COLUMN FROM STATE REPRESENTATIVE GALE D. CANDARAS

We are all aware of the escalating costs of prescription drugs. Young and old alike are finding it very difficult to purchase the prescriptions they need for their health. And I am sure you are aware that many are even taking the trip to Canada to make their purchase, at tremendous savings. Even though this practice is not allowed under current Federal law, many are overlooking that fact in order to procure their medications at a rate they can more easily afford.

Recently, numerous members of the legislature, myself included, sent a letter to Senators Kennedy and Kerry seeking their support and assistance with H.R. 2427, the Pharmaceutical Market Access Act of 2003, as it passed the U.S. House of Representatives this July. This legislation would legalize the reimportation of FDA-approved drugs into the United States, making current practices legal and accessible to all.

I have also signed onto legislation, which seeks to Establish a Program to Reduce Prescription Drug Prices to Residents of the Commonwealth. This program would provide information to residents of the commonwealth regarding the purchase of prescription drugs from sources within and without the Commonwealth, including, but not limited to, Canadian sources. It would offer eligible people with the preparation of an application for prescription medications or nonprescription medications to participating manufacturers; purchase of prescription drugs from within and without the Commonwealth; assistance to physicians with communication.

While a very daunting task, we in the legislature are working hard in order to bring some type of relief to the residents of the Commonwealth with their prescription drug costs.