2007 16:18:57 +0000 http://www.healthcarebs.com/2007/05/10/ron-paul-is-wrong-on-drug-reimportation/#comment-1100 Not bad. It helps wash away the bitter aftertaste of "Big Pharma" conspiracy theories. Not bad. It helps wash away the bitter aftertaste of “Big Pharma” conspiracy theories.

]]> By: Rob http://www.healthcarebs.com/2007/05/10/ron-paul-is-wrong-on-drug-reimportation/#comment-1099 Rob Sat, 12 May 2007 15:30:34 +0000 http://www.healthcarebs.com/2007/05/10/ron-paul-is-wrong-on-drug-reimportation/#comment-1099 How is the Cato kool-aid these days? How is the Cato kool-aid these days?

]]> By: Catron http://www.healthcarebs.com/2007/05/10/ron-paul-is-wrong-on-drug-reimportation/#comment-1038 Catron Fri, 11 May 2007 02:07:23 +0000 http://www.healthcarebs.com/2007/05/10/ron-paul-is-wrong-on-drug-reimportation/#comment-1038 Rob, the reason reimportation won't work has to do with the market. This would hold true even in the absence of lobbyists. It could theoretically work if the other countries involved (e.g. Canada) would remove their price controls and tariffs, but that isn't going to happen. Rob, the reason reimportation won’t work has to do with the market. This would hold true even in the absence of lobbyists. It could theoretically work if the other countries involved (e.g. Canada) would remove their price controls and tariffs, but that isn’t going to happen.

]]> By: Rob McP http://www.healthcarebs.com/2007/05/10/ron-paul-is-wrong-on-drug-reimportation/#comment-1022 Rob McP Thu, 10 May 2007 21:14:30 +0000 http://www.healthcarebs.com/2007/05/10/ron-paul-is-wrong-on-drug-reimportation/#comment-1022 My pleasure, David! You are exactly right, reimportation will work no miracles whatsoever. Not as long as there are two pharmaceutical lobbyists for every member of Congress. Not as long as they continue to buy market control and eliminate competition. That was my overriding point. My pleasure, David! You are exactly right, reimportation will work no miracles whatsoever. Not as long as there are two pharmaceutical lobbyists for every member of Congress. Not as long as they continue to buy market control and eliminate competition. That was my overriding point.

]]> By: Catron http://www.healthcarebs.com/2007/05/10/ron-paul-is-wrong-on-drug-reimportation/#comment-1020 Catron Thu, 10 May 2007 20:38:20 +0000 http://www.healthcarebs.com/2007/05/10/ron-paul-is-wrong-on-drug-reimportation/#comment-1020 Thanks for your comments, Rob. I'm not claiming the drug companies are as pure as the driven snow. They are definitely interested in making money (and lots of it). But I can't see reimportation working the miracles its supporters seem to expect. Thanks for your comments, Rob. I’m not claiming the drug companies are as pure as the driven snow. They are definitely interested in making money (and lots of it). But I can’t see reimportation working the miracles its supporters seem to expect.

]]> By: Catron http://www.healthcarebs.com/2007/05/10/ron-paul-is-wrong-on-drug-reimportation/#comment-1019 Catron Thu, 10 May 2007 20:25:19 +0000 http://www.healthcarebs.com/2007/05/10/ron-paul-is-wrong-on-drug-reimportation/#comment-1019 CTSC, you've got it backwards. The potential for profit is what drives innovation. If the drug companies believe our masters in Washington are going to prevent them from making a profit, they won't bother to develop new products. CTSC, you’ve got it backwards. The potential for profit is what drives innovation. If the drug companies believe our masters in Washington are going to prevent them from making a profit, they won’t bother to develop new products.

]]> By: Rob McP http://www.healthcarebs.com/2007/05/10/ron-paul-is-wrong-on-drug-reimportation/#comment-1018 Rob McP Thu, 10 May 2007 20:23:42 +0000 http://www.healthcarebs.com/2007/05/10/ron-paul-is-wrong-on-drug-reimportation/#comment-1018 Hey David, nice site. I just stumbled across it today and wanted to weigh in since I have been a "reimporter" for almost six years now. First let me say, there is no free market for pharmaceuticals in North America. Not since Europe started parallel trading in 1985. Once Big Pharma got wind of this scheme, I'm certain they ran screaming to Capitol Hill with lobbyist in tow. Hence, we have the Prescription Drug Marketing Act of 1987. Which Ronald Reagan signed reluctantly because he knew it would restrict free trade (see signing statement). Here is part of the summary: "H.R.1207 Title: A bill to amend the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to ban the reimportation of drugs produced in the United States, to place restrictions on the distribution of drug samples, to ban certain resales of drugs by hospitals and other health care facilities, and for other purposes". Sponsor: Rep Dingell, John D. [MI-16] (introduced 2/24/1987) Cosponsors (41) Latest Major Action: 4/22/1988 Became Public Law No: 100-293. Smacks of government-granted monopoly to me but, in essence it's immaterial since we generally ignore it. Reimportation is no longer an issue because Big Pharma has cut off supply to virtually every "reimported" drug. Most drugs we sell today are imported. From where you say? Hold on to your hats boys and girls! From Europe, New Zealand, Australia and the largest player in the pharmaceutical industry today......India. Yes, I said India. There are more FDA approved, (yes I said FDA approved) manufacturing facilities in India than Europe and probably the U.S. by this writing. Why would the FDA have to approve them? Because they are manufacturing for the U.S. market. The cost to do so is pennies on the dollar for Big Pharma. How do I know? Because my network (very quietly) contracted for the generic drugs made in the same facilities. I gave you this background information to tell you this, there is a reason why prices have not gone down in the U.S., it's because Big Pharma owns it and they are not about to pass a savings on to any American citizen - period. Prices to consumers from our network have continuously decreased because we do what most decent, well-respected companies do in America, we purchase at the best price we can, take a reasonable profit, and pass the savings on to the buyer. We do not attempt to control competition or markets. Thanks for the opportunity to post, Rob McPherson Hey David, nice site. I just stumbled across it today and wanted to weigh in since I have been a “reimporter” for almost six years now.

