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Hagan to Introduce Prescription Drug Legislation
COLUMBUS, Ohio -- State Sen. Robert Hagan (D-Youngstown) today announced he will introduce legislation that would allow state and local government to purchase prescription drugs from outside the United States for use by their employees.The legislation will be modeled after similar initiatives taking place in Minnesota, North Dakota, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Wisconsin, the state senator said. Several other states, including Illinois and Michigan, are exploring similar proposals, according to Hagan. Hagan's bill would allow for the licensure and regulation of foreign pharmacies by the Ohio State Board of Pharmacy. "I am drafting legislation that simply extends the Board of Pharmacy's existing authority to include prescription drug outlets and pharmacies in Canada and abroad," he said. The intent of the legislation is to allow the state and local governments to purchase prescription drugs from outside the U.S. for use by their employees, Hagan explained. It will also allow the state to purchase prescription drugs at drastically lower prices for uninsured Ohioans. "There is an incredible amount of rhetoric being thrown at the public that suggests imported drugs are unsafe," Hagan said. "We can craft legislation here in Ohio that protects consumers with the full force of our laws and at the same time give seniors and the uninsured the prescription drug cost relief they have needed for nearly a decade. I hope to get this bill before the Senate as soon as possible so we can finally lie to rest the drug manufacturer's campaign of fear that has quashed the re-importation debate for too long." In 2003 Ohio spent over $58 million on prescription drugs for its state employees. In 1993 the state spent $9 million, Hagan noted."Drug manufacturers need to stop putting profit ahead of accessibility and affordability of drugs for our consumers," he said."I am astounded by the cost to our state for prescription drugs for state employees. But even this figure pales in comparison to the amount local governments spend for their employees and we spend on Medicaid prescription drugs for the uninsured." "