Doug Duncan Turns His Back on Economic Growth for Political Gain, says Maryland Think Tank

27 February 2006

Responding to Montgomery County Executive Douglas Duncan's announcement of a lawsuit against the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on importation, Christopher Summers, President of the Maryland Public Policy Institute, issued the following statement:

"Doug Duncan's recent announcement that he is suing FDA over the issue of foreign drug importation is a slap in the face to Maryland's growing biotechnology industry, most of which is concentrated in Montgomery County. Throughout Duncan's tenure he has been happy to benefit from the strong growth, increased jobs, and enhanced revenues that biotech provides, unfortunately as he runs for governor he has turned his back on this dynamic industry.

In its effort to uphold federal law, which prohibits foreign drug importation, the FDA has repeatedly refused to grant waivers that would open our safe, domestic drug supply to the sub-potent, super-potent, and counterfeit drugs that are so prevalent on the international market. Last year a federal court threw out a nearly identical suit filed by the state of Vermont. Yet, Doug Duncan feels it is necessary to waste county resources on this quixotic venture. Not only would legalizing importation increase the threat to consumers across Maryland, but it would inhibit the economic incentive for Maryland's biotech industry to invest in the research and development of new discoveries.

Coming in the middle of his quest for the Democratic gubernatorial nomination, Duncan's lawsuit raises some very interesting questions about whether he believes in this policy or is using the lawsuit as a stunt to garner publicity. Unfortunately, the unintended consequences of his actions, whether it causes a biotech company to reexamine its commitment to Maryland or it is a senior who orders drugs from a bogus pharmacy Web site, the repercussions are very real. Duncan's election year ploy is hollower than the false promise of importation and any consideration of this failed policy will have serious effects well beyond the duration of his campaign."

The Maryland Public Policy Institute is a 501 (C) (3) nonpartisan public policy research and education organization that focuses on Maryland public policy issues.

Source: prnewswire

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