At its semiannual policy meeting this month the American Medical Association will consider endorsing a proposal that will allow Americans to purchase medicine from Canada in person as a solution to lowering prescription drug prices, according to a STAT news report.
The proposal first was explored at an AMA meeting last year and comes as the Trump administration mulls personal importation as a solution to the high cost of prescription drugs in the U.S.
The AMA Council on Medical Services said in a report recommending the proposal that the "AMA would only support legislation that allows for the personal purchase and importation of prescription drugs obtained directly from a licensed Canadian pharmacy, provided such drugs are for personal use and of a limited quantity."
The council did not support online ordering.
While the council said that importing drugs from Canada is not a sustainable, long-term solution to addressing the unaffordability of some prescription drugs, it said the practice may offer some patients "relief in the meantime."