Levin, Stabenow Support Prescription Drug Measure

Levin, Stabenow Support Prescription Drug Measure (Source: Detroit Free Press)

Senators Carl Levin and Debbie Stabenow helped the Senate pass a measure letting people buy their prescription drugs from Canada.

The Senate's homeland security spending bill approved last week allows Americans to import prescription drugs from Canada despite a Food and Drug Administration ban on importing prescription medicine into the United States.

Prescription drugs are generally sold at cheaper prices in Canada and other countries because of government price controls. The Senate passed the measure on a 68-32 vote.

Editor's Note: Brand name drugs are sold cheaper in Canada but 'government price controls' are only one of many factors.  To find out more, please read Why are Canadian Drug Prices Lower?  Also, keep in mind that generic drugs tend to be cheaper in the US than they are in Canada.  For more information, see Generic Drugs - Buy Locally and Shop Around in our Hints/Tips section.