posted on October 17, 2004 05:28:03 PM newCanada deals blow to cheap US drug imports
By Bernard Simon in Toronto Published: October 17 2004 21:47 | Last updated: October 17 2004 21:47
More than 30 Canadian internet pharmacies have decided not to accept bulk orders of prescription drugs from US states and municipalities.
The move delivers a potentially serious setback to US politicians most notably Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry campaigning to give Americans easier access to cheap drugs from Canada.
Mr Kerry has argued that opening the US to Canadian imports could help lower the costs of prescription drugs for elderly Americans. Such reimportation has become one of the points of difference between him and President George W. Bush during the election campaign.
But growing concern in Canada that growing exports to the US could lead to rising prices and shortages north of the border has prompted the Canadian International Pharmacy Association (Cipa), whose members include several of the biggest internet and mail-order drugstores, to act. “"We don't want to give Americans the impression that we have unlimited supply for them to tap into on a commercial basis,"” said David Mackay, the association's executive director.
Americans, he added, “can't get everything from Canada. We can't be your complete drugstore”.
Prescription drug prices are significantly lower in Canada than the US, because of price controls and bulk buying by the 10 provinces.
Individual Americans have crossed the border for years to buy cheap medicines, but the internet and spiralling healthcare costs in the US have led to a wider movement for states and cities to source the drugs they need from Canada.
Several states, such as Minnesota and New Hampshire, have set up websites directing residents to approved pharmacies in Canada. Cipa members would continue to service these customers, Mr Mackay said, but would not deal with states such as Illinois and Wisconsin that have proposed turning over their entire supply system to a Canadian internet pharmacy.
Cipa members make up about a quarter of the roughly 150 internet pharmacies operating in Canada, raising the question whether others will follow its lead. Mr Mackay said discussion had been heated at an all-day meeting of Cipa last month at which the new policy was approved.
With pharmaceutical manufacturers seeking to restrict supplies and the US Congressional Budget Office recently saying that reimportation from Canada would have a “negligible” impact on US drugs spending, the internet pharmacies have already had difficulty meeting demand from south of the border.
Several have set up alliances with pharmacies in other countries. A sharp rise in the Canadian dollar has also squeezed profits.
Ujjal Dosanjh, Canada's health minister, said over the weekend that he was not concerned “at this point” either about domestic shortages or the safety of Canadian medicines.
Still, public opinion appears to be gradually turning against the online operators.
Canadian Treatment Action Council, a lobby group representing pharmacists and patients, is due to speak out today against drug exports to the US.
[ edited by Linda_K on Oct 17, 2004 05:31 PM ]
posted on October 17, 2004 06:56:38 PM new
I bet, linduh, you're just happy as a lark knowing seniors will have an even harder time affording their meds!
posted on October 17, 2004 07:36:53 PM new
crowfarm, Canada is looking out for and taking care of its people. Our government under the Bush/Cheney Gang sure as hell doesn't take care of our people. Like I have said before the shortage of vaccine makers has been a known problem for the entire Bush/Cheney term. What did Bush/Cheney do about this problem the answer is NOTHING but throw money at the greedy drug companies. I WILL BE GLAD TO BET ANY ILL BUSH/CHENEY SUPPORTER THAT CHENEY GETS A FLU SHOT!!!!
Once again yet another Bush/Cheney weak plan with no backup. I believe there will be more dead Americans because of Flu than the number of dead troops in Iraq. Once again Americans DIE because of a weak plan with no backup from Bush/Cheney. Leaders like this don't deserve another 4 years.
posted on October 17, 2004 07:39:28 PM new
Isn't it cute how "twelve" always shows up to defend linda who is too chicken to answer my posts. Oh, my, you big strong brute, defending linda that way !!! Is it her whip or her orange tan that turns you on?
So you, twelve, give a ship what I think because you answer my posts and throw out a death wish....how charming and no wonder you and the hostile vicious linda get along sooooooo well.
posted on October 17, 2004 07:54:35 PM new
Soon the Canadian Government will stop allowing pharmacies to send medicine to the US. The US citizens are depleating their surplus so soon they won't have enough drugs to take care of their citizens.
In our news paper there was an article about drugs confiscated from Canada and after looking through the drugs they found out that there were sent from the Bahamas through Canada. Now don't you think that is dangerous. This is a great way for the terriorists to get many citizens. Remember Jonestown? It can be like the cult that Jim Jones ran. Poison them all. This isn't just a new problem that we have as it has been this way for many years. Now if anyone knows why didn't Clinton follow thru with his health care plan that he promised the US citizens when elected President. I think that is one reason he was elected but when push came to shove he put it on the back burner never to stir it again. So blame whomever you want it has been going on for quite some time.
