There is strong support for other government policies that aim to lower prescription drug prices. In April 2005, a majority (77%) of the public supported the idea of Congress allowing Americans to buy prescription drugs from pharmacies in Canada; fewer than two in ten (17%) opposed this proposal. These findings have been consistent since August 2004.

In the same period, seven in ten (70%) adults viewed importation as a way to make medicines more affordable without sacrificing safety and quality; one-quarter (24%) disagreed with this view. Nearly two-thirds (65%) did not think importing drugs from Canada would expose Americans to unsafe medications, though three in ten (30%) believed imported drugs may pose a safety risk.

The argument that importing drugs from Canada will lead drug companies to do less research and development did not resonate with most Americans in April 2005 (70% disagreed with this argument; just over one-quarter (26%) agreed).