109th CONGRESS
1st Session
S. 184
To amend the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to protect the
public health from the unsafe importation of prescription drugs and from counterfeit
prescription drugs, and for other purposes.
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
January 26, 2005
Mr. GREGG (for himself, Mr. SMITH, Ms. COLLINS, Mr. COLEMAN, and Ms. MURKOWSKI)
introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee
on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions
A BILL
To amend the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to protect the
public health from the unsafe importation of prescription drugs and from counterfeit
prescription drugs, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United
States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.
(a) Short Title- This Act may be cited as the `Safe Importation of Medical
Products and Other Rx Therapies Act of 2005' or the `Safe IMPORT Act of 2005'.
(b) Table of Contents- The table of contents of this Act is as follows:
Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
Sec. 3. Protection against adulterated prescription drugs.
Sec. 4. Internet pharmacies.
Sec. 5. Administrative detention and temporary hold.
Sec. 7. Debarment for repeated or serious prescription drug importation
violations.
Sec. 8. Registration of prescription drug importation facilities.
Sec. 9. Maintenance and inspection of records for prescription drugs.
Sec. 10. Advance notice of imported prescription drug shipments.
Sec. 11. Authority to mark prescription drugs refused admission into the
United States.
Sec. 12. Prohibition of port shopping.
Sec. 13. Authority to commission other Federal and State officials to conduct
inspections.
Sec. 14. User fees relating to prescription drug importation.
Sec. 15. Anticounterfeiting provisions.
Sec. 16. Conforming amendments.
SEC. 2. IMPORTATION.
(a) In General- Chapter VIII of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (21
U.S.C. 381 et seq.) is amended--
(1) by inserting after the chapter heading the following:
`Subchapter A--General Provisions';
(2) by adding at the end the following:
`Subchapter B--Importation of Prescription Drugs
`SEC. 811. DEFINITIONS.
`(1) DRUG IMPORTATION FACILITY- The term `drug importation facility' means
a person, other than an individual importing a prescription drug under section
812, located outside the United States (other than a transporter) that engages
in the distribution or dispensing of a prescription drug that is imported
or offered for importation into the United States.
`(2) INTERNET PHARMACY- The term `Internet pharmacy' means a person, other
than an individual importing a prescription drug under section 812, that
offers to dispense in the United States a prescription drug through an Internet
website in interstate commerce, regardless of whether the physical location
of the principal place of business of the Internet pharmacy is in the United
States or in another country.
`(3) PHARMACY- The term `pharmacy' means a person, other than an individual
importing a prescription drug under section 812, licensed by a State to
dispense prescription drugs or to provide pharmaceutical care.
`(A) IN GENERAL- The term `permitted country' means a country that--
`(i) was a member of the European Union as of December 31, 2003; and
`(ii) is designated by the Secretary as a permitted country under subparagraph
(B).
`(B) REPORT- Three years after the date of enactment of this subchapter,
the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor,
and Pensions of the Senate and to the Committee on Energy and Commerce
of the House of Representatives a report that includes--
`(i) a list of countries under subparagraph (A)(i) designated by the
Secretary from which a prescription drug shall be permitted to be imported
into the United States under this subchapter, and the basis for the
Secretary's determination that the importation of a prescription drug
from such countries would not present an increased risk to the public
health;
`(ii) a list of countries under subparagraph (A)(i) from which a prescription
drug shall not be permitted to be imported into the United States under
this subchapter, and the basis for Secretary's determination that the
importation of a prescription drug from such countries would present
an increased risk to the public health;
`(iii) for countries identified in clause (i), any additional measures
that could be taken to ensure that there will be no increased risk to
the public health; and
`(iv) for countries identified in clause (ii), any additional measures
that could be taken to a avoid, reduce, or mitigate such increased risk
to the public health.
`(C) DETERMINATION- The Secretary may determine whether to designate a
permitted country at any time after submission of the report under subparagraph
(B).
`(A) IN GENERAL- The term `prescription drug' means a drug described in
section 503(b) that is approved by the Secretary under section 505.
`(B) EXCLUSIONS- The term `prescription drug' does not include--
`(i) a controlled substance (as defined in section 102 of the Controlled
Substances Act (21 U.S.C. 802));
`(ii) a biological product (as defined in section 351 of the Public
Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 262));
`(iii) an infused drug (including a peritoneal dialysis solution);
`(iv) an intravenously injected drug;
`(v) a drug that is inhaled during surgery;
`(vii) a drug manufactured through 1 or more biotechnology processes,
including--
`(I) a therapeutic DNA plasmid product;
`(II) a therapeutic synthetic peptide product of not more than 40
amino acids;
`(III) a monoclonal antibody product for in vivo use; and
`(IV) a therapeutic recombinant DNA-derived product;
`(viii) a drug required to be refrigerated at any time during manufacturing,
packing, processing, or holding; or
`(ix) a photoreactive drug.
`(6) TREATING PROVIDER- The term `treating provider' means a licensed health
care provider that--
`(A)(i) performs a documented patient evaluation (including a patient
history and physical examination) of an individual to establish the diagnosis
for which a prescription drug is prescribed;
`(ii) discusses with the individual the treatment options of the individual
and the risks and benefits of treatment; and
`(iii) maintains contemporaneous medical records concerning the individual;
or
`(B) provides care to an individual as part of an on-call or cross-coverage
arrangement with a health care provider described in subparagraph (A).
`(A) IN GENERAL- The term `wholesaler' means a person licensed as a wholesaler
or distributor of prescription drugs in the United States as described
in section 503(e)(2).
`(B) EXCLUSION- The term `wholesaler' does not include--
`(i) a person authorized to import drugs under section 801(d)(1); or
`(ii) an individual importing a prescription drug under section 812.
`SEC. 812. PERSONAL IMPORTATION.
`(a) In General- An individual may import a prescription drug from Canada
or a permitted country into the United States for personal use (not for resale),
subject to subsections (b) and (c).
`(b) Importation- An individual may import a prescription drug if--
`(1) the prescription drug is purchased from a licensed pharmacy in Canada
or a licensed pharmacy in a permitted country and dispensed in compliance
with the applicable laws of Canada or the permitted country regarding the
practice of pharmacy;
`(2) the prescription drug is imported for personal use (not for resale)
by the individual;
`(3) the prescription drug is imported from Canada or a permitted country
into the United States;
`(4) the prescription drug is imported by the individual on the person of
the individual;
`(5) the quantity of the prescription drug imported does not exceed a 90-day
supply during any 90-day period; and
`(6) the prescription drug is accompanied by--
`(A) a copy of a prescription valid in a State and cosigned by a prescribing
physician in Canada or the permitted country; or
`(B) if the prescription drug is available in Canada or the permitted
country without a prescription, a copy of the valid prescription signed
by a pharmacist licensed in Canada or the permitted country.
`(c) Compassionate Use- The Secretary may permit an individual to import an
up to a 90-day supply of a drug that is not approved by the Secretary under
section 505 if the importation is for continuation of personal use by the
individual for treatment, begun in a foreign country, of a serious medical
condition.
`SEC. 813. PHARMACY AND WHOLESALER IMPORTATION OF PRESCRIPTION DRUGS.
`(1) IMPORTATION- A drug importation facility, pharmacy, Internet pharmacy,
or wholesaler may import a prescription drug from Canada or a permitted
country into the United States for dispensing in the United States in accordance
with this subchapter.
`(2) LIMITATION TO CERTAIN PORTS- The Secretary may limit the ports of entry
in the United States through which a prescription drug may be imported under
this section to a reasonable number of ports designated by the Secretary.
`(b) Requirements- Each prescription drug imported under this subchapter shall--
`(1) be approved under section 505;
`(2) comply with sections 501 and 502;
`(3) be in a container that bears a label stating, in prominent and conspicuous
type--
`(A) the lot number of the prescription drug;
`(B) the name, address and phone number of the drug importation facility;
`(C) the following: `This drug has been imported from XXXXX.',
with the name of the permitted country from which the prescription drug
is imported in the blank space; and
`(D) a unique identifier code provided by the Secretary that modifies
the national drug code of the prescription drug to indicate that the drug
has been imported; and
`(4) comply with any other applicable requirement of this Act.
`(1) IN GENERAL- A drug importation facility that offers for importation
a prescription drug under this subchapter shall submit to the Secretary
an application for approval that demonstrates that the labeling of the prescription
drug to be imported into the United States complies with the requirements
of sections 502 and 503.
`(2) PROCEDURE- Not later than 60 days after receipt of a completed application
under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall--
`(A) approve or deny the application consistent with the requirements
of sections 502 and 503; and
`(B) notify the applicant of the decision of the Secretary and, if the
application is denied, the reason for the denial.
`(A) APPLICATIONS- The Secretary shall maintain an updated list of applications
pending, applications approved, and applications denied under this subsection.
`(B) PORTS- The Secretary shall maintain an updated list of ports through
which a prescription drug may be imported under this section and make
the list available to the public on an Internet website.
