Rep. Louis Laverone, of California, Mr. Jackson, Mr. Lowe, Mr. Dean, Mr. Green, Mr. Toyad, Mr. Gault, Mr. Montoya, Mr. Martin, Mr. Milam, Mr. Dillons, Mr. Conway, and Mr. Smith submit to the Commerce and Energy Committee:

A BILL

To authorize and regulate the importation of prescription drugs from Canada.

Be it enacted by the Senate, House of Representatives, and the President of the United States.

SECTION 1: SHORT TITLE

This bill may be referred to as the North American Prescription Drug Act.

SECTION 2: FINDINGS

1. That the cost of prescription drugs is on the rise due to increasing demand for a limited supply within the United States.

2. That many citizens are turning to drugs imported from Canada due to the exorbitant cost of said drugs.

3. That such importation is currently prohibited by the United States government, primarily due to the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) inability to regulate drugs produced in Canada.

4. That opening U.S. markets to Canadian-made prescription drugs would help alleviate the inflated cost of said prescription drugs.

SECTION 3: DEFINITIONS

The term "Canada" refers to the Dominion of Canada.

"Drug," "Prescription Drug," and "Pharmaceutical," all refer to medications prescribed by a doctor.

Health Canada is the department of the Canadian federal government that regulates prescription drug production, distribution, and testing.

"Operations and Regulatory Procedures" refers to regulations and standards for the testing and distribution of prescription drugs as mandated by the FDA and Health Canada.

SECTION 4: IMPORTATION OF CANADIAN DRUGS

Upon approval of this bill by the Congress and the President, the importation of prescription drugs from Canada shall be made legal and shall be regulated by all relevant agencies within the United States.

SECTION 5: REGULATION OF DRUGS PRODUCED IN CANADA

In order to ensure the safety of drugs imported into the United States from Canada, and to protect the health and well-being of United States citizens, a Joint North American Drug Review Board shall be assembled with consent from the governments of the United States and Canada.

This review board shall be entrusted to regulate the testing and production of prescription drugs produced in Canada, and will be composed of representatives from the United States and Canada. The review board shall carry out its mandate by coordinating operations and regulatory procedures between the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and Health Canada.

SECTION 6: ENACTMENT

This act shall go into effect exactly two (2) years after its approval by the governments of the United States and Canada.

Aye

Aye

Aye

Aye

Aye.

Aye

The Chair votes Aye.

This bill passes by a vote of 7-0.