JUNE 27, 2012 LETTER TO PRESIDENT OBAMA:

I am writing as a citizen who is shocked and outraged by the final language of the Food and Drug Administration Safety and Innovation Act.

The bill was worked out in secret negotiations and will sever a lifeline to affordable medicine for over a million people each year!

This legislation authorizes the seizure and destruction of safe prescription drug imports valued under $2500. The bill’s language makes no pretense of concern for safety; it merely protects the interests of big pharmaceutical companies at the expense of those of us who rely on importation to access our needed medicines at an affordable price.

The bill’s final language was worked out in near anonymity without the opportunity for public comment. It is no wonder that the public holds Congress in such contempt! During your last campaign, you spoke out against politics as usual and perhaps more importantly in favor of importation.

The House has passed the bill and the Senate has followed suit. I’m asking you to stand up for me. You’re my last line of defense. I need your help to maintain my health and my life. Tell me how your administration is going to protect me from this draconian measure and preserve my ability to import affordable medicines. Send Big Pharma a message they’re not used to hearing in Washington–you represent me, not them.

Americans are struggling to afford necessities. Millions can’t afford the exorbitant price of U.S. prescription drugs. Importation is a lifeline for countless seniors and the underinsured. These are facts that candidates seem to remember but that elected officials seem to forget.

Sincerely,

Michael Guth, 8654838309

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Greetings,

Today, as the House of Representatives returns from its Memorial Day holiday, our ability to import prescription drugs is under attack yet again. We urge you to stand with us again and fight back.

The House Energy and Commerce Committee recently unanimously approved H.R.5651, the Food and Drug Administration Reform Act. Most people don’t realize that a provision buried in this bill’s 294 pages would jeopardize our right to affordable medicine. Section 805 authorizes Customs and Border Protection to destroy (imported) shipments of prescription drugs valued at $2,000 or less.

Clearly, this provision protects the interests of big pharmaceutical companies at the expense of the tens of thousands of Americans like us who rely on importation to access our needed medicines at an affordable price. We expect that the bill will be up for a full House vote sometime very soon. House rules don’t allow floor amendments and so ultimately, the good fight is going to have to be fought in conference committee.

In the meantime, we’re calling on you to educate your representatives. Tell them Section 805 should be thrown out. It is an unnecessary and damaging provision that puts American lives at risk!

Sincerely,

Lee Graczyk
Lead Organizer, RxRights

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Senator Alexander; Senator Corker

May 18, 2012

Please vote yes on the McCain Amendment to the Food and Drug Reauthorization Act (S. 3187).

The McCain Amendment would allow Americans to import safe and affordable prescription drugs from Canada. Close to a million Americans purchase their drugs from Canadian pharmacies. The vast majority of these people are senior citizens living on fixed incomes. Please ensure this right for all Americans by voting yes on the McCain Amendment.

The amendment would allow Americans to purchase medicine through licensed, legitimate Canadian pharmacies.

The amendment prohibits the sale of narcotics or other controlled substances and it requires the use of a prescription from a licensed U.S. physician.

Please vote yes for the McCain Amendment. Do not listen to so-called safety concerns that originate from the drug industry. This industry has no right to lecture us about safety. It is the same industry that routinely pays hundreds of millions of dollars in penalties for selling unsafe medications to American consumers.

The cost of medications in the U.S. is two or three times what it is in other developed counties and this is a particular hardship on seniors.  Americans need and deserve safe and affordable prescription drugs. Please give financial relief to Americans suffering due to the high cost of drugs by voting yes on the McCain Amendment!

Sincerely,  Dr. Michael A. S. Guth

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From: senator@corker.senate.gov [mailto:senator@corker.senate.gov]
Sent: Friday, May 25, 2012 3:52 PM
To: mike@michaelguth.com
Subject: Vote on dietary supplements

Dear Michael,

Since you have written me in the past about ensuring access to dietary supplements, I wanted to let you know of a recent step I took in support of this important industry.

Like you, I recognize that dietary supplements are an important part of a prevention-based diet for many Americans, and I understand the concerns many have about creating additional red tape and labeling requirements. Current law already requires supplement products to show a list of ingredients and get pre-approval for any health claims. You will be glad to know that during debate of the recently passed FDA Safety and Innovation Act, I voted against Senator Durbin’s amendment which would have required additional reporting.

I hope this information is helpful to you. If you have questions or feedback you would like to share with me about this, please feel free to contact me.

Sincerely,

Bob Corker