`(d) Prohibition of Importation of a Prescription Drug That Enters Other Countries-
`(1) IN GENERAL- A drug importation facility, pharmacy, Internet pharmacy,
or wholesaler shall not import a prescription drug if, during any period
in which the prescription drug was not in the control of the manufacturer,
the prescription drug entered a country other than--
`(B) subject to paragraph (2), a country that was a member of the European
Union as of December 31, 2003.
`(2) LIMITATION- The Secretary may exclude 1 or more of the countries under
subparagraph (B) of paragraph (1) from the application of that subparagraph
if the Secretary determines that allowing a prescription drug to be imported
into the United States after having entered that country outside control
of a manufacturer would present a risk to the public health.
`(e) Prohibition of Commingling-
`(1) IN GENERAL- A drug importation facility, pharmacy, Internet pharmacy,
or wholesaler shall not commingle a prescription drug imported into the
United States under this subchapter with a prescription drug that is not
imported from Canada or a permitted country.
`(2) LABEL- A pharmacy or Internet pharmacy that dispenses a prescription
drug imported from Canada or a permitted country shall affix on each dispensed
container of the prescription drug the label required under subsection (b)(3)
unless such a label is already affixed to the container.
`(f) Drug Recalls- On receipt of notification from the manufacturer of a prescription
drug imported from Canada or a permitted country under this section that the
prescription drug has been recalled or withdrawn from the market in Canada
or a permitted country, a drug importation facility shall promptly provide
the Secretary and any person to whom the prescription drug was distributed
a notice that the drug has been recalled or withdrawn from the market and
that includes--
`(1) information (including the lot number) that identifies the prescription
drug; and
`(2) a statement of the reason for the recall or withdrawal.
`(g) Charitable Contributions- Notwithstanding any other provision of this
section, section 801(d)(1) continues to apply to a prescription drug that
is donated or otherwise supplied at no charge or a nominal charge by the manufacturer
of the prescription drug to a charitable or humanitarian organization (including
the United Nations and affiliates) or to a government of a foreign country.
`(h) Jurisdiction- The district courts of the United States shall have jurisdiction
in an action brought by the United States against a person importing or offering
for importation a prescription drug in violation of the requirements of this
section.
`(i) Effect of Section- Nothing in this section limits the authority of the
Secretary relating to the importation of prescription drugs (including the
interdiction of prescription drugs that are unapproved, adulterated, or misbranded),
other than with respect to section 801(d)(1) as provided in subsection (g).'.
(1) PERSONAL IMPORTATION-
(A) IN GENERAL- The Secretary of Health and Human Services may promulgate
regulations to carry out section 812 of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic
Act (as added by this section).
(B) EFFECTIVE DATE- Section 812 of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic
Act shall take effect on the date of enactment of this Act, without regard
to whether the Secretary of Health and Human Services has promulgated
regulations under paragraph (1).
(2) PHARMACY AND WHOLESALER IMPORTATION OF PRESCRIPTION DRUGS-
(A) IN GENERAL- The Secretary of Health and Human Services shall promulgate
interim final regulations to carry out section 813 of the Federal Food,
Drug, and Cosmetic Act (as added by this section).
(B) EFFECTIVE DATE- Section 813 of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic
Act shall take effect on the date that is 1 year after the date of enactment
of this Act, without regard to whether the Secretary of Health and Human
Services has promulgated regulations under paragraph (1).
(c) Prohibited Act- Section 301 of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act
(21 U.S.C. 331) is amended by adding at the end the following:
`(hh) Dispensing or offering to dispense a prescription drug imported into
the United States in violation of the requirements of section 813.'.
SEC. 3. PROTECTION AGAINST ADULTERATED PRESCRIPTION DRUGS.
Section 801(h) of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (21 U.S.C. 381(h))
is amended--
(A) by inserting `and prescription drugs' after `related to foods';
(B) by inserting `and of prescription drugs' after `adulteration of food,';
and
(C) by inserting `and prescription drugs' after `importation of food';
and
(2) in paragraph (3), by inserting `and for ensuring the safety of imported
prescription drugs' after `food safety'.
SEC. 4. INTERNET PHARMACIES.
(a) Internet Pharmacies- Chapter V of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic
Act (21 U.S.C. 351 et seq.) is amended by inserting after section 510 the
following:
`SEC. 511. INTERNET PHARMACIES.
`(a) Definitions- In this section:
`(1) ADVERTISING SERVICE PROVIDER- The term `advertising service provider'
means an advertising company that contracts with a provider of an interactive
computer service (as defined in section 230(f) of the Communications Act
of 1934 (47 U.S.C. 230(f)) to provide advertising on the Internet.
`(2) DESIGNATED PAYMENT SYSTEM-
`(A) IN GENERAL- The term `designated payment system' means a system used
by a person to effect a credit transaction, electronic transfer, or money
transmitting service described in subparagraph (B) that the Federal functional
regulators determine, by regulation or order, could be used in connection
with, or to facilitate, a restricted transaction.
`(B) PERSONS DESCRIBED- A person referred to in subparagraph (A) is--
`(ii) a credit card issuer;
`(iii) a financial institution;
`(iv) an operator of a terminal at which an electronic fund transfer
may be initiated;
`(v) a money transmitting business; or
`(vi)(I) an international, national, regional, or local network used
to effect a credit transaction, electronic fund transfer, or money transmitting
service; or
`(II) any participant in a network described in subclause (I).
`(3) FEDERAL FUNCTIONAL REGULATOR- The term `Federal functional regulator'
has the meaning given the term in section 509 of the Gramm-Leach-Bliley
Act (15 U.S.C. 6809).
`(4) PRESCRIPTION DRUG- The term `prescription drug' means a drug described
in section 503(b) that is approved by the Secretary under section 505.
`(5) INTERNET PHARMACY- The term `Internet pharmacy' means a person that
dispenses or offers to dispense a prescription drug through an Internet
website in interstate commerce in the United States regardless of whether
the physical location of the principal place of business of the Internet
pharmacy is in the United States or in another country.
`(6) RESTRICTED TRANSACTION- The term `restricted transaction' means a transaction
or transmittal, on behalf of a individual who places an unlawful Internet
pharmacy request to any person engaged in the operation of an unlicensed
Internet pharmacy, of--
`(A) credit, or the proceeds of credit, extended to or on behalf of the
individual who placed the unlawful Internet request (including credit
extended through the use of a credit card);
`(B) an electronic fund transfer or funds transmitted by or through a
money transmitting business, or the proceeds of an electronic fund transfer
or money transmitting service, from or on behalf of the individual who
placed the unlawful Internet request;
`(C) a check, draft, or similar instrument which is drawn by or on behalf
of the individual who placed the unlawful Internet request and is drawn
on or payable at or through any financial institution; or
`(D) the proceeds of any other form of financial transaction (identified
by the Federal functional regulators by regulation) that involves a financial
institution as a payor or financial intermediary on behalf of or for the
benefit of the individual who placed the unlawful Internet request.
`(7) UNLAWFUL INTERNET PHARMACY REQUEST- The term `unlawful Internet pharmacy
request' means the request, or transmittal of a request, made to an unlicensed
Internet pharmacy for a prescription drug by mail (including a private carrier),
facsimile, phone, or electronic mail, or by a means that involves the use,
in whole or in part, of the Internet.
`(A) CREDIT; CREDITOR; CREDIT CARD- The terms `credit', `creditor'; and
`credit card' have the meanings given the terms in section 103 of the
Truth in Lending Act (15 U.S.C. 1602).
`(B) ELECTRONIC FUND TRANSFER- The term `electronic fund transfer'--
`(i) has the meaning given the term in section 903 of the Electronic
Fund Transfer Act (15 U.S.C. 1693a); and
(ii) includes any fund transfer covered under Article 4A of the Uniform
Commercial Code, as in effect in any State.
`(C) FINANCIAL INSTITUTION- The term `financial institution'--
`(i) has the meaning given the term in section 903 of the Electronic
Transfer Fund Act (15 U.S.C. 1693a); and
`(ii) includes a financial institution (as defined in section 509 of
the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act (15 U.S.C. 6809)).
`(D) MONEY TRANSMITTING BUSINESS; MONEY TRANSMITTING SERVICE- The terms
`money transmitting business' and `money transmitting service' have the
meaning given the terms in section 5330(d) of title 31, United States
Code.
`(b) In General- An Internet pharmacy may only dispense or offer to dispense
a prescription drug to a person in the United States in accordance with this
section.
`(c) Licensing of Internet Pharmacies-
`(1) IN GENERAL- To be licensed under this section an Internet pharmacy
shall--
`(A) have its principal place of business in the United States, Canada,
or a permitted country; and
`(B) be licensed by the Secretary in accordance with this section prior
to dispensing a prescription drug to an individual.
