BIO Urges Clinton, Congress to Drop Drug Reimportation Section of Ag Appropriations Bill

WASHINGTON, D.C. (October 18, 2000) - Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO) President, Carl B. Feldbaum, today issued the following statement on the drug reimportation bill:

 President Clinton should send the ag appropriations bill back to Congress with instructions to delete the drug reimportation section.

 Congress focused on a stop-gap, election year 'solution' to the prescription drug issue. But the reimportation approach will harm the FDA and could put the health of seniors at risk.

 This is electoral politics at its worst. I predict this scheme will not be implemented primarily because it puts public health at risk. 

BIO represents more than 900 biotech companies, academic institutions and state biotech centers in all 50 U.S. states and in 26 other nations. BIO members are involved in the research and development of health-care, agricultural, industrial and environmental biotechnology products.

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