State-sponsored Web sites for ordering imported drugs

Due to unchecked increases in prescription drug costs,to allow state residents to purchase their prescription
the governors and legislatures of many states nowmedication from Canada and other foreign countries. In
advocate importing prescription medications fromaddition to the new plan, the Oklahoma state
Canada. Several states have even started Web sitesgovernment has met with several Canadian
for their citizens to order from approved Canadianpharmacies to examine different ways that
pharmacies. These states include:Oklahomans can save money by importing prescription
1. Illinoisdrugs.
Gov. Rod Blagojevich (D) has been a leading6. Rhode Island
advocate of legalizing prescription medications fromRhode Island, led by Gov. Donald Carcieri (R), has
Canada, the United Kingdom, and Ireland. He createdplaced links to Canadian Web sites on its state Web
the program Illinois Rx Cares in order to providesite as well as developing a Web site called RIRx for
monetary relief to senior citizens who fell into the donutstate residents to purchase discount medications from
hole of prescription medication coverage, as well asCanadian and other foreign pharmacies. Rhode Island
others who struggle to afford their prescriptionpurchases Canadian drugs for state employees and
medications. The Illinois Rx Cares program helps locateretirees. Rhode Island also passed a law that allows
and aid its users in purchasing prescription medicationthe state department of health to license Canadian
from safe and affordable Canadian pharmacies.pharmacies. Secretary of state Matt Brown also
2. Kansasannounced a new plan called RIMEDS that lets
Since Gov. Kathleen Sebelius (D) took office in 2003,residents find discount prescription medication online
she has drastically lowered the cost of healthcare forand by phone.
Kansans by joining the I-Save RX program, which has7. Washington
made it easier for citizens of her state to get low-costGov. Christine Gregoire (D) has partnered with
medications from both Canada and Europe. She hasWisconsin in creating a state-sponsored Web site, to
also listed links to several state-inspected Canadianorder prescription drugs from Canada. The state
pharmaceutical resources on state Web sites.house in Washington also passed legislation to allow
3. Minnesotacertain certain state agencies to purchase prescription
Minnesota's Gov. Tim Pawlenty (R) developed one ofdrugs from Canadian pharmacies and wholesalers.
the nation's leading prescription drug Web sites,8. Vermont
RXConnect, which allows Minnesotans to accessThe governor of Vermont, Jim Douglas (R), traveled to
more affordable prescription medication found in bothWashington D.C. to testify before the Federal Drug
Canada and the United Kingdom. He also implementedTask Force on Drug Reimportation to persuade the
a program that offers incentives to state employeesfederal government to allow states to pursue all safe
who order their prescription medication online frommeans of lower the cost of prescription medication.
Canadian pharmacies.Vermont's department of personnel has a link to
4. New HampshireMinnesota's website, RXConnect. Gov. Douglas has
New Hampshire has implemented a new policy toalso worked with lawmakers to allow the purchase of
import prescription medications for prison inmates andAmerican-made drugs sold in foreign countries.
state employees from Canadian pharmacies. Gov.Vermont's House of Representatives voted 129 to 8
John Lynch (D) has expressed his support of theto allow its state's residents to purchase lower-cost
program and plans to further extend the program toprescription medications from Canada and Europe
help more citizens in New Hampshire.through the I-Save RX program.
5. Oklahoma9.
Gov. Brad Henry has proposed a $1.5 million dollar plan