Posted At Farmington Observer

By: Stacey Jenkins

Oakland County Democrats unveiled a plan they say could substantially cut the cost of many popular prescription drugs for Michigan residents.

But the proposed legislation isn't getting support from the other side of the aisle in Lansing.

Reps. Aldo Vagnozzi (D-Farmington Hills) and Marie Donigan (D-Royal Oak) announced they plan to introduce legislation in the House that would allow Michigan to participate in what is known as the I-SaveRx program.

Administered by the state of Illinois, the program reimports prescription drugs from Canada and Europe at drastically reduced prices compared to those charged within the United States. About 150 brand name prescription drugs would be available at 25- to 50-percent discounts. The program allows Michigan to contract with a Canadian clearinghouse, which connects consumers with Canadian and European pharmacies and wholesalers.

The program, currently used in Wisconsin, Missouri, Vermont and Kansas, is free for residents, except for a nominal administration fee. It would be available only for refills on name brand drugs that treat chronic and long-term conditions. All Michigan residents would be eligible to participate.

The time is right, said Vagnozzi and Donigan, who are joined by Rep. Paul Condino (D-Southfield), Rep. Andy Meisner (D-Ferndale) and Rep. Clarence Phillips (D-Pontiac) on the proposed legislation.

The Oakland County Democrats held press conferences Monday in Farmington Hills and Royal Oak.

"Our message today is, 'enough is enough,'" said Donigan, the lead sponsor. "The price of prescription drugs in Michigan has reached a crisis level, it really has."

Vagnozzi said the "skyrocketing" cost of prescription drugs is forcing many families and senior citizens "to choose between filling their prescriptions and filling their grocery bags."

Condino said the legislation would provide bulk buying power.

"We can use the state's market clout by pooling our resources with other states to negotiate drug price discounts and rebates on behalf of our uninsured residents," he said. "We can leverage our buying power and drive down the cost of prescription drugs." v

It's not that simple, according to House Republicans.

For consumers, buying prescription drugs from abroad is not the same as buying a DVD or a pair of tennis shoes, said Jason Brewer, House Republican spokesman. He said Republicans do not support this plan because it doesn't safeguard consumers from potential dangers of receiving counterfeit drugs, adding there is no way to guarantee the authenticity of the drugs coming from other countries.

Since the plan entails reimportation, supporters of the plan say the drugs are manufactured in the states, exported to other countries then would be sold back to Americans. Brewer argues the rise in demand means Canada, for example, would buy the drugs from other countries, including Brazil, China and Iran.

"Many of the drugs people believe are manufactured in America are actually manufactured overseas and are being sold to American consumers," Brewer said.

Republicans in Lansing recognize the problem, Brewer said, but do not support the reimportation idea.

"We're certainly open to innovative ideas and solutions, but putting consumers at risk is something we do not support," he said.

Brewer noted the upcoming prescription drug benefit that will be added to the federal Medicare program, which he said "will go a long way" in helping people to afford their prescriptions.

Oakland Democrats hoped for bipartisan support for the reimportation plan.

"You would think (Republicans) would be concerned about this major problem," Vagnozzi said. "We're going to have to face it sooner or later. I just hope it's sooner."

Brewer said Republicans are concerned.

"This particular solution is not something we feel is the right approach," he said.

Both sides invite public input on the issue.

"It's going to have to take a lot of public involvement," Vagnozzi said.