Title: An act relating to importation of prescription drugs from Canadian wholesalers.

Brief Description: Allowing the importation of certain prescription drugs from Canadian wholesalers.

Sponsors: Representatives Schual-Berke, Simpson, Kessler, Morrell, Kilmer, Upthegrove, Clibborn, Hasegawa, Conway, Roberts, Takko, Moeller, Kagi, Dickerson, Campbell and Ormsby; by request of Governor Gregoire.

Brief History:

Health Care: 1/25/05, 2/1/05 [DPS].

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH CARE

Majority Report: The substitute bill be substituted therefor and the substitute bill do pass. Signed by 7 members: Representatives Cody, Chair; Morrell, Vice Chair; Appleton, Clibborn, Green, Moeller and Schual-Berke.

Minority Report: Do not pass. Signed by 6 members: Representatives Bailey, Ranking Minority Member; Curtis, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Alexander, Condotta, Hinkle and Skinner.

Staff: Dave Knutson (786-7146).

Background:

The Department of Health (Department) currently licenses pharmacies located in Washington state, and out-of-state pharmacies that provide services to Washington residents. The Department maintains reciprocal licensing agreements with other State's pharmacy licensing authorities. The Department does not license pharmacies located in foreign countries.

Summary of Substitute Bill:

The Board of Pharmacy is required to submit a waiver request to the federal Food and Drug Administration authorizing Washington to license Canadian prescription drug wholesalers. If the Department is unable to develop a reciprocal licensing agreement with Health Canada or a Canadian province, it will license participating Canadian pharmacies through on-site inspection and certification.

Substitute Bill Compared to Original Bill:

The Board of Pharmacy is not required to enter into a reciprocal agreement for the licensing of Canadian drug wholesalers.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Requested on 1/20/05.

Effective Date of Substitute Bill: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Testimony For: Licensing Canadian wholesalers and allowing them to ship drugs to Washington pharmacies will protect the safety of the drug and deliver a lower price to the consumer.

Testimony Against: The federal government will not allow Washington to do this.

Persons Testifying: (In support) Representative Schual-Berke, prime sponsor; Ree Sailors, Office of the Governor; Robby Stern, Washington State Labor Council; Ruth Shearer, Senior Lobby; Michael Warren, Washington State Association for Retired Americans; Bruce Reeves, Senior Citizens Lobby; Bill Daley, Washington Citizen Action; Dr. Art Zoloth, Northwest Pharmacy Services; Lauren Moughon, American Association of Retired Persons; and Eleanor Owen.

(Opposed) Dr. Bruce Montgomery, Washington Biotechnology and Biomedical Association and Corus Pharma, Inc.; Randy Hassler, Amgen; and Cliff Webster, Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America.

Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: None.