Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has a new idea to cut healthcare prices by importing prescription drugs from Canada.
Announcing the plan today, DeSantis says the program will offer access to FDA-approved prescription drugs that are imported from Canada so that Floridians can get them much cheaper.
“One of the biggest drivers of this country’s out of control healthcare spending is the cost of prescription drugs,” DeSantis says. “While our prices remain high, our neighbors in Canada are spending significantly less for the same drugs."
The governor says the difference in drug prices in the two countries is indefensible and inexcusable, so he's ready to change that.
It's been 16 years since Congress passed the Medicare Modernization Act to allow U.S. wholesalers and pharmacists to import prescription drugs from Canada. But that's only the case if the Department of Health and Human services authorizes it, which they haven't done.
DeSantis says he believes it's been far too long since 2003 when the act was passed to still be waiting for authorization.
He says he will work with President Trump and the Florida legislature to create the program as quick as possible.
