Pharmacists\u2019 perceptions and attitudes toward drug importation into the State of Florida

John B Hertig,Allissa M Long,Jade M Jochem

doi:10.1186/s40545-021-00381-0

Abstract

BackgroundThe Department of Health and Human Services and the Food and Drug Administration released the Safe Importation Action Plan in July 2020 detailing methods to import medicines from Canada to combat increasing drug costs. In November 2020, Florida became the first state in the United States to create and propose an importation plan from Canada. This study examines the proposal submitted by Florida, Florida pharmacists’ perceptions of the program on patient safety, and Florida pharmacists’ thoughts on the pharmacy operational impact.MethodsThis was a cross-sectional study utilizing an electronic questionnaire sent to pharmacist members of the Florida Pharmacy Association. The survey incorporated closed-ended and open-ended questions. The results from the study were reported and analyzed through descriptive statistics, qualitative and quantitative data.ResultsTwo-hundred and forty-four pharmacists responded to the survey. Of those respondents, 25% stated they had no knowledge about Florida’s drug importation plan. Less than 12% of respondents stated they would trust the safety and quality of imported medicines. Seventy percent of pharmacists expressed concerns regarding the changes required in pharmacy operations to increase medicine safety. About half of the respondents questioned whether this plan would promote cost-savings as intended.ConclusionFlorida pharmacists believe the drug importation plan does not address all aspects of patient and medicine safety and expressed concerns regarding logistical operations of a pharmacy. This article highlights those concerns and acts as a summons to action.

Highlights

The Department of Health and Human Services and the Food and Drug Administration released the Safe Importation Action Plan in July 2020 detailing methods to import medicines from Canada to combat increasing drug costs
Prescription medicine costs continue to rise in the United States (US) and present a significant barrier for patients to receive care
Medicine prices in the US are 2.56 times higher than other countries [1]. This number is influenced by the cost of brand-name medicines; few, if any, price restrictions; and payer involvement

Summary

Introduction

The concept of drug importation is not new, as it has historically occurred in states along the US–Canadian border, where individuals travel into Canada, visit a licensed physician, and obtain a prescription that will be filled from a legitimate Canadian pharmacy This commonplace practice has been used to take advantage of lower drug prices in Canada [4]. In November 2020, a final rule to implement a provision of the Federal, Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (section 804(b) through (h) of the FD&C Act) went into effect to allow importation of certain prescription medicines from Canada This permits states, Indian tribes, pharmacists, and wholesalers to submit importation program proposals to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) [5]

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