NACDS Concerned about New Reimportation Bill

The National Association of Chain Drug Stores (NACDS) has written to U.S. Senator Olympia Snowe (R-ME) to express concerns with S. 319, the Pharmaceutical Market Access and Drug Safety Act of 2011. According to NACDS, the bill seeks to authorize the reimportation of prescription medications and permits the implementation of a track-and-trace system for prescription drugs.

“NACDS shares your goal of reducing prescription drug costs. However, we do not believe that consumer safety can be ensured under a prescription drug reimportation system,” wrote Steven Anderson, president and CEO, to Sen. Snowe.

NACDS also raised questions about the development of prescription drug track-and-trace system. “It is important to consider the complexities, technical and feasibility issues, and formidable costs for all drug supply chain stakeholders if such [track-and-trace] systems were mandated.  These systems have not undergone pilot programs to test their reliability, scalability, and address implementation and operational concerns.”

NACDS encouraged Congress to enact legislation that would advance pharmacist-provided medication therapy management (MTM) services and increase generic utilization. “Instead of pursing importation as a way to reduce drug expenditures, we urge the consideration of policies to support cost-saving alternatives, such as greater adoption of medication therapy management (MTM) and increased generic utilization,” wrote Anderson.

View the letter to Sen. Snowe on S. 319, the Pharmaceutical Market Access and Drug Safety Act of 2011 here.