AJR71: Joint Resolution Text

LRB-4332/1

PJD:wlj:rs

2003 - 2004 LEGISLATURE

2003 Assembly JOINT RESOLUTION 71

February 24, 2004 - Introduced by Representatives Pocan, Boyle, Cullen and Travis.

AJR71,1,5 Relating to: opposing the policy of the U.S. food and drug administration and the president of the United States of not allowing individuals and pharmacies in the United States to import and re-import prescription medications purchased in other countries that have regulatory safeguards for the manufacture and distribution of drugs comparable to regulatory safeguards in the United States.

AJR71,1,7 Whereas, Americans pay drug prices that are 30 to 300 percent more to fill their prescriptions than in European and other industrialized nations; and

AJR71,1,9 Whereas, the United States is the world's largest market for pharmaceuticals yet American consumers pay the world's highest prices; and

AJR71,1,11 Whereas, according to the congressional budget office, American seniors alone will spend $1.8 trillion on pharmaceuticals over the next 10 years; and

AJR71,1,14 Whereas, allowing open pharmaceutical markets from abroad could lower prices at least 35 percent and save American consumers at least $635 billion of their own money each year; and

AJR71,2,3 Whereas, pharmaceutical companies reported sales of $219 billion in 2002 and made $20 million in federal campaign contributions during the last election cycle; now, therefore, be it

AJR71,2,9 Resolved by the assembly, the senate concurring, That the Wisconsin state legislature opposes the policy of the U.S. food and drug administration and the president of the United States of not allowing individuals and pharmacies in the United States to import and re-import prescription medications purchased in other countries that have regulatory safeguards for the manufacture and distribution of drugs comparable to regulatory safeguards in the United States; and, be it further

AJR71,2,13 Resolved, That the Wisconsin state legislature directs the assembly and senate chief clerks immediately to allow members and employees of the legislature to purchase prescription drugs from foreign countries under their health care plans; and, be it further

AJR71,2,17 Resolved, That the Wisconsin state legislature encourages state and local units of government to take the lead and begin the importation from foreign countries of prescription drugs that match regulatory safeguards of the United States and that are cheaper than their United States counterparts; and, be it further

AJR71,2,20 Resolved, That the assembly chief clerk shall provide a copy of this joint resolution to all governors and to the presiding officer of each house of all state legislatures.

AJR71,2,21 (End)