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Affordable and Safe Prescription Drug Importation Act of 2025

5/20/2025, 2:36 PM

Summary of Bill HR 3162

H.R. 3162, introduced in the 119th Congress on May 1, 2025, aims to amend the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to enable wholesale distributors, pharmacies, and individuals to import cost-effective and safe drugs.

Congressional Summary of HR 3162

Affordable and Safe Prescription Drug Importation Act of 2025

This bill expands the categories of prescription drugs that may be imported into the United States and the countries from which such drugs may be imported.

Current law allows the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to authorize the importation of certain eligible prescription drugs from Canada. The bill requires HHS to issue regulations that permit the importation of qualifying prescription drugs from the United Kingdom, Switzerland, and member states of the European Union, in addition to Canada. After one year, if HHS determines that the importation of drugs from these countries has been conducted safely, HHS may authorize importation from other countries that meet certain requirements.

The bill also expands the types of prescription drugs eligible for importation to include, for example, biologics such as insulin.

Further, the bill allows individuals to use an eligible licensed foreign pharmacy to fill a U.S.-issued prescription for a qualifying drug for personal use. Currently, an individual seeking to import a prescription drug generally must acquire a waiver from HHS.

The bill also imposes various requirements related to certification of foreign sellers, labeling of imported drugs, and supply chain security.

Finally, the bill (1) prohibits certain acts that discriminate against foreign sellers, such as drug manufacturers charging higher prices to foreign sellers than to other sellers in the same country; and (2) imposes criminal penalties for websites that sell counterfeit drugs or dispense drugs without a required prescription.

Current Status of Bill HR 3162

Bill HR 3162 is currently in the status of Bill Introduced since May 1, 2025. Bill HR 3162 was introduced during Congress 119 and was introduced to the House on May 1, 2025.  Bill HR 3162's most recent activity was Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce. as of May 1, 2025

Bipartisan Support of Bill HR 3162

Total Number of Sponsors
1
Democrat Sponsors
1
Republican Sponsors
0
Unaffiliated Sponsors
0
Total Number of Cosponsors
5
Democrat Cosponsors
5
Republican Cosponsors
0
Unaffiliated Cosponsors
0

Policy Area and Potential Impact of Bill HR 3162

Primary Policy Focus

Health

Alternate Title(s) of Bill HR 3162

To amend the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to allow for the importation of affordable and safe drugs by wholesale distributors, pharmacies, and individuals.
To amend the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to allow for the importation of affordable and safe drugs by wholesale distributors, pharmacies, and individuals.

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