AMA Supports In-Person Importation of Canadian Drugs

The American Medical Association voted in favor of a motion to endorse in-person purchasing of drugs from Canadian pharmacies in its semi-annual policy meeting last weekend.

The motion only endorses such importation in limited quantities. In its report recommending the proposal, the AMA Council on Medical Service noted it would not be a comprehensive or long-term solution to drug affordability.

The motion comes five months after HHS announced it would explore options for importing drugs experiencing price hikes in cases where the products are not protected by patents or exclusivity and are only manufactured by one company domestically.