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Federal Judge Overturns Maine Law Allowing Prescription Drug Imports

A federal judge has overturned Maine’s first-in-the-nation law allowing residents to purchase medication by mail from other countries.

U.S. Chief District Judge Nancy Torresen ruled Monday that Maine infringed on the federal government’s established regulatory authority by allowing drug importation at the state level,according to the Bangor Daily News, which reports that Torresen's decision nullifies the law, though the state could appeal.

Torresen’s ruling comes in response to a lawsuit filed a year ago by several pharmacy groups challenging the law.  The groups argued that the 2013 law jeopardizes safety.