BIO blasts reimportation amendment

The Biotechnology Industry Organization lambasted House passage of an amendment to the Agriculture appropriations bill that would allow individuals to import FDA-approved prescription drugs from the European Union and Canada for personal use (see BioCentury Extra, July 11). S*BIO said the amendment from Reb. Gil Gutknecht (R-Minn.) will "open American borders to potentially dangerous drugs and biologicals that 'appear' to look like the real thing." The House did reject an amendment from Rep. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) that would have allowed pharmacies, wholesalers and other re-sellers to reimport prescription drugs from countries where prices are controlled. ...