WASHINGTON - Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Tommy Thompson today said that flu vaccines manufactured in Germany were safe enough to be used in the United States and that as many as four million doses would soon be available to alleviate the U.S. crisis. Congresswoman Rosa L. DeLauro (Conn.-3), a strong supporter of drug reimportation, issued the following statement in response.

“I am pleased to learn that the Administration is working to alleviate the flu vaccine crisis in our country by allowing for the importation of a vaccine manufactured in Germany. The American people and a majority of the House of Representatives have known for some time that we can import safe and lower priced drugs from other countries.

“Yet today’s announcement begs the question: if it is safe to import prescription drugs during a national crisis, why isn’t the Administration actively working to allow imports permanently?

“It has been over one year since the U.S. House passed legislation allowing for the importation of U.S.- made drugs from overseas. Similar legislation should be put to a vote in the Senate since the Administration acknowledges this is a safe practice.”