Vermont Becomes First State to Allow Wholesalers to Import Canadian Drugs

Vermont’s governor Phil Scott signed a bill Wednesday to allow wholesalers to import drugs across the Canadian border.

The legislation authorizes Vermont’s Agency of Human Services to create a list of the 10 to 15 most expensive drugs for Vermonters and designate a state agency to serve as or contract with a licensed wholesaler to import the drugs.

Only drugs meeting FDA standards for safety and efficacy — and expected to result in significant savings for consumers  — would be imported on behalf of the state.