Enzi Supports Drug Importation If Security, Cost Issues Resolved

The new chairman of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee said he would support legislation allowing the importation of pharmaceuticals into the U.S., but noted that such a plan could conflict with the mission of the FDA.

Chairman Michael Enzi (R-Wyo.) said he could support drug importation as long as the plan ensures the security of drugs and allows initial imports from foreign countries to begin on a staggered basis, instead of enabling every country to begin selling drugs into the U.S. at the same time.

That approach seems to fit with a recent HHS task force report that came out on safety and importation, and cost savings, Enzi told reporters after a HELP Committee hearing on the nomination of Michael Leavitt to head HHS. The report seemed to indicate that if we imported drugs, "the cost savings would just about equal the additional costs we'd have in administration," Enzi said.

"So somehow we've got to be able to hold down the administration [costs] to be able to do that, but still assure people that they have safe pharmaceuticals," Enzi said, noting that any legislation to do so would put the HELP Committee in an interesting position regarding the FDA.