posted on June 23, 2005 07:59:09 PM new
Canada Aims to Curb Internet Drug Trade
Thu Jun 23, 6:27 PM ET
Canada will soon announce measures aimed at restricting Internet pharmacies from selling mail-order prescription drugs to U.S. consumers, Canada's Health Minister said on Thursday.
Such a move would cut into a $700 million industry that has become increasingly popular with underinsured patients in search of cheaper medicine.
The U.S. government has argued that reimporting U.S.-made drugs from Canada would put consumers at risk because U.S. regulators could not guarantee their safety. The pharmaceutical industry vehemently opposes the practice, which undercuts U.S. sales.
As part of its socialized medical system, the Canadian government sets drug prices that are lower than those charged in the United States.
Various bills have been introduced into Congress to permit the importation of lower-cost prescription drugs from Canada and elsewhere.
Canadian Health Minister Ujjal Dosanjh has been studying options to restrict the practice for at least six months.
"I am concerned and we're acting on it. There will be news soon," Dosanjh said Thursday.
His spokesman, Ken Polk, said the measures under consideration include: limiting the practice of Canadian doctors from signing prescriptions for U.S. patients without examining them in person; prohibiting prescriptions for foreigners who are not present in Canada; and a ban on bulk exports.
A proposal to Prime Minister Paul Martin's cabinet will likely be made next week, officials said.
I wonder if the Canadian Physician that had a Mall space at the Mall of America still has that one? He did a great service to the American Public and I will bet he will return if it becomes law.
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posted on June 23, 2005 10:10:38 PM new
What gets me is the amount of pressure Bush & Co. can put on Canada to protect his beloved drug companies - all at the expense of the American people who can least afford their medicine. And you're right Bear - to think that these drugs are unsafe when many are American made is hysterical at best. Makes me wonder what isn't this man at war against?
posted on June 24, 2005 12:20:09 AM new
kraft, it's not that the drugs are unsafe. It's in the process of "re-importation" that things could get messed up. I saw a news report on this and so far, there is only one company that has quality control measures that meet the standards. They showed how they re-label the bottles and some of the leaflets that come with the drugs (in different languages etc.) for shipment back to the US and other countries.
Dont get me wrong, I am not against drugs being cheaper and I am sure there is a whole lot of politicking going on, too - but shipping them out, and what gets shipped back has to be a concern somewhere? Especially in this day and age.
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[ edited by dblfugger9 on Jun 24, 2005 12:20 AM ]
posted on June 24, 2005 05:59:27 AM new
This is not a Bush thing KD. This has been covered before. I think Canada realizes that if the US citizens keep taking from the Canadian drug supply that there will not be enough for their citizens. I think drug companies are limiting their drugs to Canada. Even if I don't agree with this I understand the Canadian Government in trying to protect their citizens so then can get the medications that they need.
As I stated if a Canadian Physician wants to set up shop in the US and see the US patients then they can get them. I doubt if the Canadian Government is protected from law suits if an American Physician writes a prescription for an American Citizen then goes to Canada, gets the drug and then something happens. They are trying to protect themselves.
What many people don't understand is that there is free medicine in the US if you meet the standards of that company. Most people going to Canada are Senior Citizens, who say they have no money. Well if they don't have money then they can apply to drug companies in the US that offer free medicine if you income is under $25,800. That doesn't include your savings. It is only the amount of income in a total year. Seniors have to be more informed rather than get upset over drug prices.
posted on June 24, 2005 10:55:58 AM new
I understand what you mean, Double, and yes, I'm sure there's repackaging going on and even generic substitutions, but the U.S. makes it sound like you'd be getting third world medicine and that it's risky in comparison to what you'd get in the U.S. That's BS. It's true that our government regulates presciption drug prices. Canada doesn't want people to get soaked like your government does - and I don't mean that as a stab. This whole thing is because of the American drug companies losing money, nothing more.
And Libra, saying there will be a shortage of medicine in Canada because the U.S. will buy all of ours is untrue. There will NEVER be a shortage. Just more propaganda aimed at getting your U.S. dollars back into the hands of the Republicans biggest financial supporter - the drug companies.
posted on June 24, 2005 11:29:59 AM new
That came from your government KD. I did not make that up. Notice it was from your Health Minister. I doubt Bush has any clout in Canada as the Prime Minister and Bush are not good friends.
