Trump bucks his own party again. This time, it's on importing drugs from Canada

[Polybius]

Source: CNN

(CNN)President Donald Trump's latest plan to lower drug prices is drawing concerns from Health Secretary Alex Azar, a former pharmaceutical executive who has called drug importation a "gimmick."

The President is embracing a controversial Florida proposal to import drugs from Canada, which Republicans have long opposed and many health experts have questioned.

The measure -- backed by Florida Republicans Gov. Rick DeSantis and Rep. Matt Gaetz, both close Trump allies -- requires federal approval. Trump has spoken highly of the idea and has told Azar to pursue the issue as a way to reduce the cost of prescription drugs.

But as recently as last week, Azar expressed reservations during a meeting with Trump, DeSantis and Gaetz, prompting a "spirited discussion," Gaetz told CNN.

Read more: https://www.cnn.com/2019/05/15/politics/trump-drug-importation-florida/index.html

[democratisphere]

1. I'm all for this. The American Pharmaceutical white collar and

white coat criminal cartel needs huge competition from outside the country. Canada is a good place to start for outsourcing prescriptions for Americans.

[MarcA]

2. Why would Any Repubs be in favor of lowering drug prices?

Are they just playing with their Florida 65+ base for the next election?

[democratisphere]

8. Maybe.

Probably trying to lower the overall cost of healthcare in Florida. Lots of seniors in Florida. Healthcare is unaffordable in its present form.

[Jose Garcia]

37. Pennsylvania and Michigan also have a large senior population

[OnlinePoker]

4. And then screw up our drug supply system

We already have issues getting some meds and people who can't afford them (about 10% in 2017) are either reducing the dosage to make them last or not filling the prescriptions at all. Right your own boat, don't tip ours over.

[democratisphere]

6. We need substantially lower drug prices. This is the means to that end.

[mr_lebowski]

7. Hint: OnlinePoker is (apparently) Canadian ... assuming you missed it ;) (nt)

[democratisphere]

11. We have already pissed off the Mexicans.

Let's see if we can make it a perfect score with our good neighbors to the north too.

[mr_lebowski]

13. Sure. That's what happens when a POTUS doesn't even understand the concept of 'neighbors' ...

To Trump, there is ONLY TRUMP.

And to a much lesser extent, there is that which is 'Of/Like/For Trump'.

Nothing, and nobody ... ELSE ... has any intrinsic value/meaning/rights of any kind ... all which is 'Non-Trump' can (and hopefully will) ... suffer and die ... in the pathological narcissists mind.

[OnlinePoker]

9. In Canada, we're going to get screwed because there won't be the supply available

My wife is already paying $350 per month for glaucoma meds and has to order a month and a half early to ensure she doesn't run out. I can just imagine what it will be like if it's all being shipped south. This is an example of economic imperialism by the U.S. The goods will go where the dollars are and screw the rest of the world.

[democratisphere]

12. Hey! Haven't you heard?!

We're exceptional in America!



America is a mess. I really don't want our cancer to spread to our good neighbors.

[pnwmom]

20. Don't worry, you won't be screwed. Your government has already said

they won't be inspecting and regulating any drugs that get shipped through Canada on the way to the US. They'll only be inspecting the drugs sold to Canadians inside Canada.

So we in America will just be getting the fake stuff.

[DrToast]

56. The US has subsidized Canadian drug prices long enough.

[pnwmom]

18. Canada isn't a good place for this. They are a country only a tenth the size of the US

and they don't want to be the conduit for all our prescription drugs -- real and fake.

They have their hands full regulating and inspecting their own drugs, and they already made it clear -- when Bernie proposed this -- that they weren't going to take on inspecting drugs for us, too. And there's nothing to stop purveyors of fake or contaminated drugs from setting up online pharmacies and shipping their product through Canada. But it won't be the same drugs that Canada is approving for sale within their country.

Here in Washington, we've already discovered fake drugs being sent here in the mail via Canada. How could we trust any drugs that neither the Canadians nor the FDA were inspecting?

[Haggis for Breakfast]

44. I can remember when people were organizing buses

to take people to Canada to get their meds. Especially elderly folks who just couldn't afford the high prices.

Everything this administration touches dies. I'd hate if that started to include people, too.

[atreides1]

22. It's a ruse!

Remember, this is the same man who promised another tax cut for middle class Americans, right before the mid-term elections!

The man is a confirmed liar, he's lied about almost everything, and he's lying about this as well!!!

[democratisphere]

26. "Another tax cut for the middle class?!"

The first tax cut had nothing to do with the middle class; 82% of THAT tax cut went to the wealthiest. NOW with drumpf's tariffs, the middle class is going to get hammered with a HUGE backdoor tax increase.

[Haggis for Breakfast]

3. Azar "expressed reservations" about trumpie's idea ?

Well, he's on his way out.

[JustABozoOnThisBus]

35. Has Trump said, "Azar's a good man"?

Until then, his job is safe.

[Haggis for Breakfast]

43. We'll have to keep checking for that !!

[durablend]

5. Please

What's in it for him?

[mr_lebowski]

10. Causing Canadian consumers to run out of their drug supplies & raising prices there ...

and hopefully crushing their superior 'socialist' medical system by this means?

Either that, or just trying to secure the votes of the Seniors in this Country by fronting like he wants this, even though there's zero chance he actually DOES, or that it will happen.

[Recursion]

14. Our drug prices subsidize most of the world

Lowering prices here is going to raise them in other countries.

