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The Business Council strongly opposes S.371 (Skoufis) which would create a wholesale prescription drug importation program for the importation of drugs from Canada. This legislation would create tremendous risk to the safety and integrity of New York’s prescription drug supply chain without decreasing overall costs of drugs.
Currently, The Drug Supply Chain Security Act (DSCSA) protects quality and safety of the drugs and ensures that they are being utilized properly. This law has created a system meant to track and identify each package of drugs and trace as they are distributed across the country. Ultimately the responsibility of public protection is on the states. This legislation does not take into consideration that current Canadian law does not prohibit the transshipment of drugs from any country. Meaning, this legislation would allow drugs from many other countries that do not meet the criteria we have under federal law into New York while potentially exposing New Yorkers to dangerous drugs. The Food and Drug Administration found that 85% of drugs sold by Canadian pharmacies come from 27 different countries other than Canada. The legislation is relying on Canadian authorities having the ability and resources to inspect drugs destined for New York, we cannot use that assumption when it comes to the safety and wellbeing of New Yorkers.
Additionally, this bill would mandate the Department of Health and State Education Department to undertake the massive endeavor creating a system for importation. This would require hiring staff as well as a large financial burden to start and then ultimately run this program, further eliminating any potential costs savings.
The Business Council has worked with members and partners in both private and public sectors for years to help eliminate the opioid crisis that has ravaged our state. We have seen significant improvement throughout the healthcare system and workers compensations system. Any program that would jeopardize this fight and make it harder to ensure quality and safety of drugs imported into New York should not be considered.
For these reasons The Business Council strongly opposes S.371 (Skoufis)