National Coalition Supports Prescription Drug Importation
posted Tue, 30 Nov 2010
RxRights is a coalition of organizations around the country that is concerned about the high cost of pharmaceuticals in the U.S.
The Coalition is dedicated to promoting and protecting American consumer access to sources of safe, affordable prescription drugs. It seeks to inform and educate both the public and our elected officials on the complex issues surrounding prescription drug sales in this country.
Lee Graczyk, acting director of Mature Voices Minnesota, is the lead organizer in this effort.
Graczyk has been a tireless, long-term advocate for drug importation. He’s driven by the knowledge that life-saving medications are often priced out of the reach of American consumers.
Graczyk, who has a background in compliance and state government, became public policy director of the Minnesota Senior Federation in 1999. At the Senior Federation, Graczyk organized monthly bus trips to Canada to ensure that seniors could obtain affordable prescription drugs. The Federation collaborated with then-Senator Mark Dayton to fund this project. For six years, Senator Dayton donated his entire senatorial salary to the cause.
The bus trips brought public attention to the issue of Americans’ need for access to safe and affordable prescriptions. But the Federation soon realized that the ability to order prescription drugs online would bring greater convenience and savings to Americans.
Graczyk was instrumental in establishing a prescription drug importation program for the Federation. He scrutinized more than 20 Canadian companies, and approved those with the highest standards for the program.
The program is now maintained by Mature Voices Minnesota and currently has 2,200 members. Participants save anywhere from 20 to 80 percent on their prescription drugs by using the service.
Internet reimportation has become a “virtual lifeline” for millions of Americans. The RxRights consumer coalition is working to ensure continued access to safe and affordable prescription drugs.
The Coalition is a partnership of organizations throughout the country that support reimportation in order to expand this influence. The Coalition’s goal is to inform and educate both the public and elected officials on the issues surrounding prescription drug sales in this country.
Reasons to Join this Effort:
» The prices that Americans pay for prescription medicines are the highest in the world.
» A prescription drug one cannot afford is neither safe nor effective.
» Every American is entitled to enjoy the health benefits made possible by prescription medicines.
» Access to safe, affordable prescription medicines from licensed, regulated pharmacies outside the U.S. will reduce the costs of medications and improve the health of U.S. citizens.
» Lack of competition in the U.S. allows pharmaceutical companies to fix prices and overcharge Americans.
The Coalition Pledges to:
» Present the truth about the safety, efficacy, and cost-savings of prescription medicines from outside the U.S.
» Support policies allowing U.S. citizens to exercise their right of freedom of choice in determining where they purchase their prescription medicines.
What You Can Do:
» Sign the petition
» Tell your friends about this website
» Contact Congress and let them know that you support prescription drug importation
» Follow RxRights on Twitter, Facebook and YouTube
The Coalition holds regular teleconferences to discuss safe and affordable drug importation. Contact Lee Graczyk to join the Coalition or for more information.
List of Coalition Members
If you’re interested in joining the Coalition or learning more about RxRights please contact Lee Graczyk.