In answer to this year's flu shot shortage, the Bush administration said yesterday that they intend to buy 1.2 million doses of flu vaccine from a plant in Germany. This announcement will coincide with today's deadline calling for a report to congress regarding the issue of Americans buying prescription drugs from other countries. Secretary of Health and Human Services, Tommy Thompson was supposed to issue a report on drug importation today, but is traveling overseas, thus delaying the issuance of the report.

Pointing out the irony of the U.S. having to purchase flu vaccine from Germany, Gil Gutknecht, a Republican representative from Minnesota, said,“Here we are buying flu vaccine from Germany, and yet they’re sitting on a report that probably says it is dangerous to purchase medicines from other countries.” He continued, “Why is it that the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) can do this safely but your local pharmacist can’t?” Why indeed?

This argument may come into play during the confirmation hearings that will be held for the next secretary of Health and Human Services. Senator Byron Dorgan sees this as a pertinent issue and one that must be addressed.

Several states have already begun to direct residents to websites for Canadian and European drug companies. The American Medical Association has endorsed drug importation with the stipulation that the drugs have electronic tracking capability to ensure the drug's credibility. The AARP is also on board and intends to file a brief supporting a lawsuit filed by Vermont governor, Jim Douglas. The Vermont suit asks the FDA to write new regulations regarding imporation.