Letter on Amendment to "Food and Drug Administration Revitalization Act"

May 7, 2007

TO THE MEMBERS OF THE UNITED STATES SENATE:

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the world's largest business federation representing more than three million businesses and organizations of every size, sector, and region, urges you to support Senator Cochran's second degree amendment to Senator Dorgan's importation amendment to S.1082, the "Food and Drug Administration Revitalization Act." The Cochran amendment would require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to certify public health and safety before allowing importation of pharmaceuticals into the United States.

The Cochran amendment specifically requires that as a prerequisite to importing pharmaceuticals from abroad, the Secretary must certify to Congress that such actions will "pose no additional risk to the public's health and safety" and will "result in a significant eduction in the cost of covered products to the American consumer."

The Chamber supports consumer safety first when it comes to what is in the medicine cabinet. The Cochran amendment will help maintain the integrity of our nation's drug supply by requiring that the Food and Drug Administration first guarantee that drugs can be imported safely before products of unknown origin and quality cross our borders.

While the Chamber opposes the Dorgan amendment, the Chamber believes the Cochran amendment will go a long way towards guaranteeing consumers that the FDA will continue to ensure the safety and effectiveness of our pharmaceutical drugs. The Chamber therefore urges you to support the Cochran amendment to protect our nation's health and our reliable drug supply.

Sincerely,
R. Bruce Josten