An estimated 1 million Americans buy their prescription drugs online from Canadian pharmacies.
A handful of state governments are helping consumers make those purchases and Texas could be next.
Luke Metzger with the Texas Public Interest Research Group said consumers are turning to our northern neighbor for a simple reason.
"Our survey found that uninsured consumers in Texas are paying 470 percent more for the same drug they could buy in Canada," Metzger said.
One of the most overwhelming and bipartisan votes on the House floor this session was an amendment added to the Pharmacy Sunset bill, SB 410. The amendment, passed with zero 'nays,' opens the door for Texans to get their drugs from Canada.
"It will authorize the pharmacy board to inspect up to 10 Canadian pharmacies to make sure they're safe and in compliance with FDA standards and Texas safety standards," Metzger said. "It's helping consumers do something they're already doing, but in a much safer manner."
Eight states and some U.S. cities have created foreign pharmacy lists for consumers to access. Texas Pharmacy Association Executive Director Jim Martin said there's a problem in doing this.
"It's against federal law to purchase drugs from another country if you're not a manufacturer," Martin said.
Martin said while the concept of providing access to cheaper prescription drugs is a good idea in concept, there are safety and logistical concerns.
"There are 3,600 retail pharmacies in the state, and only 12 inspectors at the state level. They have enough trouble getting to the pharmacies in our own state. How are you going to get them to a foreign country?" Martin said.
The bill doesn't allocate money to hire any additional inspectors. But Metzger said the statewide budget savings are worth it.
"We pay $9 billion a year in prescription drugs for state programs. If the state was allowed to purchase drugs directly from Canada we could save significant amounts of money," Metzger said.
Martin pointed out that generic prescription drugs are cheaper to buy in the U.S. than in Canada. However, many aren't available on the U.S. market.
"There are important drugs that don't have the generic equivalent available yet in the U.S.," Metzger said. "Many Americans, especially low-income Americans, are having to make a choice between filling a prescription and paying the rent or putting food on the table."
The Texas Pharmacy Association says there are a number of payment programs consumers can work out with their pharmacists or with drug manufacturers so they don't have to buy from online Canadian pharmacies. Martin said there's a website to give Texans information about payment options, called PPARx.org.
The Texas Public Interest Research Group has launched a phone campaign to ask Gov. Rick Perry to sign SB 410 into law.