I think your government should control the store fronts that have opened up so that the canadian citizens are getting good drugs also. I see where they closed down one because of imports from other countries. The countries need safe drugs. What you government says is safe maybe the US doesn't and vise versa.
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posted on June 24, 2005 11:44:48 AM new
KD I read this article when we had the last Canadian Thread but I didn't post it as to start any more problems. But here is where I got that idea. I didn't make it up.
Tue, June 14, 2005
Net pharms: no fix so far
Dosanjh struggling with issue
By STEPHANIE RUBEC, SENIOR POLITICAL REPORTER
OTTAWA -- Health Minister Ujjal Dosanjh says he's still struggling to find a way to clamp down on Internet pharmacies exporting cheap drugs to the U.S. without shutting down the industry.
Dosanjh said he's trying to get a handle on the size of the Internet prescription industry in Canada, and whether there is any threat of a drug shortage before taking action.
"I am extremely worried about this issue," he said. "Hopefully shortly we'll be going to cabinet."
Dosanjh said he wants to set up a drug monitoring system and crack down on the practice of Canadian doctors signing prescriptions for American patients without meeting them.
Canada imports 94% of its prescription drugs and regulates the prices at levels much lower than in the U.S. Internet pharmacies then sell those cheap drugs to Americans, some states legalizing this trade.
Dosanjh is facing tremendous pressure from the pharmaceutical giants who want to block the southern flow of cheap drugs. "We will take whatever measures necessary to protect Canadians," he said, adding one of those could be the ban of bulk drug exports. "But it is absolutely not my intent to kill the industry."
WORTH $1 BILLION
Winnipeg NDP MP Pat Martin estimated that Internet pharmacies are worth $1 billion in Canada, and accused Dosanjh of giving in to the pharmaceutical giants based in Quebec.
"This is breaking down to an issue of West versus big pharma in Quebec," Martin said.
Bloc MP Real Menard harshly criticized Dosanjh for failing to take action against Internet pharmacies a full 18 months after being appointed health minister.
posted on June 24, 2005 12:07:47 PM new
Libra, I wasn't saying you were making it up. I've read the articles too but to think Canada doesn't want the extra money is silly (on the part of the article writers). The U.S. is putting pressure on Canada. In politics, what's released to the public is usually a fluffed up version of what's really happening and this is one example. To think the U.S. doesn't put pressure on us is also silly, imo.
posted on June 24, 2005 01:11:42 PM new
Of course you are correct, Libra. It's the DRUG companies that have threatened to cut back, or charge Canada more, for their drugs IF they keep selling to American's. To deny that is refusing to see what's actually happening.
I just read an article this morning that addressed the concerns about lawsuits with drug importations too. Our FDA can barely handle the load it has now, cannot take on insuring the import drugs have not been contaminated, aren't mislabeled, etc. and so the article addressed who was going to pay the lawsuits that will come about from people who have had any problems with the imported drugs.
But it's been Canada government themselves who are 'listening' to the promised reduction in quanities of drugs they sell to Canada, IF they decide to keep importing them.
And KD no matter how much YOU wish it to be true....this President DOESN'T run the drug companies.
An article that was posted last time we had this discussion showed how if the whole state of Illinois wanted to buy their drugs from Canada....Canada wouldn't have enough to sell them. And that's just ONE state....not all 50. But this is Canada, not the US, who's deciding to 'curb internet drug trade'....not President Bush.
"Whenever the nation is under attack, from within or without, liberals side with the enemy. This is their essence." --Ann Coulter
And why the American Voters chose to RE-elect President Bush to four more years. YES!!!
posted on June 24, 2005 01:48:21 PM new
Regardless who's decision it is to curb Internet Drug Trade from Canada, it will once again stick it to the mid/low income here in the US.. We are ever increasingly becoming a class structured country...but soon the middle class will no longer exist.. it will become two classes the rich and the poor..the haves and the have nots..
I hear you Libra..when you say there is health care and drugs for the poor...or those who can't afford it.. but do you have any idea how many millions fall into the crack between having to much money to qualify them for these programs but not enough to pay for medical care and or expensive drugs they need..without having to make a decision to pay their rent or buy food or pay for medical care instead..
