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Safe and Affordable Drugs from Canada Act of 2025

3/17/2025, 3:06 PM

Summary of Bill S 641

Bill 119 s 641, also known as the Safe and Affordable Drugs from Canada Act, aims to amend the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to permit individuals to import safe and affordable prescription drugs from approved pharmacies in Canada. The bill seeks to address the issue of high prescription drug prices in the United States by allowing consumers to access lower-cost medications from our neighboring country.

Under the proposed legislation, individuals would be able to import prescription drugs from Canada as long as the drugs are approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and purchased from licensed pharmacies in Canada. This would provide Americans with more options for obtaining their medications at a lower cost, potentially saving them money on their healthcare expenses.

Supporters of the bill argue that allowing for the personal importation of drugs from Canada would increase competition in the pharmaceutical market, leading to lower prices for consumers. They also believe that it would provide a safe and reliable option for individuals who struggle to afford their medications in the US. Opponents of the bill, however, raise concerns about the safety and quality of imported drugs, as well as the potential impact on the US pharmaceutical industry. They argue that allowing for the importation of drugs from Canada could undermine the FDA's regulatory authority and lead to counterfeit or substandard medications entering the US market. Overall, Bill 119 s 641 presents a potential solution to the issue of high prescription drug prices in the US by allowing for the personal importation of safe and affordable drugs from approved pharmacies in Canada. The bill is currently under consideration in Congress, where it will be debated and potentially amended before a final vote is taken.

Congressional Summary of S 641

Safe and Affordable Drugs from Canada Act of 2025

This bill requires the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to allow for the personal importation of prescription drugs from Canada in certain instances.

Such a drug must (1) be purchased from an approved Canadian pharmacy and dispensed by a pharmacist licensed in Canada; (2) be purchased by an individual for personal use only and in quantities not to exceed a 90-day supply; (3) be filled using a valid prescription from a physician licensed in a U.S. state; and (4) have the same active ingredients, route of administration, dosage form, and strength as an FDA-approved drug. Certain types of drugs may not be imported under this program, such as controlled substances, biological products, or intravenously injected drugs.

An approved pharmacy under this program must be located and licensed in Canada and meet additional requirements, such as participation in ongoing and comprehensive quality assurance programs.

The FDA must publish a list of approved Canadian pharmacies on its website.

Current Status of Bill S 641

Bill S 641 is currently in the status of Bill Introduced since February 19, 2025. Bill S 641 was introduced during Congress 119 and was introduced to the Senate on February 19, 2025.  Bill S 641's most recent activity was Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. as of February 19, 2025

Bipartisan Support of Bill S 641

Total Number of Sponsors
3
Democrat Sponsors
3
Republican Sponsors
0
Unaffiliated Sponsors
0
Total Number of Cosponsors
7
Democrat Cosponsors
5
Republican Cosponsors
1
Unaffiliated Cosponsors
1

Policy Area and Potential Impact of Bill S 641

Primary Policy Focus

Health

Alternate Title(s) of Bill S 641

A bill to amend the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to allow for the personal importation of safe and affordable drugs from approved pharmacies in Canada.
A bill to amend the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to allow for the personal importation of safe and affordable drugs from approved pharmacies in Canada.

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