`(2) CONDITIONS FOR LICENSING-
`(A) APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS- An Internet pharmacy shall submit to the
Secretary an application that includes--
`(i)(I) in the case of an Internet pharmacy located in the United States,
verification that, in each State in which the Internet pharmacy engages
in dispensing or offering to dispense prescription drugs, the Internet
pharmacy, and all employees and agents of the Internet pharmacy, is
in compliance with applicable Federal and State laws regarding--
`(aa) the practice of pharmacy, including licensing laws and inspection
requirements; and
`(bb) the manufacturing and distribution of controlled substances,
including with respect to mailing or shipping controlled substances
to consumers; or
`(II) in the case of an Internet pharmacy located in Canada or a permitted
country, verification that--
`(aa) all employees and agents of the Internet pharmacy are in compliance
with applicable laws of Canada or the permitted country regarding
the practice of pharmacy, including licensing laws and inspection
requirements; and
`(bb) the Internet pharmacy is in compliance with applicable Federal
and State laws regarding the practice of pharmacy, including licensing
laws and inspection requirements;
`(ii) verification that the person that owns the Internet pharmacy has
not had a license for an Internet pharmacy terminated by the Secretary,
and that no other Internet pharmacy owned by the person has had a license
under this subsection that has been terminated by the Secretary;
`(iii) verification from the person that owns the Internet pharmacy
that the person will permit inspection of the facilities and business
practices of the Internet pharmacy by the Secretary to the extent necessary
to determine whether the Internet pharmacy is in compliance with this
subsection; and
`(iv) in the case of an agreement between a patient and an Internet
pharmacy that releases the Internet pharmacy, and any employee or agent
of the Internet pharmacy, from liability for damages arising out of
the negligence of the Internet pharmacy, an assurance that such a limitation
of liability shall be null and void.
`(B) IDENTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS- An Internet pharmacy shall provide to
any person that accesses the Internet pharmacy website, on each page of
the website of the Internet pharmacy or by a link to a separate page,
the following information:
`(i) The street address, city, ZIP Code or comparable mail code, State
(or comparable entity), country, and telephone number of--
`(I) each place of business of the Internet pharmacy; and
`(II) the name of the supervising pharmacist of the Internet pharmacy
and each individual who serves as a pharmacist for purposes of the
Internet pharmacy website.
`(ii) The names of all States or countries, as appropriate, in which
the Internet pharmacy and the pharmacists employed by the Internet pharmacy
are licensed or otherwise authorized to dispense prescription drugs.
`(iii) If the Internet pharmacy makes referrals to, or solicits on behalf
of, a health care practitioner or group of practitioners in the United
States for prescription services--
`(I) the name, street address, city, ZIP Code or comparable mail code,
State, and telephone number of the practitioner or group; and
`(II) the name of each State in which each practitioner is licensed
or otherwise authorized to prescribe drugs.
`(iv) A statement that the Internet pharmacy will dispense prescription
drugs only after receipt of a valid prescription.
`(C) PROFESSIONAL SERVICES REQUIREMENTS- An Internet pharmacy shall carry
out the following:
`(i) Maintain patient medication profiles and other related data in
a readily accessible format organized to facilitate consultation with
treating providers, caregivers, and patients.
`(ii) Conduct prospective drug use reviews before dispensing medications
or medical devices.
`(iii) Ensure patient confidentiality and the protection of patient
identity and patient-specific information, in accordance with the regulations
promulgated under section 264(c) of the Health Insurance Portability
and Accountability Act of 1996 (42 U.S.C. 1320d-2 note).
`(iv) Offer interactive and meaningful consultation by a licensed pharmacist
to the caregiver or patient prior to and subsequent to the time at which
the Internet pharmacy dispenses the drug.
`(v)(I) Establish a mechanism for patients to report errors and suspected
adverse drug reactions.
`(II) Document in the reporting mechanism the response of the Internet
pharmacy to those reports.
`(vi) Develop a system to inform caregivers and patients about drug
recalls.
`(vii) Educate caregivers and patients about the appropriate means of
disposing of expired, damaged, or unusable medications.
`(viii) Assure that the sale of a prescription drug is in accordance
with a prescription from the treating provider of the individual.
`(ix)(I) Verify the validity of the prescription of an individual by
using 1 of the following methods:
`(aa) Receiving from the individual or treating provider of the individual
the prescription of the individual by mail (including a private carrier),
or receiving from the treating provider of the individual the prescription
of the individual by electronic mail.
`(bb) If the prescription is for a controlled substance (as defined
in section 102 of the Controlled Substances Act (21 U.S.C. 802)),
confirming with the treating provider the information in subclause
(II).
`(II) When seeking verification of a prescription of an individual under
subclause (I)(bb), an Internet pharmacy shall provide to the treating
provider the following information:
`(aa) The full name and address of the individual.
`(bb) Identification of the prescription drug.
`(cc) The quantity of the prescription drug to be dispensed.
`(dd) The date on which the individual presented the prescription
to the Internet pharmacy.
`(ee) The date and time of the verification request.
`(ff) The name of a contact person at the Internet pharmacy, including
a voice telephone number, electronic mail address, and facsimile telephone
number.
`(III) A prescription is verified under subclause (I)(bb) only if 1
of the following occurs:
`(aa) The treating provider confirms, by direct communication with
the Internet pharmacy, that the prescription is accurate.
`(bb) The treating provider informs the Internet pharmacy that the
prescription is inaccurate and provides the accurate prescription.
`(IV) An Internet pharmacy shall not fill a prescription if--
`(aa) a treating provider informs the Internet pharmacy within 72
hours after receipt of a communication under subclause (I)(bb) that
the prescription is inaccurate or expired; or
`(bb) the treating provider does not respond within that time.
`(x) Maintain, for such period of time as the Secretary shall prescribe
by regulation, a record of all direct communications with a treating
provider regarding the dispensing of a prescription drug, including
verification of the prescription.
`(3) LICENSURE PROCEDURE-
`(A) ACTION BY SECRETARY- On receipt of a completed licensing application
under paragraph (3), the Secretary shall--
`(i) assign an identification number to each Internet pharmacy;
`(ii) notify the applicant of the receipt of the licensure application;
and
`(iii) not later than 60 days after receipt of the licensure application,
issue a license if the Internet pharmacy is in compliance with conditions
under paragraph (3).
`(i) IN GENERAL- For the purpose of reducing paperwork and reporting
burdens, the Secretary shall require the use of electronic methods of
submitting to the Secretary a licensure application required under this
section and provide for electronic methods of receiving the applications.
`(ii) AUTHENTICATION- In providing for the electronic submission of
such licensure applications under this section, the Secretary shall
ensure that adequate authentication protocols are used to allow identification
of the Internet pharmacy and validation of the data as appropriate.
`(A) IN GENERAL- The Secretary shall compile, maintain, and periodically
update a list of licensees.
`(B) AVAILABILITY- The Secretary shall make the list described under subparagraph
(A) and information submitted by the licensee under paragraph (2)(B) available
to the public on an Internet website and through a toll-free telephone
number.
`(5) LICENSING FEE- The Secretary shall establish a licensing fee that an
Internet pharmacy licensed by the Secretary under this section shall be
required to pay to the Secretary.
`(i) COLLECTION OF INITIAL YEAR LICENSING FEE- A licensing fee of $5,000
shall be payable for the fiscal year in which the Internet pharmacy
first submits a licensing application under this section.
`(ii) COLLECTION IN SUBSEQUENT YEARS- After the licensing fee is paid
for the first fiscal year, the fee, as modified under subparagraph (B),
shall be payable on or before October 1 of each year.
`(iii) ONE FEE PER INTERNET PHARMACY- The licensing fee shall be paid
only once for each Internet pharmacy for a fiscal year in which the
fee is payable.
`(B) FEE AMOUNT- The amount of the licensing fee shall be determined each
year by the Secretary based on the anticipated costs to the Secretary
of enforcing the requirements of this section in the subsequent fiscal
year.
`(C) ANNUAL FEE DETERMINATION-
`(i) IN GENERAL- Not later than 60 days before the beginning of each
fiscal year beginning after September 30, 2005, the Secretary shall
determine the licensing fee for that fiscal year.
`(ii) PUBLICATION OF FEE AMOUNT- Not later than 60 days before each
fiscal year, the Secretary shall publish the licensing fee under this
section for that fiscal year and provide for a period of 30 days for
the public to provide written comments on the fee.
`(D) USE OF FEES- The licensing fees collected under this section shall
be used, without further appropriation, to carry out this section.
`(i) DUE DATE- A licensing fee payable under this section shall be paid
by the date that is 30 days after the date on which the fee is due.
`(ii) FAILURE TO PAY- If an Internet pharmacy subject to a fee under
this section fails to pay the fee by the date specified under clause
(i), the Secretary shall not permit the Internet pharmacy to engage
in the dispensing of drugs as described under this section until all
such fees owed by the Internet pharmacy are paid.
