Instead, the company decided its first step had to be importing medicines and creating its own Russian marketing company to sell them.

Although the government is permitted to import food, medicines and other urgently needed commodities, it has not done so.

It is becoming easier to import traditional medicines that originate in China.

The embargo has shut down what once was the world's second leading oil exporter, leaving it without funds to import medicines it needs.

Please see more information on importing medicines into Japan.

"I absolutely am committed to doing that," so Americans can safely import lower-cost medicines, he said.

The Bush administration and drug industry have opposed bills that would make it easier for pharmacists, wholesalers and individuals to import medicines.

They imported medicines with the foreign currency earned from exporting seafood and crushed bones.

Too many countries need to import low-cost medicines.

The United States has stood in the way of an agreement, and is even pressuring some countries to give up the right to import generic medicines.