Ha. Ahhhhaaaaahaaaahahaha. Haaa. Haaa. Aheh. Heh. Obviously the bovine
encephalitis threat prohibiting export of Canadian beef to the US
hasn't created any shortage of bovine doo-doo there. This altruistic
gesture is so heartwarming. Excuse me while I get a tissue. Or a hose.
From http://www.phrma.org/publications/publications/20.08.2003.832.cfm
Imports carry risks
The health care status quo indeed must change. Our health system has
not kept up with dramatic advances in pharmaceutical research, leaving
too many patients with limited access to medicines.
Medicines themselves are changing the status quo, as they play a
growing role in health care. They account for just 10 cents of each
health dollar, yet are revolutionizing the care of cancer, heart
disease, depression and other illnesses. This investment allows
patients to avoid hospitalizations, surgery and lost time at work.
The same 10 cents also helps pay for research on tomorrow's medicines
that will provide better treatments for diseases such as Alzheimer's.
We need these new medicines to avoid human suffering and enormous
costs for the government and families.
Other health services cost much more than medicines, but today's
debate is only about pharmaceuticals. That's because insurance
coverage for drugs isn't nearly as good as insurance for hospital and
physician care. So the first needed change to the status quo is
insurance designed for today's health care, not yesterday's. That's
why the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America supports
passing a meaningful Medicare prescription drug bill this year. It's
time seniors and disabled persons got coverage and the discounts that
come with it.
The bill passed by the House to allow imports of medicines from more
than 20 foreign countries is the wrong type of change. The bill
prohibits the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) from barring such
imports even if it determines it can't be done safely. The FDA has
consistently opposed this idea because it exposes Americans to
dangerous imports. After the House acted, 53 senators said they oppose
stripping the FDA's authority to ensure the safety of America's
medicines.
This bill also imports foreign governments' price controls. These
price controls are drying up the discovery of new medicines in Europe.
America now leads the world in discovering new medicines. Let's not
cut that short with the price controls that led to Europe's decline.
For patients who can't afford medicines, we urge you to avoid the
risks of unsafe imports. Instead, go to www.helpingpatients.org.
You'll find information about pharmaceutical-company programs offering
free and discounted medicines to millions.