Saturday, December 12, 2009

Senate Democrats seek compromise on drug imports

Senate Democrats seek compromise on drug imports; Reuters

Democrats scrambled on Friday to resolve a stalemate over whether to permit imports of cheaper prescription drugs from Canada and elsewhere as part of a larger effort to overhaul the U.S. healthcare system. ...

Importing prescription drugs, also known as "reimportation," has been an issue for years as U.S. consumers look for cheaper alternatives for prescription medications that can cost hundreds or thousands of dollars a year, especially for those without health insurance.

Despite days of debate over the measure, Democrats remained divided over the issue in large part over safety concerns.

Some critics charged the real split was over the $80 billion, 10-year deal under which drug companies promised the White House and certain senators they would charge the government less for some medications and pay higher taxes.

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