Trade organizations try to derail re-import initiatives

Trade associations representing the biotech and pharmaceutical industries launched late-stage efforts Friday to derail politically popular initiatives to allow re-importation of FDA-approved drugs. The Republican congressional leadership and President Clinton agreed earlier this week to enact re-importation legislation before Congress adjourns (see BioCentury Extra, Tuesday Sept. 26). Only one member of Congress, Rep. John Dingell (D-Mich.), has taken a public stand against re-importation.

Now that negotiation of details has started, however, cracks have started to form in support for the measure. Congressional Republicans sent proposed legislation to the White House Thursday which contains provisions such as a three-year sunset and halting re-imports if FDA fails to completely block counterfeits from entering the U.S. These provisions are opposed by some of the strongest supporters of re-importation in both parties. If Clinton and Republican leaders agree on specific language, the re-importation measure is likely to be attached to an agriculture appropriations bill that may be vetoed because of unrelated issues. ...