Indiana House approves Hatfield amendment to lower prescription drug prices

INDIANAPOLIS - State Rep. Ryan Hatfield (D-Evansville) today offered an amendment to House Bill 1005, that allows Indiana to import certain prescription drugs, already used in the United States, from Canada to help lower prescription drug prices.

“Hoosiers have been crippled by the high cost of prescription drug prices for far too long,” said Hatfield.

“This amendment will allow us to import certain prescription drugs from Canada to ensure that Hoosiers have a safe and effective pathway to more affordable health care.

“Promoting competition in the prescription drug industry, through similar legislation, has already been implemented by the Republican governor in Florida and supported by President Trump,” continued Hatfield. “Accessible health care is not a partisan issue.”

Currently, Colorado, Florida, Maine and Vermont have passed similar legislation to create a drug importation program.

This amendment passed with a vote of 49-44.