Plan to allow drug imports from Canada gains momentum

Kaiser Health News reported on some updates regarding the plan to allow at least some drugs to be imported from Canada. Apparently, each state needs to be individually approved and the legislature of six states have decided to pursue the process.

As with other large policy changes, there are multiple ways that the intended effect might not be as big as hoped. The Canadian government is reported to have responded "Canada will employ all necessary measures to safeguard access for Canadians to needed drugs." Additionally, there are some concerns about whether states would be limited to working with only one Canadian wholesaler, and whether the approval would be long enough for partners to fully invest in the changes. Nevertheless, if this policy takes root, the pharmaceutical industry might need to re-think its overall pricing strategy.