DeSantis sues Biden administration over Canadian drug importation program – By Arek Sarkissian (Politico) / Aug 31, 2022
Florida was the first state in the country to apply for the Canadian drug importation program in November 2020.
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — GOP Gov. Ron DeSantis on Wednesday announced the state is suing the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, claiming that the agency has delayed Florida’s attempts to import cheaper prescription drugs from Canada.
The lawsuit, filed in Tampa federal court, alleges that the FDA has held up Florida’s application to begin getting medications to treat diabetes, Hepatitis C, HIV and other illnesses for almost two years.
“People use drugs in Canada — this isn’t Djibouti,” DeSantis said at a press conference in Lakeland, Fla. “This is a safe country.”
Florida was the first state in the country to apply for the Canadian drug importation program in November 2020. DeSantis had personally lobbied former President Donald Trump to give final authorization to the plan that year. It would save Florida residents an estimated $150 million in prescription drug costs.
