WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.) this week joined Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) and Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) to introduce the Safe and Affordable Drugs from Canada Act, bipartisan legislation which would allow Americans to safely import prescription drugs from Canada, lowering costs, increasing access for consumers, and creating more competition in the pharmaceutical market. 

“Skyrocketing drug prices are hammering patients in Vermont and across America,” said Senator Welch. “Lifesaving drugs that help treat cancers, blood clots, asthma, and multiple sclerosis aren’t helpful if Americans can’t afford them. Meanwhile, those same drugs are hundreds of dollars cheaper just a few miles north in Canada. American patients are getting ripped off by Big Pharma—enough is enough. Our bipartisan legislation will allow patients to import prescription drugs from Canada and help folks get the lifesaving medication they need.” 

“Americans pay the highest prices in the world for prescription drugs,” said Senator Klobuchar. “Our bipartisan legislation would save Americans money by allowing them to import their medications from pharmacies in Canada. Brand-name prescription drugs that we invent here in America cost more than twice as much in the United States as in Canada. Americans deserve better. Building on my legislation to allow Medicare to negotiate lower prescription drug costs, I will continue to work to increase competition in the pharmaceutical market so Americans no longer get ripped off by Big Pharma.” 

“Congress must take an all-of-the-above approach to lowering the price of prescription drugs. Our commonsense, bipartisan bill would provide Americans increased access to safe, affordable prescription drugs available in Canada, while boosting much-needed competition in the pharmaceutical industry,” said Senator Grassley. 

In addition to Sens. Welch, Klobuchar, and Grassley, the Safe and Affordable Drugs from Canada Act is cosponsored by Senators Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), Angus King (I-Maine), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.). 

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