Specifically, the move by the group will test the limits of an FDA policy that permits people to import for their personal use unapproved drugs that are legal in other countries. Up to now, buyer's clubs such as People with AIDS have imported nonprescription medications and offered them for sale to people infected with the AIDS virus. This is the first time one of the groups has tried to import prescription medication in bulk. The FDA has opposed bulk distribution of prescription drugs.

The People with AIDS group and other advocates have long complained that the FDA is too slow to approve AIDS drugs. People with AIDS say they do not have time to wait for more tests. But FDA officials argue that they must protect Americans from drugs that could be useless or harmful.