[20010824]RS20996_处方药：进口自用.pdf

Congressional Research Service The Library of CongressCRS Report for CongressReceived through the CRS WebOrder Code RS20996August 24, 2001Prescription Drugs:Importation for Personal UseDonna U. VogtBlanchard Randall IVDomestic Social Policy DivisionSummaryThe 107th Congress, concerned about the high costs of pharmaceuticals in theUnited States, is considering legislation that would give U.S. citizens the legal right toimport less costly prescription drugs from foreign countries. The House, in the FY2002appropriations for the Department of Agriculture (H.R. 2330), adopted an amendment,sponsored by Representative Gutknecht that would let persons, who are not commercialdrug importers import prescription drugs for personal use. Under the amendment, drugsmust be Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved, non-narcotic, andmanufactured in an FDA-registered facility. In the Senate, a different proposal to allowdrug imports (S.1229) was introduced by Senator Wellstone. It would allow patients toimport prescription drugs if they are FDA-approved, non-narcotic, made in FDA-registered facilities, originate from specified countries, and are accompanied by a specialimport form. FDA would have