[Winona Online Democracy] I am now reading a new book called "the 2% solution" which deals with the impossible to solve problems we have with medicare,education, and other hot button issues. It seems to be a neutral solution that both parties could use or agree upon. I'll get it back to the library in about a week and you can look for it. I'll be interested in what you think of the solutions proposed. ----- Original Message ----- From: "Paul Double" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: "Online Democracy" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sent: Tuesday, April 27, 2004 17:34 Subject: FW: [Winona] Anti Dumping Laws
> [Winona Online Democracy] > > ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---- Roy and others, My thought is that the Attorney General of Minnesota could file a law suit against the U.S. Government claiming that because prices in Canada are cheaper then the drug companies must be dumping drugs on the Canadian market and other export markets and Minnesota consumers are hurt by the practice. The drug company's past arguments have been they are cost shifting which has been and still is one of the major problems in the healthcare industry today for Minnesota consumers. In an effort to reduce U.S. made drug prices the drug companies would be forced to produce production costs and market data that would support their position that they are not dumping product at lower prices on their export sales thus forcing them to either stop the dumping by raising export prices or to lower U.S. prices as part of a settlement. Washington would be forced to enforce the dumping laws on the the industry they are currently protecting. Minnesota may even find some relief from the Washington crowd in reimportation using the Anti-Dumping Laws as a way to justify the feds lack of enforcement on dumping. It could lead to the Federal Trade Commission to jump in with the Sherman Anti-Trust Act and a few other laws to put the industry's feet to the fire. Using the anti dumping laws may be a way to force fair prices in the U.S.. The feds have the tools to lower prices without price controls they just need to step up to the plate and remember they hold lots of big sticks to get the job done. PS if the drug companies shipped their production overseas then all drugs would be imported and the argument against re-importation would be hard to justify. Paul Double [EMAIL PROTECTED] ----- Original Message ----- From: Paul Double <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: Online Democracy <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sent: Tuesday, April 27, 2004 9:30 AM Subject: [Winona] Anti Dumping Laws [Winona Online Democracy] Anti-dumping laws are aimed at imports priced at less than the cost in the home market or less than the cost of production. Their imposition is extremely complex and political, and their chief results are often higher prices for all consumers. But in the case of drugs, I'm sure you do not mean that we should invoke the laws against Canada for its cheaper prices? The success of such an action, although extremely unlikely, could lead to even higher prices for drugs than exist now. Since the American drug companies do not approve of the lower prices Canada is using, how would they fit in? The laws are aimed at foreign countries, not at the home country of production. There are laws (not anti-dumping) concerning sending material overseas and then reselling at lower prices than would exist in the home market otherwise, but these hardly apply in the drug situation. Unless I'm missing something in your suggestion, I'd say that anti-dumping laws are simply not applicable and that if they were, we'd be worse off. Roy Nasstrom Winona _____ Since the pharmaceutical industry is selling American made drugs in other counties below domestic wholesale prices would that not be a violation of anti dumping laws??? If the tobacco lawyers and Attorney General could channel there interest in this approach maybe Minnesota could get dumped on and local pharmacist be provided with wholesale prices that compete with the global competition. What are the ground rules for Anti-Dumping trade practices and penalties? Paul Double [EMAIL PROTECTED] _____ _______________________________________________ This message was posted to Winona Online Democracy All messages must be signed by the senders actual name. No commercial solicitations are allowed on this list. To manage your subscription or view the message archives, please visit http://mapnp.mnforum.org/mailman/listinfo/winona Any problems or suggestions can be directed to mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] If you want help on how to contact elected officials, go to the Contact page at http://www.winonaonlinedemocracy.org ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---- > _______________________________________________ > This message was posted to Winona Online Democracy > All messages must be signed by the senders actual name. > No commercial solicitations are allowed on this list. > To manage your subscription or view the message archives, please visit > http://mapnp.mnforum.org/mailman/listinfo/winona > Any problems or suggestions can be directed to > mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] > If you want help on how to contact elected officials, go to the Contact page at > http://www.winonaonlinedemocracy.org _______________________________________________ This message was posted to Winona Online Democracy All messages must be signed by the senders actual name. No commercial solicitations are allowed on this list. To manage your subscription or view the message archives, please visit http://mapnp.mnforum.org/mailman/listinfo/winona Any problems or suggestions can be directed to mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] If you want help on how to contact elected officials, go to the Contact page at http://www.winonaonlinedemocracy.org
