Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2008

Floor Speech

AGRICULTURE, RURAL DEVELOPMENT, FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION, AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2008 -- (House of Representatives - August 02, 2007)

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Mr. FERGUSON. Mr. Chairman, I rise in strong support of the Kingston amendment.

I have got short time, but earlier this year the Energy and Commerce Committee had a hearing on drug safety, and my good friend, the gentlewoman from Colorado (Ms. DeGette), summarized the problem with drug importation by referencing a New York Times article just that week. She said, ``Counterfeit drugs made in China were exported to Panama for sale, and they included a deadly toxin ..... 365 families reported deaths as a result of the tainted cough syrup and fever medication.''

My friend, Ms. DeGette, continued: ``Mr. Chairman, the dangers from counterfeit and contaminated drugs are frighteningly real, even under the current construct. Permitting reimportation would significantly increase the risk of counterfeit, misbranded, and adulterated drugs that would end up in my constituents' homes.''

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I agree with my friend from the other side of the aisle, the dangers related to drug importation the FDA needs the authority to prevent counterfeit medicines from coming into America.

I urge my colleaues to support the Kingston Amendment.

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