Just like in any conflict, combatants in the impending drug war on Capitol Hill should look to veterans for wisdom.

This month, Sen. Olympia Snowe has become a standard-bearer for Congress’ renewed examination of the prescription drug costs. Snowe is pushing the battle on two fronts: she is insisting that the government be allowed to negotiate Medicare drug prices, and relaxing drug importation laws.

Essentially, the senator and several of her colleagues are advocating for opening the pharmaceutical industry to free-market forces, since regulation has led the U.S. to have some of the highest prescription prices in the world.

Her plans face a staunch opponent. On Thursday, The New York Times reported a recent conclave of the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America steeled the industry’s resolve to block such efforts, and encourage President George W. Bush to veto legislation if it reaches the Oval Office.

Pharmaceutical companies already spend $100 million annually to lobby Congress, the Times reported, even before this new campaign. The pharmaceutical industry’s recruitment of health care professionals and politicians is legendary for its largess.

Government is viewed as its protectorate, leading to comments like Rep. Frank Pallone’s, D-N.J., who told the Times the 2003 Medicare law prohibiting government negotiation was “essentially written by the drug industry,” and “The American taxpayer is paying the price.”

All rhetoric aside, evidence supporting deregulation is scarce. Both pharmaceutical lobbyists and the Congressional Budget Office agree relaxing drug importation or allowing negotiation aren’t panaceas, according to The Wall Street Journal.

Allowing drug importation would save taxpayers $40 billion over 10 years – or 1 percent – according to a CBO study. Drug makers strongly fear Medicare negotiations are simply price controls, while government officials are wary of believing Medicare can negotiate better deals, the Journal said.

Spotty evidence and these troop movements by Congress and the drug companies will likely result in a war of attrition on prescription drug costs. The U.S. is already involved in one intractable conflict, it does not need another, especially with a potential solution readily available.

The federal Veterans Administration offers prescription drugs to 4.4 million people. It’s list of dispensed medications is smaller – about one-third of Medicare’s – but the VA is allowed to negotiate with drug companies for lower prices.

A VA spokesman told the Journal that bargaining saved the agency $245 million in 2005. The VA also saves from its network of sponsored pharmacies, health care professionals and distribution systems. By comparison, Medicare relies on private pharmacies as dispensaries.

Adapting the successful VA model to Medicare – including opening negotiations – could provide an avenue for federal lawmakers to avoid a protracted conflict with the drug lobby. While we applaud Snowe’s vigor, it’s unclear this is a battle the powerful senator from Maine can help win.