U.S. Rep. Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio) wants to enlist the support of Governor Bob Taft for pending legislation in Congress that would legalize the importation of significantly less expensive prescription drugs from Canada and other nations. Congressman Brown says pharmaceutical companies routinely charge Americans two to five times more for drugs than consumers in Canada and other industrialized nations. He wants Governor Taft to follow the lead of other states and give Ohioans access to safe "and much more affordable prescription" drugs.
Congressman Brown said Republican Governor Tim Pawlenty of Minnesota had established a website that helps residents access medicine imported from Canada. Democratic Governor Tom Vilsack of Iowa has asked the FDA to authorize neighborhood pharmacies in Iowa to sell medicine imported from Canada. Rep. Brown said Wisconsin, New Hampshire, North Dakota, and Rhode Island already have established importation websites.