NACDS, NCPA, FMI request House members withhold support for e-pedigree bill
ALEXANDRIA, Va. The National Association of Chain Drug Stores, in conjunction with the National Community Pharmacists Association and the Food Marketing Institute sent a letter to the House Energy and Commerce Committee on Tuesday requesting that members vote against H.R. 5839, Safeguarding America’s Pharmaceuticals Act of 2008.
The legislation, which is intended to help secure the prescription drug distribution system against counterfeit drugs, contains a call for a mandatory “electronic pedigree/track and trace” program that the organizations oppose.
“While we appreciate that the sponsors of H.R. 5839 share our goal of further strengthening the prescription drug supply chain, we would ask that you withhold your support from the legislation,” the letter read, in part. “The bill contains several commendable elements, but it would also mandate an unproven, disruptive and costly … requirement that would severely interfere with pharmacies’ ability to effectively provide vital prescription medicines and health care products and services.”
“We hope to work with the sponsors and others on the Committee to advance … proposals that will take the right steps to further secure the prescription drug distribution system—which, while not perfect—has proven to be highly reliable and safe.”