Texas could save $900 mln by importing drugs - study
Key points
- Texas could save as much as $898 million over the next two years if it imported prescription drugs, according to the state Legislature's budget crunchers.
- That savings equals almost 10 percent of the total of $9 billion that Texas likely will spend on drugs in its next two budgets, the Legislative Budget Board said in a report released on Wednesday.
- Prescription drug costs are soaring around the United States.
- Texas's $9 billion estimate is $3 billion more than what the state will spend on drugs in its current two-year budget plan.
Texas could save as much as $898 million over the next two years if it imported prescription drugs, according to the state Legislature's budget crunchers.
That savings equals almost 10 percent of the total of $9 billion that Texas likely will spend on drugs in its next two budgets, the Legislative Budget Board said in a report released on Wednesday.
Prescription drug costs are soaring around the United States. Several states and cities are weighing importing drugs from Canada, while a handful of states hope to save money by buying drugs as a group.
Texas's $9 billion estimate is $3 billion more than what the state will spend on drugs in its current two-year budget plan.
"Texas manages its spending on prescription drugs in an uncoordinated manner and has had limited success in achieving consolidation of pharmaceutical purchasing," the legislature's report said.
A spokesman for Republican Gov. Rick Perry was not immediately available for comment.
Written and revised by
David Cohen, M.D.
Our doctors write and review articles for accuracy and keep them up to date.
health.am provides general information, not medical advice. Always consult a qualified health professional about your own health.
