CBO ANALYSIS OF SAVINGS FROM CBO ANALYSIS OF SAVINGS FROM PRESCRIPTION DRUG IMPORTATIONPRESCRIPTION DRUG IMPORTATION

Colin BakerMargaret Nowak

Anna Cook

June 8, 2004

Overview

Discuss estimated savings from drug importation under the Medicare Modernization Act and H.R. 2427

Explain CBO’s methodology for estimating savings from drug importation

Summarize factors leading to small estimated savings from drug importation to date

Drug Importation Under the Medicare Modernization Act

Previously, a drug could be imported into the U.S. only by its manufacturer

The Medicare Act (MMA) allows drug importation from Canada only, after certification by the Secretary of HHS

CBO estimated savings to the federal government of less than $50 million over 10 years under MMA

Drug Importation under H.R. 2427

Would permit drug importation from 25 industrialized countries

CBO estimated total U.S. drug spending would fall by $40 billion (1%) over 10 years

Federal direct spending would fall by $2.9 billion (about 0.5%)

Federal spending falls by a lower amount in percentage terms – many federal programs already get low prices.

Steps for Estimating Savings

Estimate average price differences between the U.S. and source countries

Account for importers’ costs (re-packaging, liability insurance)

Calculate the potential supply from source countries relative to the U.S. market

Consider actions by manufacturers, FDA, and foreign governments that may limit supply

Considerations in Making International Price Comparisons

Which U.S. drug prices do you use?

Should both generic and brand-name drugs be included?

How well can drug products across countries be matched?

How is the price comparison weighted?

International Price Differences

CBO concluded manufacturer prices of patented brand-name drugs average about 35 to 55 percent less in other industrialized countries, relative to the U.S.

That range is based partly on international price comparisons of patented brand-name drugs by Canada’s PMPRB

Danzon and Furukawa (2003) found that prices on patented products ranged from 26% lower in the UK to 49% lower in France and Italy.

Parallel Trade

CBO looked to the European experience in parallel trade

Parallel trade is the legal movement of products across borders without the explicit consent of the manufacturer

Parallel trade within the EU is facilitated by a single regulatory body that can be used for drug approvals (EMEA) as well as favorable EU court decisions

Sizing the Market

The volume of world supply outside the U.S. is about twice the size of the U.S. market.

About 5 to 6 percent of the volume in low priced countries is traded to higher priced countries within Europe

If parallel trade were as free of impediments as it is in Europe today, such trade could supply about 10% to 15% of the U.S. market

Restrictions on Supply

FDA: Imported drugs must be manufactured in an FDA inspected facility and meet labeling standards

Manufacturers: limit supply through contracts with wholesalers; shift production away from FDA inspected facilities

Foreign governments could restrict exports to U.S. (if supply shortages occur or if manufacturers threaten to raise prices)

Estimated Savings

Given supply restrictions, much less than 10 to 15% of the U.S. market would be supplied through parallel trade under current proposals

Price differences must also account for intermediary costs – liability insurance, repackaging and relabelling

Overall, under H.R. 2427, CBO estimated that U.S. drug spending would fall by 1%, federal spending by 0.5%

Conclusion

Limitations on supply have played a key role in CBO’s estimates of drug importation to date.

Savings from importation will vary by purchaser type (different purchasers pay different prices in the U.S.)

CBO is currently evaluating new drug importation proposals

Conclusion

CBO Issue Brief on drug importation and cost estimate of H.R. 2427 available at:

www.cbo.gov