First let me say, there is no free market for pharmaceuticals in North America. Not since Europe started parallel trading in 1985.

Once Big Pharma got wind of this scheme, I’m certain they ran screaming to Capitol Hill with lobbyist in tow. Hence, we have the Prescription Drug Marketing Act of 1987. Which Ronald Reagan signed reluctantly because he knew it would restrict free trade (see signing statement). Here is part of the summary:

“H.R.1207
Title: A bill to amend the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to ban the reimportation of drugs produced in the United States, to place restrictions on the distribution of drug samples, to ban certain resales of drugs by hospitals and other health care facilities, and for other purposes”.
Sponsor: Rep Dingell, John D. [MI-16] (introduced 2/24/1987) Cosponsors (41)
Latest Major Action: 4/22/1988 Became Public Law No: 100-293.

Smacks of government-granted monopoly to me but, in essence it’s immaterial since we generally ignore it. Reimportation is no longer an issue because Big Pharma has cut off supply to virtually every “reimported” drug.

Most drugs we sell today are imported. From where you say? Hold on to your hats boys and girls! From Europe, New Zealand, Australia and the largest player in the pharmaceutical industry today……India. Yes, I said India.

There are more FDA approved, (yes I said FDA approved) manufacturing facilities in India than Europe and probably the U.S. by this writing. Why would the FDA have to approve them? Because they are manufacturing for the U.S. market.

The cost to do so is pennies on the dollar for Big Pharma. How do I know? Because my network (very quietly) contracted for the generic drugs made in the same facilities.

I gave you this background information to tell you this, there is a reason why prices have not gone down in the U.S., it’s because Big Pharma owns it and they are not about to pass a savings on to any American citizen - period.

Prices to consumers from our network have continuously decreased because we do what most decent, well-respected companies do in America, we purchase at the best price we can, take a reasonable profit, and pass the savings on to the buyer. We do not attempt to control competition or markets.

Thanks for the opportunity to post,

Rob McPherson

]]> By: ctsc http://www.healthcarebs.com/2007/05/10/ron-paul-is-wrong-on-drug-reimportation/#comment-1017 ctsc Thu, 10 May 2007 20:09:21 +0000 http://www.healthcarebs.com/2007/05/10/ron-paul-is-wrong-on-drug-reimportation/#comment-1017 There is absolutely zero evidence that lowering the massive premiums over profit that drug companies get on their products would reduce their commitment to R&D. In fact, the opposite follows logically, if drug companies cannot depend upon their old revenue streams (i.e. drugs they already make) to provide them with monies now and in the future they will be forced to develop new ones. There is absolutely zero evidence that lowering the massive premiums over profit that drug companies get on their products would reduce their commitment to R&D. In fact, the opposite follows logically, if drug companies cannot depend upon their old revenue streams (i.e. drugs they already make) to provide them with monies now and in the future they will be forced to develop new ones.

]]> By: Catron http://www.healthcarebs.com/2007/05/10/ron-paul-is-wrong-on-drug-reimportation/#comment-1013 Catron Thu, 10 May 2007 18:32:27 +0000 http://www.healthcarebs.com/2007/05/10/ron-paul-is-wrong-on-drug-reimportation/#comment-1013 Follow the link (in my post) to the Heritage site. It explains in some detail why allowing importation won't result in cheaper prices here. And importation will CREATE a price control situation for us, with the rate being set in Canada. Follow the link (in my post) to the Heritage site. It explains in some detail why allowing importation won’t result in cheaper prices here. And importation will CREATE a price control situation for us, with the rate being set in Canada.

]]> By: Avery Knapp http://www.healthcarebs.com/2007/05/10/ron-paul-is-wrong-on-drug-reimportation/#comment-1010 Avery Knapp Thu, 10 May 2007 16:59:28 +0000 http://www.healthcarebs.com/2007/05/10/ron-paul-is-wrong-on-drug-reimportation/#comment-1010 Milton Friedman said we should stop price controls and tarrifs UNILATERALLY if necessary. The same goes for importing pharmaceuticals, the law against which is essentially a tarrif. If another country can make drugs or steel or cars or whatever cheaper, let them and give us the best price. Milton Friedman said we should stop price controls and tarrifs UNILATERALLY if necessary. The same goes for importing pharmaceuticals, the law against which is essentially a tarrif. If another country can make drugs or steel or cars or whatever cheaper, let them and give us the best price.

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