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Pingree Bill Seeks to Permit Canadian Drugs

AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) _ U.S. Rep. Chellie Pingree has introduced a bill that would let Americans buy prescription drugs from Canada.

    The Democrat from Maine's 1st Congressional District says that ``it's time the federal government got out of the way'' and let consumers buy the lower-priced drugs.

    Her bill would allow residents to buy prescription drugs from an approved Canadian pharmacy that are dispensed by a licensed pharmacist. Her office says it's identical to a proposal that has been introduced by Republican Sen. John McCain of Arizona and Democratic Sen. Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota.

    Maine lawmakers passed a law in 2013 that allowed residents to import prescription drugs from foreign countries through the mail. But it was struck down by a federal judge in February because he said it violated federal law.