SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 28
WHEREAS, Missourians spent approximately $30 billion on health care last year; and
WHEREAS, this spending represents 16% of the gross state product; and
WHEREAS, prescription drugs were 12.8% of health care spending; and
WHEREAS, pharmacy costs were 30.9% of Medicaid general revenue; and
WHEREAS, the average cost per prescription for seniors rose by 48% between 1992 and 2000 and is expected to rise another 72% by 2010; and
WHEREAS, 22% of seniors skip doses or allow prescriptions to go unfilled because of the high costs; and
WHEREAS, consumers pay 30% to 50% less for the same drugs in Canada; and
WHEREAS, in 2001, pharmaceutical companies imported $14.7 billion of drugs for consumption in the United States; and
WHEREAS, we live in a global economy and should have access to goods produced by trade partners; and
WHEREAS, access to Canadian pharmaceuticals could save Missouri consumers and the state of Missouri millions of dollars; and
WHEREAS, the importation of Canadian pharmaceuticals is currently prohibited by the federal Food and Drug Administration:
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the members of the Missouri Senate, Ninety-Second General Assembly, Second Regular Session, the House of Representatives concurring therein, hereby urge the President of the United States to order the Food and Drug Administration to lift the ban on Canadian pharmaceuticals; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Secretary of the Missouri Senate be instructed to prepare properly inscribed copies of this resolution for the President of the United States and Missouri's Congressional delegation.