`(F) REPORTS- Beginning with fiscal year 2005, not later than 60 days
after the end of each fiscal year during which licensing fees are collected
under this section, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Health,
Education, Labor, and Pensions of the Senate and the Committee on Energy
and Commerce of the House of Representatives a report that describes--
`(i) implementation of the licensing fee authority during the fiscal
year; and
`(ii) the use by the Secretary of the licensing fees collected during
the fiscal year for which the report is made.
`(6) TERMINATION OF LICENSE- The Secretary, upon the initiative of the Secretary,
may terminate a license issued under subsection (c), after notice to the
Internet pharmacy and an opportunity for a hearing, and if the Secretary
determines that an Internet pharmacy--
`(A) has demonstrated a pattern of noncompliance with this section;
`(B) has made an untrue statement of material fact in its license application;
or
`(C) is in violation of any applicable Federal or State law relating to
the dispensing of a prescription drug.
`(A) IN GENERAL- Before renewing a license of an Internet pharmacy under
this subsection pursuant to the submission of a renewal application, the
Secretary shall conduct an evaluation to determine whether the Internet
pharmacy is in compliance with this section.
`(B) EVALUATION- At the discretion of the Secretary and as applicable,
an evaluation under subparagraph (A) may include testing of the Internet
pharmacy website or other systems through which the Internet pharmacy
communicates with consumers, and a physical inspection of the records
and premises of the pharmacy.
`(8) CONTRACT FOR OPERATION OF PROGRAM-
`(A) IN GENERAL- The Secretary may award a contract under this subsection
for the operation of the licensing program.
`(B) TERM- The duration of a contract under subparagraph (A) shall not
exceed 5 years and may be renewable.
`(C) PERFORMANCE REVIEW- The Secretary shall annually review performance
under a contract under subparagraph (A).
`(d) Providers of Interactive Computer Services or Advertising Services- A
provider of interactive computer services (as defined in section 230(f) of
the Communications Act of 1934 (47 U.S.C. 230(f))) or an advertising service
provider shall be liable under this section for dispensing or selling prescription
drugs in violation of this section on account of another person's selling
or dispensing of a prescription drug if the provider of the service--
`(1) accepts advertising for a prescription drug from an unlicensed Internet
pharmacy; or
`(2) accepts advertising stating that an individual does not need a physician's
prescription to obtain a prescription drug.
`(e) Policies and Procedures Required To Prevent Payments for Unlawful Internet
Pharmacy Requests-
`(1) REGULATIONS- Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this
section, the Federal functional regulators shall promulgate regulations
requiring a person described in subsection (a)(2) to prevent restricted
transactions by establishing policies and procedures that--
`(A)(i) are reasonably designed to allow the payment system and any person
involved in the payment system to identify restricted transactions by
means of codes in authorization messages or by other means; and
`(ii) are reasonably designed to block restricted transactions identified
as a result of the policies and procedures developed under clause (i);
or
`(B) prevent the acceptance of the products or services of the payment
system in connection with a restricted transaction.
`(2) REQUIREMENTS FOR POLICIES AND PROCEDURES- In promulgating regulations
under paragraph (1), the Federal functional regulators shall--
`(A) identify types of policies and procedures, including nonexclusive
examples, that shall be considered to be reasonably designed to identify
and reasonably designed to block or to prevent the acceptance of the products
or services in connection with each type of restricted transaction, including--
`(i) identifying transactions by a code or codes in the authorization
message; and
`(ii) denying authorization of a credit card transaction in response
to an authorization message; and
`(B) to the extent practicable, permit any participant in a designated
payment system to choose among alternative means of identifying and blocking,
or otherwise preventing the acceptance of the products or services of
the designated payment system or participant in connection with, restricted
transactions.
`(3) COMPLIANCE WITH PAYMENT SYSTEM POLICIES AND PROCEDURES- A person described
in subsection (a)(2)(B) meets the requirement of paragraph (1) if--
`(A) the person relies on and complies with the policies and procedures
of a designated payment system of which the person is a member or in which
the person is a participant, to--
`(i) identify and block restricted transactions; or
`(ii) otherwise prevent the acceptance of the products or services of
the payment system, member, or participant in connection with restricted
transactions; and
`(B) such policies and procedures of the designated payment system comply
with the requirements of regulations promulgated under paragraph (1).
`(4) NO LIABILITY FOR BLOCKING OR REFUSING TO HONOR RESTRICTED TRANSACTION-
A person that is subject to a regulation or an order issued under this section
and blocks or otherwise refuses to honor a restricted transaction (or a
transaction that such person reasonably believes to be a restricted transaction)
or as a member of a designated payment system, relies on the policies and
procedures of the payment system in an effort to comply with regulations
promulgated under this section, shall not be liable to any party for such
action.
`(A) IN GENERAL- This section shall be enforced by the Federal functional
regulators and the Federal Trade Commission under applicable law in the
manner provided in section 505(a) of the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act (21 U.S.C.
6805(a)).
`(B) FACTORS TO BE CONSIDERED- In considering any enforcement action under
this subsection against a payment system or person described in subsection
(a)(2)(B), the Federal functional regulators and the Federal Trade Commission
shall consider the following factors:
`(i) The extent to which the person is extending credit or transmitting
funds knowing the transaction is in connection with an unlawful Internet
pharmacy request.
`(ii) The history of the person in extending credit or transmitting
funds knowing the transaction is in connection with an unlawful Internet
pharmacy request.
`(iii) The extent to which the person has established and is maintaining
policies and procedures in compliance with regulations prescribed under
this subsection.
`(iv) The feasibility that any specific remedy prescribed can be implemented
by the person without substantial deviation from normal business practice.
`(v) The costs and burdens the specific remedy will have on the person.
`(f) Reports Regarding Internet-Related Violations of Federal and State Laws
on Dispensing of Drugs- The Secretary shall, pursuant to the submission of
an application meeting criteria prescribed by the Secretary, make an award
of a grant or contract to an entity with experience in developing and maintaining
systems for the purpose of--
`(1) identifying Internet pharmacy websites that are not licensed or that
appear to be operating in violation of Federal or State laws concerning
the dispensing of drugs;
`(2) reporting such Internet pharmacy websites to State medical licensing
boards and State pharmacy licensing boards, and to the Attorney General
and the Secretary, for further investigation; and
`(3) submitting, for each fiscal year for which the award under this subsection
is made, a report to the Secretary describing investigations undertaken
with respect to violations described in paragraph (1).'.
(b) Prohibited Act- Section 301 of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act
(21 U.S.C. 331) (as amended by section 2(b)) is amended by adding at the end
the following:
`(ii) The sale of a prescription drug, or the ownership or operation of an
Internet pharmacy, in violation of section 511.
`(jj) The representation by advertisement, sales presentation, direct communication
(including telephone, facsimile, or electronic mail), or otherwise by an Internet
pharmacy, that a prescription drug may be obtained from the Internet pharmacy
without a prescription, in violation of section 511.
`(kk) The acceptance of an advertisement from an Internet pharmacy by the
provider of an interactive computer service, unless the provider has on file
a copy of the license issued to the Internet pharmacy under section 511.'.
(c) Links to Illegal Internet Pharmacies- Section 302 of the Federal Food,
Drug, and Cosmetic Act (21 U.S.C. 332) is amended by adding at the end the
following:
`(c)(1) In the case of a violation of section 511 relating to an illegal Internet
pharmacy, the district courts of the United States and the United States courts
of the territories shall have jurisdiction to order a provider of an interactive
computer service to remove, or disable access to, a website violating that
section that resides on a computer server that the provider controls or operates.
`(2) Relief under paragraph (1)--
`(A) shall be available only after provision to the provider of notice and
an opportunity to appear;
`(B) shall not impose any obligation on the provider to monitor its service
or to affirmatively seek facts indicating activity violating section 511;
and
`(C) shall specify the provider to which the relief applies.'.
(1) IN GENERAL- Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this
Act, the Secretary of Health and Human Services shall promulgate interim
final regulations that are consistent with the Verified Internet Pharmacy
Sites certification program developed by the National Association of Boards
of Pharmacy to carry out the amendments made by this section.
(2) EFFECTIVE DATE- The requirement of licensure under section 511 of the
Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (as added by this section) shall take
effect on the date determined by the Secretary of Health and Human Services
but in no event later than 90 days after the effective date of the interim
final regulations under paragraph (1).
(e) Return to Sender- Section 801 of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic
Act (21 U.S.C. 381) is amended by adding at the end the following:
`(p) Unlicensed Internet Pharmacy- If an Internet pharmacy is not licensed
by the Secretary in accordance with section 511, any shipment of a prescription
drug from such an Internet pharmacy to an individual shall be refused admission
into the United States and the Secretary shall return the prescription drug,
other than a prescription drug that is required to be destroyed, to the Internet
pharmacy at the expense of the Internet pharmacy.
