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Central Florida News


Florida is Another Step Closer to Getting a Canadian Drug Importation Program

by (WMFE)
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Under the program-the Agency for Health Care Administration would approve Canadian pharmacies that could sell drugs in the state.  Then these companies could only sell drugs that meet FDA safety standards and are within federal patent law. Photo: Flickr Creative Commons

Under the program-the Agency for Health Care Administration would approve Canadian pharmacies that could sell drugs in the state.  Then these companies could only sell drugs that meet FDA safety standards and are within federal patent law. Photo: Flickr Creative Commons

Governor Ron DeSantis signed a Canadian drug importation bill into law today in the Villages.

The DeSantis administration is working with the Agency for Health Care Administration to draft a plan that outlines how the program will be safe and cost-effective for patients.

It will present this plan to U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Secretary Alex Azar.

And if he approves it, Canadian pharmacies could start importing drugs to Florida in as little as six months.

That’s something DeSantis says could save the state a lot of money.

“Because we pay a lot of money for drugs for prisoners and my hope is that consumers will see savings for themselves and their drugs.”

Under the program, the Agency for Health Care Administration would approve a list of Canadian pharmacies and wholesalers who could import drugs that meet FDA safety standards.

DeSantis says with President Trump’s support he expects the program to be approved and soon.

“I’m going to be talking with the President next week more about it. We envision maybe this taking until next year for us to do it, but we’re moving quicker because the President says he wants to move quicker.”

Certain drugs like controlled substances and biological products would not be eligible for sale in the program.

If you’d like to listen to the full story, please click on the clip above.


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Danielle Prieur

About Danielle Prieur

Reporter

Danielle Prieur grew up listening to her grandfather’s stories of swimming across the Detroit River from Canada and many other adventures. She’s been into storytelling ever since. She studied writing at the University of Michigan. She trained in public radio at WDET’s Detroit newsroom, and is really excited ... Read Full Bio »

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