April 20, 2004 - Ill. looks to Europe for cheaper Rx drugs
Chicago, IL, Apr. 20 (UPI) -- Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich is sending a state delegation to Europe to investigate importation of cheaper prescription drugs from overseas.
Blagojevich told a Chicago news conference Tuesday U.S. drug companies are trying to restrict supplies of price-controlled medicines from Canada to keep their drugs from being re-sold in the United States. The governor is already lobbying the federal government to allow state employees to buy prescription drugs from Canada to save money.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration says it cannot guarantee the safety of imported prescription drugs.
A study completed earlier this year found Illinois' 230,000 employees and retirees could save $91 million a year by purchasing cheaper prescription drugs from Canadian pharmacies.
Blagojevich says a panel of experts will research whether European countries that have price controls could provide cheaper prescription drugs. The delegation will look at drug manufacture and distribution in France, Britain, Ireland and Switzerland.
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