`(q) Licensed Internet Pharmacy- If a shipment of a prescription drug from
an Internet pharmacy licensed by the Secretary in accordance with section
511 to an individual is refused admission into the United States, the Secretary
shall--
`(1) return the prescription drug, other than a prescription drug that is
required to be destroyed, to the Internet pharmacy at the expense of the
Internet pharmacy; and
`(2) provide the individual and the Internet pharmacy with a written notice
that informs the individual and the Internet pharmacy of the refusal and
of the reason for the refusal.'.
SEC. 5. ADMINISTRATIVE DETENTION AND TEMPORARY HOLD.
(a) In General- The Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act is amended by adding
after section 815 (as added by section 9) the following:
`SEC. 816. ADMINISTRATIVE DETENTION.
`(a) Administrative Detention of Prescription Drugs-
`(1) DETENTION AUTHORITY-
`(A) IN GENERAL- An officer or qualified employee of the Food and Drug
Administration may order the detention, in accordance with this subsection,
of any prescription drug that is found during an inspection, examination,
or investigation under this Act conducted by the officer or qualified
employee, if the officer or qualified employee has credible evidence or
information indicating that the prescription drug presents a risk to the
public health.
`(B) APPROVAL- A prescription drug may be detained under subparagraph
(A) only if the Secretary or an official designated by the Secretary approves
the order of detention.
`(2) PERIOD OF DETENTION- A prescription drug may be detained under paragraph
(1) for a reasonable period, not to exceed 20 days, unless a greater period,
not to exceed 30 days, is necessary, to enable the Secretary to commence
an action under this subsection or section 302.
`(3) SECURITY OF DETAINED ARTICLE-
`(A) IN GENERAL- An order under paragraph (1) with respect to a prescription
drug--
`(i) may require that the prescription drug be labeled or marked as
detained; and
`(ii) shall require that the prescription drug be removed to a secure
facility, as appropriate.
`(B) NO TRANSFER- A prescription drug subject to an order under paragraph
(1) shall not be transferred by any person from the place at which the
prescription drug is ordered detained or from the place to which the prescription
drug is removed, until released by the Secretary or until the expiration
of the detention period applicable under the order, whichever occurs first.
`(C) EFFECT OF PARAGRAPH- This paragraph does not authorize the delivery
of a prescription drug pursuant to the execution of a bond while the prescription
drug is subject to an order under paragraph (1).
`(D) EFFECT OF BONDING PROVISION- Section 801(b) does not authorize the
delivery of a prescription drug pursuant to the execution of a bond while
the prescription drug is subject to an order under paragraph (1).
`(4) APPEAL OF DETENTION ORDER-
`(A) IN GENERAL- With respect to a prescription drug detained under paragraph
(1), any person that would be entitled to be a claimant for the prescription
drug if the prescription drug were seized under paragraph (1) may appeal
the order of detention to the Secretary.
`(B) ACTION BY THE SECRETARY- Not later than 5 days after an appeal is
filed, the Secretary, after providing opportunity for an informal hearing,
shall confirm or terminate the order, and confirmation by the Secretary
shall be considered to be a final agency action for purposes of section
702 of title 5, United States Code.
`(C) FAILURE TO ACT- If, during the 5-day period specified in subparagraph
(B), the Secretary fails to provide an opportunity for hearing or to confirm
or terminate the order, the order shall be deemed to be terminated.
`(D) EFFECT OF COMMENCEMENT OF COURT ACTION- The process under this paragraph
for the appeal of an order under paragraph (1) with respect to a prescription
drug terminates if the Secretary commences an action under subsection
(a) or section 302 regarding the prescription drug.
`(b) Effect of Section- Nothing in this section applies to a prescription
drug imported by an individual under section 812 or to a commercial transaction
conducted between an Internet pharmacy and an individual.'.
(b) Temporary Hold at Port of Entry- Section 801 of the Federal Food, Drug,
and Cosmetic Act (21 U.S.C. 381) (as amended by section 4(e)) is amended by
adding at the end the following:
`(r) Temporary Hold at Port of Entry-
`(1) IN GENERAL- If an officer or qualified employee of the Food and Drug
Administration has credible evidence or information indicating that a prescription
drug presents a risk to the public health, and the officer or qualified
employee is unable to inspect, examine, or investigate the prescription
drug upon the prescription drug's being offered for import at a port of
entry into the United States, the officer or qualified employee shall request
the Secretary of the Treasury to hold the prescription drug at the port
of entry for a reasonable period of time, not to exceed 24 hours, for the
purpose of enabling the Secretary to inspect, examine, or investigate the
prescription drug as appropriate.
`(A) IN GENERAL- An officer or qualified employee of the Food and Drug
Administration may make a request under paragraph (1) only if the Secretary
or an official designated by the Secretary approves the request.
`(B) DESIGNEES- An official may not be designated under subparagraph (A)
unless the official is the director of the district under this Act in
which the prescription drug is located, or is an official senior to that
director.
`(3) NOTIFICATION- With respect to a prescription drug for which a request
under paragraph (1) is made, the Secretary, promptly after the request is
made, shall notify the State in which the port of entry involved is located
that the request has been made, and as applicable, that the prescription
drug, is being held under this subsection.
`(4) REMOVAL- A prescription drug held under paragraph (1) shall be removed
to a secure facility, as appropriate.
`(5) NO TRANSFER- During the period in which a prescription drug is held
under this subsection, the prescription drug shall not be transferred by
any person from the port of entry into the United States for the prescription
drug or from the secure facility to which the prescription drug has been
removed.
`(6) EFFECT OF BONDING PROVISION- Subsection (b) does not authorize the
delivery of a prescription drug held under this subsection pursuant to the
execution of a bond while the prescription drug is held under this subsection.
`(7) EFFECT OF SUBSECTION- Nothing in this subsection applies to a prescription
drug imported by an individual under section 812 or to a commercial transaction
conducted between an Internet pharmacy and an individual.'.
(c) Prohibited Act- Section 301 of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act
(21 U.S.C. 331) (as amended by section 4(b)) is amended by adding at the end
the following:
`(ll) The transfer of a prescription drug in violation of an order under section
816, or the removal or alteration of any mark or label required by the order
to identify the prescription drug as detained.'.
SEC. 6. SUSPENSION.
(a) In General- The Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act is amended by adding
after section 816 (as added by section 5) the following:
`SEC. 817. SUSPENSION OF IMPORTATION.
`(a) Prescription Drug- If the Secretary determines that the importation of
a particular prescription drug or particular dosage form of a prescription
drug into the United States presents a risk to the public health, the Secretary
may immediately order the suspension of the importation of the particular
prescription drug or particular dosage form of the prescription drug.
`(b) Suspension- If the Secretary determines that a drug importation facility,
pharmacy, Internet pharmacy, or wholesaler is engaged in a pattern of importing
or offering for importation a prescription drug into the United States in
violation of any of the requirements of this Act, the Secretary may immediately
order the suspension of that person from engaging in the importation or offering
for importation of prescription drugs into the United States.
`(c) Canada or Permitted Country- If the Secretary determines that there is
a pattern of prescription drugs being imported or offered for importation
into the United States from Canada or a permitted country in violation of
any of the requirements of this Act, the Secretary may immediately order the
suspension of the importation or offering for importation into the United
States of prescription drugs from Canada or that permitted country, as appropriate.
`(d) Appeal of Suspension Order-
`(A) PRESCRIPTION DRUGS- With respect to the importation of a prescription
drug, the importation of which is suspended under subsection (a), any
person that would be entitled to be a claimant for the prescription drug
may appeal the suspension order to the Secretary.
`(B) SUSPENDED PERSONS- With respect to a drug importation facility, pharmacy,
Internet pharmacy, or wholesaler subject to a suspension order under subsection
(b) or (c), the drug importation facility, pharmacy, Internet pharmacy
or wholesaler may appeal the suspension order to the Secretary.
`(2) ACTION BY THE SECRETARY- Not later than 30 days after an appeal is
filed, the Secretary, after providing opportunity for an informal hearing,
shall confirm or terminate the order.
`(3) FAILURE TO ACT- If, during the 30-day period specified in paragraph
(2), the Secretary fails to provide an opportunity for a hearing or to confirm
or terminate the order, the order shall be deemed to be terminated.
`(e) No Judicial Review- An order under this section shall not be subject
to judicial review.
`(f) Effect of Section- Nothing in this section applies to a prescription
drug imported by an individual under section 812 or to a commercial transaction
conducted between an Internet pharmacy and an individual.'.
(b) Prohibited Act- Section 301 of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act
(21 U.S.C. 331) (as amended by section 5(c)) is amended by adding at the end
the following:
`(mm) The importation or offering for importation of a prescription drug in
violation of an order under section 817.'.
SEC. 7. DEBARMENT FOR REPEATED OR SERIOUS PRESCRIPTION DRUG IMPORTATION
VIOLATIONS.
