Posted At Reno Gazette-Journal

By: Kathleen Hennessey

Republican Gov. Kenny Guinn has signed a bill that helps consumers buy prescription drugs from Canadian pharmacies, adding Nevada to the list of states in open revolt against the Bush administration's drug importation policies.

Nevada will begin inspecting and licensing Canadian pharmacies, which will then be listed on a state-run Web site. Eight states and the District of Columbia operate similar programs.

The measure was backed by Assembly Democrats, who said the Web site will give Nevadans access to cheaper prescriptions and express their opposition to the federal ban on importing drugs from foreign countries for personal use.

The Bush administration opposes prescription drug imports, and federal regulators warn they can't guarantee the safety of drugs from outside U.S. borders.

Guinn initially said he wouldn't sign the bill unless he could be assured it provided access to safe medications and was not a violation of federal law.

Guinn spokesman John Trent said amendments eased the governor's safety concerns.

"It seems as if all the safeguards that needed to be built in have been built in,' he said.

SB5 was amended to limit the medications available through the site to only Food and Drug Administration-approved drugs.

In a letter sent to Guinn last month, an FDA official told the governor that the federal law on the issue was clear.

"Accordingly, if an entity or person were to import prescription drugs into the state of Nevada from Canada, that importation would violate the (Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act) in virtually every instance,' wrote Randall Lutter, FDA associate commissioner.

Despite the warning, the governor agreed to sign the bill after negotiations with Democrats, who backed the governor's $300 million tax rebate plan.

"I do believe this is a coming time in America when we need to take a look (at the importation issue),' Guinn said recently. "If we can regulate it, certainly, and I think this bill is well laid-out.'

The governor does not consider the bill a statement of opposition to federal policy, Trent said.

"He thinks this is a good piece of legislation and he supports it,' he said.

The governor signed the bill late Friday, did not issue a statement and was not available for comment.

Assemblywoman Barbara Buckley, D-Las Vegas, the primary sponsor of the bill, has said the bill will help low-income people and seniors because drugs in Canada are subject to price controls and can be up to 40 percent cheaper than the same medication in the U.S.

Nevada's Board of Pharmacy has received about half a dozen applications from Canadian pharmacies seeking licenses, most located in Winnipeg, Manitoba. State officials plan to go to Winnipeg in October to be briefed on Canadian standards and begin inspections.