Yes and Cheney would get a flu shot because of his heart trouble. In case you missed it Bush has said he wasn't going to get one.
posted on October 17, 2004 08:19:13 PM new
Gee twelve you not only deliver death threats but stupidity as well. You say, "People need to provide for themselves... that is the true American way... "
Did you REALLY build the road in front of your house by YOURSELF? WOW!
Do you really grow all your own food and inspect it for disease before you eat it. Hunt your own meat?
And I assume you don't license or register your car...why should you...you build your own roads, tunnels, bridges.
Did you really home school all your children and write your own text books for them.
When someone breaks into your house I assume you'll handle the investigation yourself and not call the police.
When you're in a car accident will you crawl to the nearest hospital? Or just lay there and die?
Why aren't YOU in Iraq instead of making someone fight for you?
Oh, I almost forgot, bush people are yellow-belled cowards like their leader.
Good LORD, Man! Can't you do anything for yourself?
posted on October 17, 2004 08:26:43 PM new
I have been to Iraq... have you crowfart?
Also those are services that my taxes pay for... health care is not something my taxes pay for, well except for those who use public health... oh so that is you... you a bum crowfart sponging off the government?
That the reason you so unhappy the government isn't "giving" you something that you are too lazy to work for...
Must suck to be you...
Oh and someone as dumbassed as you, doesn't know the difference between asp and ass, ship and sh!t... and they allow you to vote?
I thought you had to be competent to register... Mn must not have any such law... mores the pity... bet your sad Gov Jesse isn't running...
posted on October 17, 2004 08:35:58 PM new
You still crying about a flu shot peepa?
Get over it, there is not enough, unless you fall into one of the categories that are prioritized you're not going to get one... move on... life will go on...
Of course had you served your country in the military, you may of had an opporuntity to get a shot... but sounds like you haven't...
But the government is not responsible for getting you a flu shot...
posted on October 17, 2004 08:39:22 PM new
"Twelve" isn't it funny that "linda" started this thread but only you are here to defend it.
And when you mean "you are" it's spelled you're NOT your.
AND, you said,"People need to provide for themselves... that is the true American way... "
You NEVER said anything about taxes and what they provide for.
What did you do in Iraq...turn tricks? you haven't the guts to do anything else. Besides you were never in Iraq.
AND, thank you for letting me know the difference between asp and ass....now if SOMONE could learn the difference between Martin Luther and Martin Luther King, Jr................. or your and you're.....
I learned you are a yellow-bellied ass not asp. Scared to death of me
posted on October 17, 2004 09:55:34 PM new
I hate to actually be on topic here but there is something that is overlooked in the article.
US pharmacuetical companies a few months ago told Candian pharmacies that they were going to start limiting their supply availability is they saw unexplained spikes in purchasing.
Now right now, that is not illegal because of the ban on re-importation, however, if that ban was lifted, as Kerry states he will do, then that would be considered interference in free trade.
~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~
If it's really "common" sense, why do so few people actually have it?
posted on October 18, 2004 05:24:37 AM new
That would be hard to prove fenix, all they would have to do is cut production to a level that coincides with US demand...
posted on October 18, 2004 09:16:57 AM new
Twelve - it's much easier to prove when they made an open threat. Threat....Fulfillment of Threat. That's a pretty straight line to follow
~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~
If it's really "common" sense, why do so few people actually have it?
posted on October 18, 2004 11:33:06 AM new
Twelvepole, you continual to prove to all what a DUMB HORSES BEHIND YOU ARE. Simply put your comments are thoughtless and a waste of peoples time. The more you post just shows how little you know and understand.
Twelveploe said these words, "You still crying about a flu shot peepa?"
Twelvepole went onto say these words, "Get over it, there is not enough,(FLU SHOTS) unless you fall into one of the categories that are prioritized you're not going to get one... move on... life will go on"
HEY TWELVETOES, You are right "life will go on" but not for all the American people that will die because of no flu vaccine. This Flu mess is another example of the "HARD JOB" your failed leader is doing TO the American people.
posted on October 18, 2004 12:08:16 PM new
::This Flu mess is another example of the "HARD JOB" your failed leader is doing TO the American people. ::
Now that you have said this about 102 times and I hve continuously poiinted out that it IS NOT THE GOVERNMENTS RESPONSIBILITY why don't you either put up or shut up. Find the aspect of US law that states that the federal government bears the responsibility for attaining and distributing flu vaccines for the nation or grow up, and get off this stint because it's making you look foolish continuing to assert something that has no basis in reality.
