Calif. Senate Approves Bill To Allow Purchase of Drugs From Canada for Medi-Cal, ADAP Beneficiaries

The California Senate on Tuesday approved 23-9 a bill (SB 1333) that would allow the state's Department of Health Services to reimburse pharmacies for prescription drugs that they purchase from Canadian pharmacies for Medi-Cal or ADAP beneficiaries, the AP/San Jose Mercury News reports. The bill now moves to the Assembly (Oberthur, AP/San Jose Mercury News, 5/25). The bill was introduced in February by state Sen. Don Perata (D) and is sponsored by the AIDS Healthcare Foundation (Kaiser Daily HIV/AIDS Report, 2/20). "California legislators face a daunting choice as they try to grapple with the enormous state budget crisis: cut medical care and services to some of California's most vulnerable citizens, or find cheaper alternatives, such as allowing the purchase of Canadian drugs," AHF President Michael Weinstein said, adding, "As drug prices here in the US continue to spiral upward and out of control, we thank the Senate for swiftly moving Sen. Perata's bill forward as we all try and help bring meaningful prescription drug reform to California" (AHF release, 5/25).