Customs to stop seizing low-cost prescription drugs imported from overseas

In a move that cheered buyers of Canadian drugs, U.S. customs officials told members of Congress they will no longer seize prescription drugs that individuals import illegally from other countries.

The new policy, disclosed Tuesday by U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson, D-Fla., ends a controversial practice begun last fall in which the government confiscated or delayed about 40,000 individual medication packages at postal facilities for international mail, including one in Miami serving South Florida.

U.S. law forbids importing drugs from other countries, but the government had looked the other way for years. Then on Nov. 17, agents began intercepting drugs from Canada.

Budget-conscious seniors, who can save half or more on drug prices by buying from outside the country, protested loudly.

Customs officials told members of Congress in an e-mail that as of Monday, agents would no longer handle illegal shipments but would instead pass on information to the Food and Drug Administration.

Read more in the South Florida Sun Sentinel.

Ed:  Hmmm.  Is it mere coincidence that the mid-term elections are just one month away?