Senate health committee Chairman Lamar Alexander on Thursday made the following statement on the formation by the Food and Drug Administration of a new work group to develop focused drug importation policy options to reduce shortages and increase competition:
“I’m glad to see the Secretary explore new ways to increase competition and lower drug prices by importing prescription drugs so long as the Food and Drug Administration approves the safety and effectiveness of those drugs and of the supply chains that carry them to American consumers.
“The Food and Drug Administration already approves the manufacture of prescription drugs in facilities overseas and it approves safe supply chains for those prescription drugs, so it makes sense to explore whether the FDA can do that in specific instances that increase competition and lower prices.”