Prescription Drug Importation Policies: Politically Popular, But Problematic for Public Health

In the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy’s (NABP) Innovations publication, government and regulatory affairs advisor Nisha Quasba coauthored an article on the concerns with any plan to bring drugs into the U.S. that would bypass America’s highly regulated drug supply chain.

First, Quasba addresses drug supply chain security. She explains that drug importation — even if intended to be for wholesale and not for personal use — can directly or indirectly drive unknowing consumers to the internet, where NABP has found that 96% of online “pharmacies” are operating illegally, with many falsely claiming to be based in Canada.

Quasba further outlines recent policy ideas related to drug importation in the Biden administration and Congress. In conclusion, she emphasizes the NABP’s focus on public health safety.