Nurses at the Forefront of Patient Care Advocate for Prescription Importation

WASHINGTON, D.C. – This National Nurses Month the Campaign for Personal Prescription Importation (CPPI) would like to recognize and extend our appreciation for America's 4.2 million nurses at the forefront of patient care and advocacy. Being at the forefront of patient care, nurses recognize that a critical need is access to safe, affordable daily prescription medications. Fortunately, there is a solution that many nurses are advocating for: prescription importation from safe, licensed Canadian pharmacies.

On Tuesday, May 16 at 7:30 pm. NNU President Nancy Hagans, RN, will be speaking at the U.S. Capitol Visitor Center and scores of nurses will be in attendance. “Every day nurses see patients who delay lifesaving health care or can’t afford their medications,” says Hagans.

In 2022 nurses rallied on Capitol Hill with a statement from National Nurses United calling on Congress to support, “The Affordable and Safe Prescription Drug Importation Act (S. 920 and H.R. 2181), which permits the United States to import prescription medicines from other countries that meet our standards — a common-sense method for lowering prices.” This legislation would instruct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to issue regulations allowing wholesalers, licensed U.S. pharmacies, and individuals to import qualifying prescription drugs manufactured at FDA-inspected facilities from licensed Canadian sellers.

“We are so proud of and thankful for the work that nurses do fighting and advocating for patients every day,” says Jack Pfeiffer, Executive Director of the Campaign for Personal Prescription Importation. “Nurses' advocacy on personal prescription importation is imperative in the fight to ensure Americans access to affordable prescription medications. Now we need Congress to deliver on the Affordable and Safe Prescription Drug Importation Act.”

Millions of Americans already import prescription medications from abroad due to drug affordability, and the need is only increasing. The majority of people importing their medications tend to be older Americans, often living on fixed incomes. They rely on international pharmacies for prescription medications such as ELIQUIS® and XARELTO® to treat and prevent blood clots and strokes.

There is vast public support for prescription importation with 78% of KFF poll respondents supporting the purchase of prescription drugs from licensed Canadian pharmacies. The Biden and Trump administrations, as well as members of Congress on both sides of the aisle, have expressed support for such efforts.

Nurses see firsthand the impact of high drug prices on their patients, that is why they have been at the forefront of this fight.

Malinda Markowitz R.N., a co-president of the 100,000 member California Nurses Association/National Nurses United, and Dahlia Tayag R.N., wrote the San Diego Union-Tribune, "As nurses, we see families who can’t afford the medications they or their children need, or they have to give up other basic necessities. It’s heartbreaking and it’s unconscionable.”

“Nurses understand the impact that high drug prices have on American patients, and they know that personal prescription importation is an immediate solution that can help to alleviate this burden,” reiterates Pfeiffer.