Title: An act relating to reimportation of prescription drugs.

Brief Description: Authorizing the state board of pharmacy to regulate nonresident Canadian pharmacies.

Sponsors: House Committee on Appropriations (originally sponsored by Representatives Appleton, O'Brien, Cody, Campbell, Moeller, P. Sullivan, Chase, Flannigan, McCoy, Sells, Simpson, Darneille, Hasegawa, McIntire, Murray, McDermott, Morrell, Green, Schual-Berke, Kagi, Kessler, Dickerson, Kenney, Hankins, Conway, Lantz, Ormsby, Wallace and Upthegrove).

Brief History: Passed House: 2/25/05, 54-41.

Committee Activity: Health & Long-Term Care: 3/23/05, 3/24/05 [DP-WM, DNP, w/oRec].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH & LONG-TERM CARE

Majority Report: Do pass and be referred to Committee on Ways & Means.Signed by Senators Keiser, Chair; Thibaudeau, Vice Chair; Deccio, Ranking Minority Member; Franklin, Kastama and Kline.

Minority Report: Do not pass.Signed by Senator Parlette.

Minority Report: That it be referred without recommendation.Signed by Senator Johnson.

Staff: Sharon Swanson (786-7447)

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 Bill: The Department of Health is required to license Canadian pharmacies that provide services to Washington residents.

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.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available. New fiscal note requested on March 18, 2005.

Committee/Commission/Task Force Created: No.

Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Testimony For: This bill will help individuals who are not able to go to their local pharmacist because they do not have coverage and cannot afford the high cost of prescription drugs. The bill provides additional assistance in lowering the cost of prescription drugs.

Testimony Against: This is another step towards price control. The safety and quality of drugs imported from foreign countries cannot be assured. We are placing people in danger by doing this.

Who Testified: PRO: Representative Appleton, prime sponsor; Dr. Art Zoloth, Northwest Pharmacists Association; Bill Daley, Washington Citizen Action.

CON: Cliff Webster, Pharmaceutical Research & Manufacturers Association.