S604

The New York State Senate passed S604, a bill to amend the Public Health Law relating to prescription drug importation, by a vote of 57-5 on Calendar Number 77. The measure, sponsored by Sen. Skoufis, faced a procedural challenge when Sen. Murray proposed an amendment to add xylazine—a veterinary tranquilizer increasingly found in illegal opioids—to the state's list of Schedule 1 controlled substances. Acting President Bailey ruled the amendment nongermane to the underlying bill. Sen. Murray appealed the ruling, arguing the amendment was germane because both the bill and amendment address drug importation and control. Murray warned that xylazine, known on the streets as "Tranq," poses a severe public health threat, citing a nearly 20-fold increase in xylazine-involved overdose deaths from 2015 to 2020 and noting that 15 percent of overdose deaths in Suffolk County in 2023 involved the drug. Unlike opioids, xylazine's effects cannot be reversed by naloxone, and the drug can cause dramatic drops in blood pressure, slowed breathing, and necrotic skin ulcers that may lead to amputation. A show of hands vote upheld the presiding officer's ruling 20-0, and the amendment was not adopted. The bill was then moved to the noncontroversial calendar and passed with five senators voting in opposition: Borrello, Gallivan, Lanza, Oberacker, and Stec.

The New York State Senate passed legislation Tuesday establishing a drug importation program designed to reduce prescription costs for state residents. Senate Print 604, sponsored by Sen. Skoufis, cleared the chamber 57-5 on a roll call vote. The measure would allow the state to import prescription drugs primarily from Canada at prices at least 50 percent lower than U.S. market rates, according to statements citing Florida health officials. The program would be cost-neutral to taxpayers, with operational funding derived from wholesaler fees. Skoufis noted that seven states have pending similar importation programs awaiting federal approval and emphasized bipartisan support for the concept, citing 2003 federal enabling legislation signed by President George W. Bush and Trump administration rule-making that established the federal framework. During floor debate, Sen. Ashby questioned implementation details, including whether the Department of Health had been consulted and whether Canada had expressed concerns about supply capacity. Skoufis acknowledged Canada has expressed some reservations about importation programs but said the state's priority must be protecting New Yorkers. Five senators voted against the bill: Borrello, Gallivan, Lanza, Stec, and Walczyk.