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H.R.478 / 116th Congress

Safe and Affordable Drugs from Canada Act of 2019

Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.

Official summary

Version 00 · Introduced in House · Jan 10, 2019

Safe and Affordable Drugs from Canada Act of 2019

This bill requires the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to promulgate regulations within 180 days permitting individuals to import a prescription drug purchased from an approved Canadian pharmacy if the drug

is dispensed by a pharmacist licensed in Canada;

is purchased for personal use in quantities not greater than a 90-day supply;

is filled using a valid prescription issued by a physician licensed to practice in the United States; and

has the same active ingredients, route of administration, dosage form, and strength as a prescription drug approved by the FDA.

Under the bill, certain drugs may not be imported, including controlled substances and biological products.

The bill establishes a certification process for approving Canadian pharmacies. The FDA must publish a list of approved Canadian pharmacies.

Read the summary on Congress.gov
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Who introduced it

Rep. Pingree, Chellie [D-ME-1] · D–ME

Committees

  • Energy and Commerce Committee
15 cosponsorship records, including any withdrawals

Actions

A procedural vote is different from passage. Passage in one chamber does not establish enactment. Explore the glossary.

  1. Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.

  2. Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.

  3. Introduced in House

  4. Introduced in House

Bill text & related measures

Text links open the official source. We currently store references to these documents.

Related bills identified by Congress.gov

Source last updated: Dec 5, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.

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Objective

Analyze H.R.478 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.

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Fairness and public impact

Progressive lens

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Institutions and government scope

Conservative lens

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Individual rights and government power

Liberty lens

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