Health Alert: FDA to explore importing drugs to combat sudden price increases

The Food and Drug Administration is creating a working group to consider importing drugs from overseas to ease "access disruptions" caused by a sudden, significant price increase for a drug produced by a single manufacturer and not covered by patents. One case in which importation might have been helpful involved Daraprim, a drug often used by patients with HIV. Its price was hiked by Martin Shkreli in 2015. Importation is staunchly opposed by the pharmaceutical industry and most Republicans. During the presidential campaign, Donald Trump expressed support for the idea, but it wasn't included in the administration's recent proposal to bring down drug prices. Many Democrats support importation.

Democracy Dies in Darkness     Health Alert Jul 19, 8:16 AM     FDA to explore importing drugs to combat sudden price increases The Food and Drug Administration is creating a working group to consider importing drugs from overseas to ease "access disruptions" caused by a sudden, significant price increase for a drug produced by a single manufacturer and not covered by patents. One case in which importation might have been helpful involved Daraprim, a drug often used by patients with HIV. Its price was hiked by Martin Shkreli in 2015. Importation is staunchly opposed by the pharmaceutical industry and most Republicans. During the presidential campaign, Donald Trump expressed support for the idea, but it wasn't included in the administration's recent proposal to bring down drug prices. Many Democrats support importation. Read more » Advertisement You received this email because you signed up for news alerts from The Washington Post. Manage my newsletters and alerts | Unsubscribe Privacy Policy | Help ©2018 The Washington Post, 1301 K St NW, Washington DC 20071