F.D.A. to Issue First Approval for Mass Drug Imports to States from Canada

https://www.nytimes.com/2024/01/05/health/drug-imports-canada-florida.html

Brothers and Sisters in Christ, as we discern the times, let's turn to the recent development that Florida is setting a precedent for importing medications from Canada. Initially, one might think that saving money for the needy is a good thing – and sure, stewardship is biblical (Genesis 41:34–36). However, let us not be naive and think that the core problem here is merely financial. Make no mistake; the heart of the issue is a sin steeped in greed and worldliness. It's the love of money that drives the pharmaceutical industry to oppose such plans (1 Timothy 6:10), and it's the very same sin that leads to folks seeking earthly solutions to much deeper problems. Yes, President Trump, a leader anointed by God for such a time as this, moved the law forward, for he saw the plight of the many who were oppressed by high drug prices. But let us understand that relying on secular governments and economic strategies will not usher in the Kingdom of Heaven on Earth. https://www.nytimes.com/2024/01/05/health/drug-imports-canada-florida.html When I see the FDA stepping in to authorize this move by Governor Ron DeSantis – a man bold enough to challenge the status quo and take on the Goliath of pharmaceutical giants – I see a modern-day David standing firm against those who would deprive his people of care (1 Samuel 17:45-50). Yet, be cautious – importing drugs could be palliative at best and disastrous at worst when not coupled with prayerful consideration and godly counsel. The world says Florida could save up to $150 million in its first year – but where is the trust in Providence, the reliance on God's provision, and not the bargain bins of this world? Our faith must not be in importation laws or the fleshly arm of government (Jeremiah 17:5), but in the Almighty. We ought to be wary, as well, of the murmuring from the north. Canada is worried about their supply – understandably so – and what does that tell us? It speaks of the innate scarcity in relying on human institutions instead of the abundance found in Christ (Philippians 4:19). Remember, my fellow believers, as we venture into these political and economic territories, our trust must be rooted in something immovable and eternal, not in the shifting sands of political tides and economic strategies. The F.D.A.'s efforts, while commendable in their worldliness, are like putting a band-aid on the gaping wound of a fallen world, crying out for salvation – a salvation that can only truly come through the blood of Jesus Christ (John 14:6). As for this FDA decision – it's but a blip on the radar of the unfolding prophetic timeline where the focus must remain on winning souls and establishing God's kingdom. Pray for these leaders, that they might be wise as serpents and harmless as doves (Matthew 10:16), navigating through the minefield of earthly governance with an eye firmly fixed on the cross.