FDA Holds Meeting with States on Importation of Lower Cost Drugs

WHY IT MATTERS

Patients with rare diseases who take expensive prescription medications may be able to access more affordable versions of their drugs through this importation program, potentially reducing their out-of-pocket costs significantly.

The FDA met with several states to discuss a program that lets states and Native American tribes buy prescription drugs from Canada at lower prices and bring them into the United States. This program, called section 804 importation, is designed to help Americans afford their medications. The meeting focused on how this program works and how states can participate.

FDA held a meeting with several states to discuss the section 804 importation program (SIP), which allows states and Indian tribes to import certain prescription drugs from Canada to significantly reduce the cost of these drugs to the American consumer.