Canadians May Ban Drug Exports To U.S.Posting Date: 01/24/2005 Millions of Americans have figured out a way to save big bucks on prescription drugs. A click of a computer mouse allows access to Canadian online pharmacies with prices that run 30 to 50 percent lower than in the U.S. A number of municipalities and even some states have also taken advantage of lower prices in Canada for their employee health plans. That?s because high drug bills have been straining city and state health care budgets for years. Canada has a highly regulated drug approval and distribution system. As a result, prescription drugs in Canada are at least as safe as those in the U.S., despite their lower cost. As in most other countries, except the U.S., drug approval in Canada also entails establishing the price at which a medication can be sold. The pharmaceutical industry hates the idea of Americans saving money by shopping online in Canada. Drug companies maintain that research and development of new medications depend upon the profits generated by free-market pricing in the U.S. The FDA is also strongly opposed to importation. The agency maintains that it is not safe to purchase drugs from Canada. According to FDA regulations, it is illegal for citizens to import prescription drugs. Despite the law, though, the FDA and the U.S. Customs Service have been reluctant to bust grannies trying to save money on cholesterol medicine or high blood pressure pills. Congress has even considered legalizing the practice. It was a hot-button issue during the past election. Even if U.S. lawmakers were to make importation easier for Americans, the Canadian government is preparing to shut the trade down. After President Bush visited Canada, the health authorities there proposed changes that would make it virtually impossible for Americans to buy their drugs online from Canada. People who wanted to buy medicine north of the border would have to travel to Related Stories |
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