(1) PERMISSIVE DEBARMENT- Section 306(b)(1) of the Federal Food, Drug, and
Cosmetic Act (21 U.S.C. 335a(b)(1)) is amended--
(A) in subparagraph (B), by striking `or' at the end;
(B) in subparagraph (C), by striking the period at the end and inserting
`, or'; and
(C) by adding at the end the following:
`(D) a person from importing a prescription drug or offering a prescription
drug for importation into the United States.'.
(2) AMENDMENT REGARDING DEBARMENT GROUNDS- Section 306(b) of the Federal
Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (21 U.S.C. 335a(b)) is amended--
(A) by redesignating paragraph (4) as paragraph (5); and
(B) by inserting after paragraph (3) the following:
`(4) PERSONS SUBJECT TO PERMISSIVE DEBARMENT; PRESCRIPTION DRUG IMPORTATION-
`(A) IN GENERAL- A person is subject to debarment under paragraph (1)(D)
if--
`(i) the person has been convicted of a felony for conduct relating
to the importation into the United States of any prescription drug;
or
`(ii) the person has engaged in a pattern of importing or offering for
import a prescription drug that presents a risk to the public health.
`(B) EFFECT OF PARAGRAPH- Nothing in this paragraph applies to a prescription
drug imported by an individual under section 812 or to a commercial transaction
conducted between an Internet pharmacy and an individual.'.
(b) Conforming Amendments- Section 306 of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic
Act (21 U.S.C. 335a) is amended--
(1) in subsection (b), by striking the subsection heading and inserting
the following:
`(b) Permissive Debarment; Certain Drug Applications; Imports- ';
(2) in subsection (c)(2)(A)(iii), by striking `paragraph (2) or (3) of subsection
(b)' and inserting `paragraph (2), (3), or (4) of subsection (b)'; and
(3) in subsection (d)(3)--
(A) in subparagraph (A)(i), by striking `or paragraph (2)(A) or (3) of
subsection (b)' and inserting `paragraph (2)(A), (3), or (4) of subsection
(b)';
(B) in clauses (i) and (ii) of subparagraph (B), by striking `or subsection
(b)(3)' and inserting `paragraph (3) or (4) of subsection (b)'; and
(C) in subparagraph (B)(ii), by striking `or the food importation process,
as the case may be' and inserting `, or the food or prescription drug
importation process, as the case may be'.
(c) Effective Date- Section 306(l)(2) of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic
Act (21 U.S.C. 335a(l)(2)) is amended--
(1) in the first sentence, by striking `and subsection (b)(3)(A)' and inserting
`subsection (b)(3)(A), and subsection (b)(4)(A)'; and
(2) in the second sentence, by inserting `, subsection (b)(4)(B),' after
`subsection (b)(3)(B)'.
(d) Prohibited Act- Section 301 of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act
(21 U.S.C. 331) (as amended by section 6(b)) is amended by adding at the end
the following:
`(nn) The importing or offering for importation into the United States of
a prescription drug by, with the assistance of, or at the direction of a person
debarred under section 306(b)(4).'.
(e) Importation by Debarred Persons- Section 801 of the Federal Food, Drug,
and Cosmetic Act (21 U.S.C. 381) (as amended by section 5(b)) is amended by
adding at the end the following:
`(s) Importation of Prescription Drugs by Debarred Persons-
`(1) IN GENERAL- If a prescription drug is imported or offered for importation
into the United States, and the importer, owner, or consignee of the prescription
drug is a person that has been debarred under section 306(b)(4), the prescription
drug--
`(A) shall be held at the port of entry for the prescription drug; and
`(B) may not be delivered to the person.
`(2) EFFECT OF BONDING PROVISION- Subsection (b) does not authorize the
delivery of a prescription drug pursuant to the execution of a bond while
the prescription drug is held under this subsection.
`(3) REMOVAL- A prescription drug held under this subsection shall be removed
to a secure facility, as appropriate.
`(4) NO TRANSFER- During a period in which a prescription drug is held under
this subsection, the prescription drug shall not be transferred by any person
from the port of entry into the United States for the prescription drug
or from the secure facility to which the prescription drug has been removed.
`(5) PERMISSIBLE DELIVERY- A prescription drug held under this subsection
may be delivered to a person that is not a debarred person under section
306(b)(4) if the person affirmatively establishes, at the expense of the
person, that the prescription drug complies with the requirements of this
Act, as determined by the Secretary.'.
SEC. 8. REGISTRATION OF PRESCRIPTION DRUG IMPORTATION FACILITIES.
(a) Registration of Certain Importers- The Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic
Act is amended by adding after section 813 (as added by section 2) the following:
`SEC. 814. REGISTRATION OF CERTAIN IMPORTERS.
`(a) In General- A drug importation facility, pharmacy, Internet pharmacy,
or wholesaler engaged in the importation or offering for importation of prescription
drugs into the United States, or in the dispensing of such drugs, shall register
with the Secretary in accordance with this section.
`(1) IN GENERAL- To register, the owner, operator, or agent in charge of
a drug importation facility, pharmacy, Internet pharmacy, or wholesaler
shall submit to the Secretary a registration that discloses--
`(A) the name and address of each drug importation facility, pharmacy,
Internet pharmacy, or wholesaler at which, and all trade names under which,
the registrant conducts business;
`(B) the name of each prescription drug to be imported into the United
States by each drug importation facility, pharmacy, Internet pharmacy,
or wholesaler; and
`(C) the name and address of an agent for service of process in the United
States.
`(2) CHANGE IN INFORMATION- The registrant shall notify the Secretary in
a timely manner of any change in the information provided under paragraph
(1).
`(3) PROCEDURE- Not later than 60 days after receipt of a completed registration
under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall--
`(A) assign a registration number to each registered drug importation
facility, pharmacy, Internet pharmacy, and wholesaler; and
`(B) notify the registrant of the receipt of the registration.
`(A) IN GENERAL- The Secretary shall compile, maintain, and periodically
update a list of registrants.
`(B) AVAILABILITY- The Secretary shall make the list described under subparagraph
(A) and information submitted by a registrant under paragraph (1) available
to the public on an Internet website and through a toll-free telephone
number.
`(1) IN GENERAL- For the purpose of reducing paperwork and reporting burdens,
the Secretary shall provide for, and require the use of, electronic methods
of submitting to the Secretary registrations required under this section
and shall provide for electronic methods of receiving the registrations.
`(2) AUTHENTICATION- In providing for the electronic submission of such
registrations under this section, the Secretary shall ensure that adequate
authentication protocols are used to allow identification of the registrant
and validation of the data as appropriate.
`(1) AUTHORITY- Nothing in this section authorizes the Secretary to require
an application, review, or licensing process for a drug importation facility,
pharmacy, or wholesaler.
`(2) IMPORTATION BY INDIVIDUALS- Nothing in this section applies to a prescription
drug imported by an individual under section 812 or to a commercial transaction
conducted between an Internet pharmacy and an individual.'.
(1) IN GENERAL- Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this
Act, the Secretary of Health and Human Services shall promulgate regulations
to carry out section 814 of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (as
added by this section).
(2) EFFECTIVE DATE- The requirement of registration under section 814 of
the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act takes effect--
(A) on the effective date of the final regulations under paragraph (1);
or
(B) if the final regulations have not been made effective as of the expiration
of that period, on the date that is 1 year after the date of enactment
of this Act, subject to compliance with the final regulations when the
final regulations are made effective.
(c) Importation; Failure To Register- Section 801 of the Federal Food, Drug,
and Cosmetic Act (21 U.S.C. 381) (as amended by section 7(e)) is amended by
adding at the end the following:
`(t) Failure To Register-
`(1) IN GENERAL- If a drug importation facility, pharmacy, Internet pharmacy,
or wholesaler engaged in the importation or offering for importation of
prescription drugs into the United States has not submitted a registration
to the Secretary in accordance with section 814, a prescription drug that
is being imported or offered for importation into the United States shall
not be delivered to the importer, owner, or consignee of the prescription
drug until the drug importation facility, pharmacy, Internet pharmacy, or
wholesaler is registered in accordance with section 814.
`(2) EFFECT OF SUBSECTION (b)- Subsection (b) does not authorize the delivery
of the prescription drug pursuant to the execution of a bond while the prescription
drug is held under this subsection.
`(3) REMOVAL- A prescription drug held under this subsection shall be removed
to a secure facility, as appropriate.
`(4) NO TRANSFER- During the period in which a prescription drug is held
under this subsection, the prescription drug shall not be transferred by
any person from the port of entry into the United States for the prescription
drug or from the secure facility to which the prescription drug has been
removed.'.
(d) Prohibited Act- Section 301 of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act
(21 U.S.C. 331) (as amended by section 7(d)) is amended by adding at the end
the following:
`(oo) The failure of a drug importation facility, pharmacy, Internet pharmacy,
or wholesaler engaged in the importation or offering for importation of prescription
drugs into the United States, or in the dispensing of such drugs, to register
in accordance with section 814.'.
