Ellison Plans to Introduce Personal Pharmaceutical Import Legislation, Solicits Sponsors

U.S. House Rep. Keith Ellison, D-Minn., is soliciting original co-sponsors for the Personal Drug Importation Fairness Act of 2013, according to a request sent to other House members on Dec. 5. “The bill would give access to safe, reasonably priced prescription drugs by allowing for the personal importation and reimportation of prescription drugs from countries with safety standards that are at least as strong as those of the United States,” said the request. “The Personal Drug Importation Fairness Act of 2013 allows Americans to buy prescription drugs from first tier countries, which include: Australia, Canada, Israel, Japan, New Zealand, Switzerland, South Africa, and member-states of the European Union.” Ellison intends to introduce the legislation next week, said an office spokeswoman.