[mr_lebowski]

16. Sounds like an extremely simplistic take that only applies in very specific situations

I.E. is far, far from universal ...

'We' also subsidize (as taxpayers) a metric shit-ton of 'research grants' that are then used for corporate profits with no recompense, AND (as consumers) a buttload of private planes, yachts, mansions, luxury vacations, etc.

[pnwmom]

21. Alternatively, it could lower profits. Maybe the government should take over producing

some of those critical and overly profitable drugs, like insulin.

[The Mouth]

33. they shouldn't be any more expensive here than anywhere else

I don't care where someone lives, I want a government that says *I* pay nor more than them. Let any other circumstances fall where they may.

[iluvtennis]

15. In my opinion this isn't the answer. Why doesn't the "allegedly" greatest deal maker work with the

American pharmaceutical companies to negotiate reduced prices. I know, rhetorical question.

[More_Cowbell]

17. Trump must not have any stock in pharmaceutical companies. nt

[Bernardo de La Paz]

23. But Canada is officially National Security Threat! That's why there are 25% tariffs against Canada!

Canada should block export of drugs to the USA until the Trump tariffs against steel and aluminum are taken down. tRump imposed them because he declared Canada to be a National Security Threat against the United States of America. Look it up.

How can the US trust Canadian drugs if it won't trust Canadian metal?

Anyway, the best Canadian drugs are cannabis.

[Haggis for Breakfast]

45. When Canada legalized pot,

Canadian radio stations were warning folks NOT to take any pot across the Border.

[duforsure]

24. Is trump doing this

As a bluff to big pharma unless they pay him and his PAC more now? Is this part of another shakedown unless they pay him, or it could be considered a bribe really to let things stay the same like he's done after 2016 election . He claimed he would lower costs, then took millions from big pharma and did nothing.

[Freethinker65]

28. Bingo!

That and/or US Pharmaceutical companies begin to lower their prices here because of the "threat" and Trump gets to boast about it during the campaign. Higher prices will then return.

[ck4829]

25. Delicious

[Maxheader]

27. 4 words to set cheetox off..concerning lowering pharmy corp products..

Obama couldn't do it either...

[beachbum bob]

29. trump says alot of words, but who thinks this will really happen?

[hatrack]

30. Oh, bullshit - wait 72 hours and he'll flop back the other way . . . .

Like a David Attenborough documentary about elephant seals.

[erpowers]

31. Let Government Agencies Negotiate With Drug Companies

I would rather letting government agencies negotiate drug prices with drug companies. I would also like for there to be changes made in how drugs are packaged. There are many ways to lower drug costs aside from importing drugs from Canada.

[Five Ten Nineteen]

32. Wait a minute

Is Trump actually supporting something sensible? Okay, as of right now, I'm keeping watch for Killer Asteroids!

[Sapient Donkey]

34. Probably not...

With Trump there is likely some other motive or he'll just change his mind and claim it was fake news.

I am curious about the pros & cons of such a policy, though. I don't have a deep enough understanding of issue to draw any conclusions on if such a policy would be good or bad. It's also difficult to filter out partisan pro/cons from the legitimate pros and cons.

[Ron Obvious]

36. Remember: banning drug importation is for our own protection!

Honestly, that's what proponents claim. Nevermind that any medication we get from US pharmacies is always made in other countries anyway.

[RicROC]

38. Import the whole Canadian Health Care system.

If Canadian Health Care costs 25% of what US Healthcare costs are...why not must send the the equivalent 25% of money over to Canada to cover us so that we go to the doctor with no copays?

I always thought that an entrepreneurial young Canadian CEO could make some good money by having US citizens apply for Canadian health insurance. I live only 75 miles from the Canadian border; I'd hop in the car for reasonably priced care.

[Haggis for Breakfast]

46. What an idea !!

I live five miles from the border, we could start a shuttle service !!

[ck4829]

50. Excellent idea!

[mopinko]

39. just like spanky to think a work around and a fix are the same thing.

it's just stupid. figure out how canada does it, then do that. (yes, yes, single payer, etc. medicare, medicaid, tricare, va, all could cut deals if they wanted to.)

allowing imports just lays out more pathways for fraud.
knock off drugs from china and india, some made w stolen intellectual property, would be able to slip under that wire. who knows what else?
no thanks. little trust that i have in our feds at this moment. i still want my meds made under fda oversight.

[JGug1]

41. Opposing Importing Drugs From Canada

We really, really need to be careful that we don't oppose something just because Trump favors it. It is silly to assert that Canadian drugs are not safe.

[mopinko]

42. no, it isnt. this happens

people order from pharmacies that are located in canada, but the drugs are not made in canada.
i dont have a problem w drugs made in canada.
i have a problem w third countries pretending they are canadian.

[ck4829]

49. +1

[JGug1]

40. Drugs From Canada

Why on earth should we not import drugs from Canada? Seriously, and I disdain Donald Trump

[ck4829]

48. Good question

[runtel]

47. forget importing

When this was brought up years ago it was shown then that many of Canada's drugs were imported from the U.S. American drug companies sold medications to Canada at a hugely reduced price. Forget importing and just hold the a$$holes responsible.

[applegrove]

51. Give it a week and the republicans will have him convinced not to do it

for some reason.

[zanana1]

52. I call B.S.

He's looking ahead to 2020, trying to get some Dem votes.

[area51]

53. +1 n/t

[TheFarseer]

54. He's all for it until

Someone points out it will cut into profits and then he will backtrack.