SEC. 9. MAINTENANCE AND INSPECTION OF RECORDS FOR PRESCRIPTION DRUGS.
The Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act is amended by adding after section
814 (as added by section 8) the following:
`SEC. 815. MAINTENANCE AND INSPECTION OF RECORDS FOR PRESCRIPTION DRUGS.
`(a) In General- The Secretary may by regulation establish requirements relating
to the establishment and maintenance, for not longer than 2 years, of records
by--
`(1) a drug importation facility, pharmacy, Internet pharmacy, or wholesaler
engaged in the importation of prescription drugs into the United States,
or in the dispensing of such drugs; and
`(2) any person that processes, packages, distributes, receives, holds,
or transports a prescription drug imported under this subchapter.
`(1) IN GENERAL- If the Secretary has reason to believe that a prescription
drug imported under this subchapter presents a risk to the public health,
the drug importation facility, pharmacy, Internet pharmacy, or wholesaler
that imports the prescription drug, and each person that processes, packages,
distributes, receives, holds, or transports the prescription drug shall,
at the request of an officer or employee duly designated by the Secretary,
permit the officer or employee, upon presentation of appropriate credentials
and a written notice to such pharmacy or person, at reasonable times, within
reasonable limits and in a reasonable manner, to have access to and copy
all records relating to the prescription drug that are needed to enable
the Secretary to determine whether the prescription drug presents a risk
to the public health.
`(2) APPLICABILITY- Paragraph (1) applies to all records maintained by or
on behalf of the drug importation facility, pharmacy, Internet pharmacy,
or wholesaler or such other person in any format (including paper and electronic
formats) and at any location.
`(c) Protection of Sensitive Information- The Secretary shall take appropriate
measures to ensure that there are in effect effective procedures to prevent
the unauthorized disclosure of any trade secret or confidential information
that is obtained by the Secretary under this section or any commercial or
financial information that is privileged or confidential.
`(d) Effect of Section- Nothing in this section applies to a prescription
drug imported by an individual under section 812 or to a commercial transaction
conducted between an Internet pharmacy and an individual.'.
SEC. 10. ADVANCE NOTICE OF IMPORTED PRESCRIPTION DRUG SHIPMENTS.
(a) In General- Section 801 of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (as
amended by section 8(b)) is amended by adding at the end the following:
`(u) Advance Notice of Imported Prescription Drug Shipments-
`(1) IN GENERAL- For purposes of enabling the Secretary to inspect at ports
of entry a prescription drug that is being imported or offered for importation
into the United States, the person importing or offering for importation
the prescription drug shall, in advance, provide to the Secretary a notice
that includes--
`(A) the established name (as defined by section 502(e)), dosage form,
and quantity of the prescription drug;
`(B) the name of the shipper of the prescription drug;
`(C) the name of the country from which the prescription drug originates;
`(D) the country from which the prescription drug is shipped;
`(E) the name of the port of entry of the prescription drug;
`(F) documentation from the drug importation facility located in Canada
or a permitted country specifying--
`(i) the original source of the prescription drug; and
`(ii) the quantity of each lot of the prescription drug originally received
by the facility from that source;
`(G) the lot or control number assigned to the prescription drug by the
manufacturer of the prescription drug;
`(H) the name, address, telephone number, and professional license number
of the drug importation facility located in Canada or a permitted country;
and
`(I) certification from the drug importation facility located in a foreign
country or from the manufacturer of the prescription drug that the prescription
drug--
`(i) is approved for marketing in the United States and is not adulterated
or misbranded; and
`(ii) meets all labeling requirements under this Act.
`(2) REFUSAL OF ADMISSION- A prescription drug imported or offered for importation
without submission of a notice under paragraph (1) shall be refused admission
into the United States.
`(3) PERIOD OF ADVANCE NOTICE- The period in which the notice under paragraph
(1) is required to be made in advance of the time of the importation of
a prescription drug or the offering of a prescription drug for importation
shall be not less than 24 hours and not more than 5 days.
`(4) FAILURE TO PROVIDE NOTICE-
`(A) IN GENERAL- If a prescription drug is being imported or offered for
importation into the United States and notice is not provided in advance
in accordance with paragraph (1), the prescription drug shall be held
at the port of entry for the prescription drug, and may not be delivered
to the importer, owner, or consignee of the prescription drug, until the
notice is submitted to the Secretary and the Secretary examines the notice
and determines that the notice is in accordance with the requirements
under paragraph (1).
`(5) EFFECT OF BONDING PROVISION- Subsection (b) does not authorize the
delivery of a prescription drug pursuant to the execution of a bond while
the prescription drug is held under this subsection.
`(6) REMOVAL- A prescription drug held under this subsection shall be removed
to a secure facility, as appropriate.
`(7) NO TRANSFER- During a period in which a prescription drug is held under
this subsection, the prescription drug shall not be transferred by any person
from the port of entry into the United States for the article or from the
secure facility to which the prescription drug has been removed.
`(8) EFFECT OF SUBSECTION-
`(A) AUTHORITY- This subsection does not limit the authority of the Secretary
to obtain information under any other provision of this Act.
`(B) IMPORTATION BY INDIVIDUALS- Nothing in this subsection applies to
a prescription drug imported by an individual under section 812 or to
a commercial transaction conducted between an Internet pharmacy and an
individual.'.
(b) Prohibited Act- Section 301 of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act
(21 U.S.C. 331) (as amended by section 8(c)) is amended by adding at the end
the following:
`(pp) The failure to submit prior notice of the importation of a prescription
drug in violation of section 801(s).'.
SEC. 11. AUTHORITY TO MARK PRESCRIPTION DRUGS REFUSED ADMISSION INTO THE
UNITED STATES.
(a) In General- Section 801 of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (21
U.S.C. 381) (as amended by section 10(a)) is amended by adding at the end
the following:
`(v) Prescription Drugs Refused Admission-
`(1) IN GENERAL- If a prescription drug has been refused admission under
subsection (a), other than such a prescription drug that is required to
be destroyed, the Secretary may require the owner or consignee of the prescription
drug to affix to the container of the prescription drug a label that clearly
and conspicuously bears the statement: `UNITED STATES: REFUSED ENTRY'.
`(2) EXPENSES- All expenses in connection with affixing a label under paragraph
(1)--
`(A) shall be paid by the owner or consignee of the prescription drug;
and
`(B) in default of such payment, shall constitute a lien against future
importations made by the owner or consignee.
`(3) EFFECTIVE PERIOD- A requirement under paragraph (1) with respect to
a prescription drug remains in effect until the Secretary determines that
the prescription drug has been brought into compliance with this Act.
`(4) EFFECT OF SUBSECTION- Nothing in this subsection applies to a prescription
drug imported by an individual under section 812 or to a commercial transaction
conducted between an Internet pharmacy and an individual.'.
(b) Misbranded Prescription Drugs- Section 502 of the Federal Food, Drug,
and Cosmetic Act (21 U.S.C. 352) is amended by adding at the end the following:
`(1) it is a prescription drug refused admission into the United States
that fails to bear a label required by the Secretary under section 801(v);
`(2) the Secretary finds that the prescription drug presents a risk to the
public health; and
`(3) on or after notifying the owner or consignee of the prescription drug
that the label is required under section 801(v), the Secretary informs the
owner or consignee that the prescription drug presents such a risk.'.
(c) Rule of Construction- With respect to a prescription drug that is imported
or offered for importation into the United States, nothing in this section
limits the authority of the Secretary of Health and Human Services or the
Secretary of the Treasury to require the marking of prescription drugs refused
admission under any other provision of law.
SEC. 12. PROHIBITION OF PORT SHOPPING.
Section 502 of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (21 U.S.C. 352) (as
amended by section 11(b)) is amended by adding at the end the following:
`(A) it is a prescription drug imported or offered for importation into
the United States; and
`(B) the prescription drug has previously been refused admission under
section 801(a);
unless the person reoffering the prescription drug affirmatively establishes,
at the expense of the owner or consignee of the prescription drug, that
the prescription drug complies with the applicable requirements of this
Act, as determined by the Secretary.
`(2) EFFECT OF PARAGRAPH- Nothing in this paragraph applies to importation
of a prescription drug under section 812 or to a commercial transaction
conducted between an Internet pharmacy and an individual.'.
SEC. 13. AUTHORITY TO COMMISSION OTHER FEDERAL AND STATE OFFICIALS TO CONDUCT
INSPECTIONS.
Section 702(a) of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (21 U.S.C. 372(a))
is amended--
(1) by redesignating paragraphs (3) and (4) as paragraphs (5) and (6), respectively;
and
(2) inserting after paragraph (2) the following:
`(3)(A) The Secretary, pursuant to a memorandum of understanding between
the Secretary and the head of another Federal agency, may conduct examinations
and investigations for the purposes of enforcing compliance with the amendments
made by the Safe IMPORT Act of 2005 through the officers and employees of
the other agency.
