Federal inaction

Allowing patients to buy medication from other countries with strict drug standards, such as Canada, is an idea that has long been floated in Washington by lawmakers of both parties. But each time, it has been blocked by the drug lobby.

President Donald Trump has supported opening up imports, and in his State of the Union speech called drug prices an “injustice” and promised action this year. But it’s still unclear whether his administration will take the importation route. New Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar has favored other steps to increase competition domestically.