Department of Pharmacy Practice and Administration, Ohio State University Columbus, OH, USA.
Ther Clin Risk Manag. 2007 Mar;3(1):41-6. doi: 10.2147/tcrm.2007.3.1.41.
Drug reimportation is perceived as a costs-cutting strategy by Americans. Nonetheless, issues such as drug safety and efficacy prevent legalization of the practice. With the contradictory views from supporters and opponents, debate on drug reimportation continues to snowball. The objective of this commentary is to discuss issues regarding drug reimportation practices in the United States (US). It also examines policy implications and potential solutions of the controversy.
Comparatively inexpensive drugs available across the border help Americans relieve the burden of medication costs. Consequently, the volume of reimported drugs entering the US has considerably increased. However, these practices are illegal and legalization of drug reimportation is a political debate. While safety is the most important barrier for legalization, this concern does not seem to affect growing number of Americans who are getting their prescriptions filled from across the border. Canadians oppose legalization of reimportation in the US as it could exacerbate the problem of medication shortage in Canada.
Currently, legalization of dug reimportation has wedged between the arguments by different groups. Until the US government finds a solution to reduce medication costs, it seems to be impossible to stop Americans from buying the comparatively inexpensive medications available across the border.
药品再进口被美国人视为一种降低成本的策略。然而，药品安全和疗效等问题阻碍了该做法的合法化。由于支持者和反对者的观点相互矛盾，关于药品再进口的争论继续愈演愈烈。本文的目的是讨论美国药品再进口实践中的一些问题。本文还考察了该争议的政策影响和潜在解决方案。
与美国相比，边境地区的药品价格相对便宜，这有助于美国人减轻药品费用的负担。因此，进入美国的再进口药品数量显著增加。然而，这些做法是非法的，药品再进口的合法化是一个政治辩论。尽管安全是合法化的最重要障碍，但这一担忧似乎并没有影响越来越多的从边境购买处方药物的美国人。加拿大反对美国药品再进口的合法化，因为这可能会加剧加拿大的药物短缺问题。
目前，药品再进口的合法化问题在不同利益群体的争论中陷入僵局。在美国政府找到降低药品成本的解决方案之前，似乎不可能阻止美国人从边境购买相对便宜的药物。
