2001 Ron Paul 50:1
Mr. PAUL. Mr. Chairman, I rise in support of
the amendment offered by the gentleman from
Vermont. As I am sure I need not remind my
colleagues, many Americans are concerned
about the high prices of prescription drugs.
The high prices of prescription drugs particularly
effect low-income senior citizens since
many seniors have a greater than-average
need for prescription drugs. One of the reasons
prescription drug prices are high is because
of government policies which give a few
powerful companies a monopoly position in
the prescription drug market. One of the most
egregious of those policies are those restricting
the importation of quality pharmaceuticals.
If members of Congress are serious about
lowering prescription drug prices they should
support this amendment.
2001 Ron Paul 50:2
As a representative of an area near the
Texas-Mexican border I often hear from constituents
angry that they cannot purchase inexpensive
quality pharmaceuticals in their
local drug store. Many of these constituents
regularly travel to Mexico on their own in order
to purchase pharmaceuticals. Mr. Chairman,
where does the federal government get the
Constitutional or moral right to tell my constituents
they cannot have access to the pharmaceuticals
of their choice?
2001 Ron Paul 50:3
Opponents of this amendment have been
waging a hysterical campaign to convince
members that this amendment will result in
consumers purchasing unsafe products. I dispute
this claim for several reasons. Unlike the
opponents of this amendment I do not believe
that consumers will purchase an inferior pharmaceutical
simply to save money. Instead,
consumers will carefully shop to make sure
they are receiving the highest possible quality
at the lowest possible price. In fact, the experience
of my constituents who are currently
traveling to Mexico to purchase prescription
drugs shows that consumers are quite capable
of ensuring they only purchase safe products
without interference from Big Brother.
2001 Ron Paul 50:4
Furthermore, if the supporters of the status
quo were truly concerned about promoting
health, instead of protecting the special privileges
of powerful companies, they would consider
how our current policies endanger safety
by artificially raising the cost of prescription
drugs. Oftentimes lower income Americans will
take less than the proper amount of a prescription
medicine in order to save money or
forgo other necessities, including food, in
order to afford their medications.
2001 Ron Paul 50:5
Mr. Chairman, I urge my colleagues to show
they are serious about lowering the prices of
prescription drugs and that they trust the people
to know what is in their best interest by
voting for the Sanders amendment to the Agricultural
Appropriations bill.
