Cutting Drug Costs: TN Senator's Plan to Import from Canada

Plan could save state taxpayers millions

A Tennessee legislator is proposing a plan that would allow the state to import prescription drugs from Canada, potentially saving the state and taxpayers millions of dollars each year.

Sen. London Lamar of Memphis has filed legislation that would create a drug importation program pending approval from the federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Lamar pointed to a similar plan that was approved in Florida and is estimated to save that state nearly $200 million a year.

One study suggests that importing drugs from Canada could cut the final purchase price of approved medicines in half.

“I want every Tennessean to have access to safe and affordable prescription drugs,” said Lamar, chair of the Senate Democratic Caucus. “With this legislation, we can reduce costs to taxpayers and make sure that vulnerable populations in our state have access to life-saving prescription drugs.”

State Sen. London LamarPhoto bySenate Democratic Caucus