ND prescription drug bill kicked

The North Dakota House has rejected a drug importation bill designed to help lower prescription costs.

The bill was intended to allow North Dakota to join other states to import medicine from north of the border.  It’s estimated that in some cases drug costs in Canada are 60 to 80 percent less than in the U.S.

Representative Kathy Skroch says there’s one hitch – and it’s a big one.  “We learned that Canada is not a willing partner in this proposal.”

Skroch says the solution to lowering costs is increased production of drugs U.S. soils.  “Americans consumer 44% of the global prescription drug supply compared to Canada’s 2%.”

Supporters say the current system is broken and although this might not be the perfect solution it’s worth a try.  The bill was defeated 69-22.