`(B) A memorandum of understanding under subparagraph (A) shall include--
`(i) provisions to ensure adequate training of officers and employees
to conduct the examinations and investigations; and
`(ii) provisions regarding reimbursement that may, in the discretion of
the head of the other agency, require reimbursement, in whole or in part,
from the Secretary for the examinations or investigations performed under
this paragraph by the officers or employees of the other agency.
`(C) A memorandum of understanding under subparagraph (A) shall be effective
only with respect to examinations or inspections at facilities or other
locations that are jointly regulated by the Secretary and the other agency.
`(D) Not later than 60 days after the end of each fiscal year in which the
head a Federal agency carries out 1 or more examinations or inspections
under a memorandum of understanding under subparagraph (A), the Secretary
and the agency head shall submit to the Committee on Health, Education,
Labor, and Pensions of the Senate and to the Committee on Energy and Commerce
of the House of Representatives, a report that discloses, for that year--
`(i) the number of officers or employees that carried out 1 or more programs,
projects, or activities under the memorandum of understanding;
`(ii) the number of additional articles that were inspected or examined
as a result of the memorandum of understanding; and
`(iii) the number of additional examinations or investigations that were
carried out pursuant to the memorandum of understanding.
`(4)(A) The Secretary may enter into a contract with a State to use the
State Board of Pharmacy personnel of the State to conduct examinations and
inspection for the purpose of carrying out the amendments made by the Safe
IMPORT Act of 2005.
`(B) A contract entered into under subparagraph (A) shall--
`(i) ensure adequate training of officers and employees to conduct the
examinations and investigations; and
`(ii) be effective only with respect to examinations or inspections of
drug importation facilities, pharmacies, Internet pharmacies, and wholesalers
located in the State.'.
SEC. 14. USER FEES RELATING TO PRESCRIPTION DRUG IMPORTATION.
Subchapter C of chapter VII of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (21
U.S.C. 397f et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following:
`PART 5--FEES RELATING TO PRESCRIPTION DRUG IMPORTATION
`SEC. 740A. FEES RELATING TO PRESCRIPTION DRUG IMPORTATION.
`(a) Registration Fee- The Secretary shall establish a user fee program under
which a drug importation facility, pharmacy, Internet pharmacy, or wholesaler
registering with the Secretary under section 814 shall be required to pay
a fee to the Secretary.
`(1) COLLECTION ON INITIAL REGISTRATION- A fee under this section shall
be payable for the fiscal year in which the drug importation facility, pharmacy,
Internet pharmacy, or wholesaler first registers under section 814 (or reregisters
under that section if that person has withdrawn its registration and subsequently
reregisters).
`(2) COLLECTION IN SUBSEQUENT YEARS- After the fee is paid for that fiscal
year, the fee shall be payable on or before October 1 of each year.
`(3) ONE FEE PER FACILITY- The fee shall be paid only once for each drug
importation facility, pharmacy, Internet pharmacy, or wholesaler registered
for a fiscal year in which the fee is payable.
`(c) Fee Amount- The amount of the fee shall be determined each year by the
Secretary and shall be based on the anticipated costs to the Secretary of
enforcing the amendments made by the Safe IMPORT Act of 2005 in the subsequent
fiscal year.
`(d) Use of Fees- The fees collected under this section shall be used, without
further appropriation, to enforce the amendments made by the Safe IMPORT Act
of 2005.
`(e) Annual Fee Setting- The Secretary shall establish, 60 days before the
beginning of each fiscal year beginning after September 30, 2005, for that
fiscal year, registration fees.
`(f) Effect of Failure To Pay Fees-
`(1) DUE DATE- A fee payable under this section shall be paid by the date
that is 30 days after the date on which the fee is due.
`(2) FAILURE TO PAY- If a registered drug importation facility, pharmacy,
Internet pharmacy, or wholesaler subject to a fee under this section fails
to pay the fee, the Secretary shall not permit the drug importation facility
pharmacy, Internet pharmacy, or wholesaler to engage in importation or offering
for importation prescription drugs under this Act until all such fees owed
by that person are paid.
`(1) FEE ESTABLISHMENT- Not later than 60 days before each fiscal year,
the Secretary shall--
`(A) publish user fees under this section for that fiscal year;
`(B) hold a meeting at which the public may comment on the recommendations;
and
`(C) provide for a period of 30 days for the public to provide written
comments on the recommendations.
`(2) PERFORMANCE AND FISCAL REPORT- Beginning with fiscal year 2006, not
later than 60 days after the end of each fiscal year during which fees are
collected under this section, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee
on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions of the Senate and the Committee
on Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives a report that describes--
`(A) implementation of the user fee authority during the fiscal year;
and
`(B) the use by the Secretary of the fees collected during the fiscal
year for which the report is made.'.
SEC. 15. ANTICOUNTERFEITING PROVISIONS.
(a) Required Records- Section 503(e) of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic
Act (21 U.S.C. 353(e)) is amended by striking paragraph (1) and inserting
the following: `(1) A distributor of record that is engaged in the wholesale
distribution of a drug subject to subsection (b), shall--
`(A) before each wholesale distribution of the drug--
`(i) with respect to each wholesale distribution of a drug subject to
subsection (b), provide the person that receives the drug a statement
that identifies the immediately previous distributor of record from which
the drug was purchased; and
`(ii) with respect to a drug subject to subsection (b) that is imported
to the United States, provide the person that receives the drug a statement
(in such form and containing such information as the Secretary may require)
identifying each prior sale, purchase, or trade of the drug (including
the date of transmission and the names and addresses of all parties to
the transaction); and
`(B) create, maintain for 2 years, and make available to the Secretary for
inspection at reasonable time, records that--
`(i) with respect to each wholesale distribution of a drug subject to
subsection (b), identifies--
`(I) the immediately previous distributor of record from which the drug
was purchased; and
`(II) the immediately subsequent distributor of record to which the
drug was sold or otherwise transferred; and
`(ii) with respect to a drug subject to subsection (b) that is imported
to the United States, identifies--
`(I) each previous distributor of record from which the drug was purchased
or otherwise transferred; and
`(II) each subsequent distributor of record to which the drug was sold
or otherwise transferred, to the extent feasible.'.
(b) Electronic Track and Trace Technology- Not later than December 31, 2007,
the Secretary of Health and Human Services shall require the adoption and
use of electronic track and trace technology for a prescription drug at the
case and pallet level that will identify each sale, purchase, or trade of
that case or pallet (including the date of transmission and the names and
addresses of all parties to the transaction) .
(c) Distributors of Record- Section 503(e) of the Federal Food, Drug, and
Cosmetic Act (21 U.S.C. 353(e)) is amended by striking paragraph (3) and inserting
the following:
`(3) For the purposes of this subsection and subsection (d)--
`(A) the term `distributor of record'--
`(i) means a person that takes title to or possession of a drug subject
to subsection (b) from manufacture to retail sale;
`(ii) includes a person that manufacturers, processes, packs, distributes,
receives, holds, imports, or offers for importation a drug subject to
subsection (b); and
`(iii) does not include a transporter;
`(B) the term `transporter' means the United States Postal Service, or equivalent
governmental service of a foreign country, or a private carrier engaged
in the business of transporting packages for hire; and
`(C) the term `wholesale distribution' means the distribution of a drug
subject to subsection (b) to other than the consumer or patient but not
including an intracompany sale or distribution of a drug described in subsection
(c)(3)(B).'.
(d) Anticounterfeiting Programs- Section 503(e) of the Federal Food, Drug,
and Cosmetic Act (21 U.S.C. 353(e)) is amended by adding at the end the following:
`(4) The Secretary shall--
`(A) establish a network to be known as the `Counterfeit Alert Network'
for the purpose of providing prompt notification to health professionals
and the public of counterfeit drugs subject to subsection (b);
`(B)(i) develop and publish an Internet accessible-reference document to
facilitate the positive identification by health professionals and regulatory
agency personnel of prescription drugs marketed in the United States and
Canada; and
`(ii) update the materials described under clause (i) quarterly and when
a new permitted country is designated by the Secretary;
`(C) develop and publish educational materials to health professionals and
consumers identify and report cases of counterfeit drugs subject to subsection
(b);
`(D) develop and publish secure business practice guidelines for the sale
and distribution of such drugs in cooperation with members of a drug supply
chain; and
`(E) in cooperation with the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy,
develop and publish revised model rules for licensure of drug wholesalers
for adoption by the States.'.
SEC. 16. CONFORMING AMENDMENTS.
(a) Section 1006 of the Controlled Substances Import and Export Act (21 U.S.C.
956) is repealed.
(b) The Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (21 U.S.C. 301 et seq.) is amended--
(A) by striking `section 804' and inserting `subchapter B of chapter VIII';
and
(B) by striking `such section' each place it appears and inserting `that
subchapter';
(2) in section 801(d)(1), by striking `section 804' and inserting `subchapter
B'; and
(3) by striking section 804.
END