~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~
If it's really "common" sense, why do so few people actually have it?
[ edited by fenix03 on Oct 18, 2004 12:09 PM ]
posted on October 18, 2004 01:17:24 PM new
Whether we buy drugs in Canada or not, the point remains that something needs to be done about the marketing and advertising efforts that drug manufacturers use. If you ban the advertising these companies use, you will cut out a huge expense from their budgets that can be used to lower the cost of medications. We also need leadership that will represent the people interests, not that of the drug companies. When Bush put a cap on Medicare's ability to purchase medications in bulk or negotiate prices with manufacturers, he sent a clear message. He is in the pockets of Drug Companies.
I always thought this government was founded by the people for the people, not the fascists for big industry.
posted on October 18, 2004 01:39:32 PM new "I always thought this government was founded by the people for the people, not the fascists for big industry."
That is why providing flu shots is the ethical responsibility of our government and in my opinion that responsibility transcends a "legal mandate". What kind of government would see a flu epidemic capable of killing forty thousand chronically ill, young and elderly people and say, screw it. Let the old farts, children and chronically ill people die -- after all, we are not "mandated" to provide such assistance.? What kind of government would operate like that?
posted on October 18, 2004 02:04:45 PM new
Well said Rusty and Helen!! And basic economics says to me, the healthier the people, the more taxes you get to collect and less you need to spend on health care.
posted on October 18, 2004 02:46:30 PM new
Fenix03,This Flu mess is another example of the "HARD JOB" your failed leader is doing TO the American people.
Fenix03, with you and others like you being part of the Bush/Cheney lie machine. I realize you can not except the TRUTH. The TRUTH is the problem of GREEDY DRUG COMPANIES not willing to make low profit vaccine has been around the entire term of your failed leader. WHAT DID YOUR FAILED LEADER DO ABOUT THIS PROBLEM? NOTHING, NOTHING AND MORE NOTHING.
Your failed leader had a choice of working for the American people or siding with the GREEDY DRUG COMPANIES. WE ALL KNOW WHAT CHOICE BUSH MADE.
Now because of Bush's choice and bad planing. Americans young and old are going to DIE THIS WINTER.
FENIX03 uses these words "COMMON SENSE" and Bush uses these words "THE FIRST RESPONSIBILITY OF THE PRESIDENT IS TO PROTECT ITS PEOPLE". You can both tell those words to the Americans that will become sick or die unnecessarily this winter.
posted on October 18, 2004 03:26:51 PM new
I think the bottom line here, whether you are liberal, conservative, young, old, etc. is that people are going to die this winter because a chain of events that could have been avoided under proper leadership in this country. When innocent victims are lost because our government isn't willing to provide the necessary protection (I believe this falls under Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness) then we have to ask who is responsible. When a company fails to prepare for the future, that individual is usually the CEO of the company. When it is our United States Government that person is George W. Bush, the selected President.
posted on October 18, 2004 05:05:59 PM new
I have never taken a flu shot and when i was living in New Orleans,i got the flu every year and i survived.
Chicken soup really works with fresh carrots and napa cabbage.
Now i am in a different city ,whenever i sense scratchiness in my throat,i take anti-oxidant pills every few hours.I have not had a flu since i moved to houston .
-sig file -------Life is one big happy 'All You Can Eat' buffet .
posted on October 18, 2004 05:15:18 PM new
Flu viruses are grouped into 3 categories, A, B & C. You've probably been fortunate enough to contract those in category B or--most likely--C.
It is the flu viruses in the A category that are the real killers and responsible for the major pandemics.
____________________
"Bad temper is its own scourge. Few things are more bitter than to feel bitter. A man's venom poisons himself more than his victim." --Charles Buxton
posted on October 18, 2004 05:23:45 PM new
The people who cut our trees down have a 10 year old daughter who has leukemia. She has finished chemotherapy...I think. They will be out Thursday so I'll find out if she was able to get the flu shot. It's this kind of case that chicken soup won't help that is so tragic.
posted on October 18, 2004 05:25:32 PM new
stopwhining- i seriously doubt that you contracted a flu, but rather a serious cold. chicken soup may help you feel better from a cold, but the flu is a whole other story entirely. Even if it was a form of flu, you can take comfort that you contracted something that wasn't as serious as others encounter. When you are frail or a young child, you are more likely to contract a cold or flu, and it can take longer to recover from it at these ages.
that turns you on?