There are huge numbers of Americans who have to face those decisions every day.
So the way I see it, this is just another stick in the eye of middle America who are trying to survive.
By the way.. I have just returned from spending a week in Ontario Canada.. where I attended a function with 250 people, the majority Canadians. I took it upon myself to take a personal survey of all 250 there on the topic of Canada's Health Care system...
Well.. okay.. maybe not all but I did interview 10-15 people from different areas in Canada. I was curious to get first hand information and opinions from them on how they felt about their health care system.
I did hear repeatedly that they all have experienced waits for elective surgeries, and some said that they were frustrated with the controlled limit of doctors. Some thought that private insurance would be a good thing.. but, as just that, a choice for those who felt the need to jump the line etc.but everyone I spoke to told me that they have never had any reason to complain about the care they receive or the quality of care and those who needed surgery other than elective, were admitted and received treatment immediately.
On the whole, they see where their system is in need of help in many areas, but wouldn't trade it for our health care which they refer to as "Care determined by how much you can afford" here in the US.
For those of you who think Canada's health care is free.. and you hear that all of the time.. it is not.. they pay through their work and through taxes.. what is true is that their health care system serves the rich and poor alike..with no difference to your income or lack there of..
posted on June 24, 2005 01:53:08 PM new
Linda, saying that the drug companies are resorting to higher drug prices for Canada is called pressure. That pressure is backed by your government by claiming all these risks. The reason your government backs them is because they contribute big bucks to the party in power.
Also, when I say "Bush", I don't always mean him personally - just his government.
posted on June 24, 2005 02:06:57 PM new
LOL....KD...THIS topic addresses CANADA'S aim to curb the drug trade.....NOT this administration's. This is action your OWN country is taking.
Canada is given special 'rates' for the drugs they get from American drug companies. And those prices don't include the cost of R & D of those same drugs.
Now IF you want to also start paying full retail price in Canada, rather than the reduced rates you do BECAUSE OF YOUR SOCIALIZED MEDICINE program you have....then that's a whole different subject.
But as I understand it Canada doesn't ONLY buy drugs from American companies... that are regulated...but you buy from other countries too. No one will know what 'mix' they're getting...nor where there drugs ACTUALLY came from. Our FDA will have NO SAY over any part of your country's way of handling these drugs. And all drug companies here are responsible for any lawsuits that come about because of problems these drugs may cause.
Here is but one letter, addressed to our Congress that just asks them to THINK about what some of the consequences of importing drugs from other countries might bring to our own medical practioners here in America.
Buying drugs from Canada....then would open up the whole world....soon we wouldn't JUST be buying from your country....there would be many countries who have different quality control regulations over their own systems.
posted on June 24, 2005 02:40:29 PM new
Maggie, where in Ontario did you go? I agree with everyone's assessment of the health system here. It's not utopia but it's fair.
Linda, Canada's aim to curb the "internet drug trade" is because the U.S. is putting pressure on us to do so. Think about it Linda, why else would Canada do this?
posted on June 24, 2005 03:22:09 PM new
Krafty, I spent a couple of days in Keswick, North of Toronto and then 4 days in London.
Stayed at the Residence Inn Marriott in London and it was marvelous! Had such a good time and even the weather co-operated, it was cool and even chilly in the evenings..well .. chilly for me being used to the heat here in MS.
posted on June 24, 2005 03:34:32 PM new
No way! I'm in London, Maggie. I could have picked you up and we could've cruised the drag. You'll have to let me know if you come this way again.
posted on June 24, 2005 03:43:38 PM new
OMG.. I didn't know you lived in London, Krafty! What a small world! Well, I did get to see quite a bit of London, mostly down town since we got lost at least 3 times! Oh, and I had a wonderful dinner at the Swiss Chalet one evening..yummm...and spent an afternoon at Fanshawe Park..we may even have mutual friends in London! Maggie
posted on June 24, 2005 04:11:15 PM new
edited as I posted in wrong thread.....sorry
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KD, it's YOUR government that's trying to save it's own hide. If they don't do as the drug companies request....then your government won't be getting the special deals it now enjoys.
Our President won't be making this decision....your government officials will be the ones doing so.
posted on June 24, 2005 04:21:28 PM new
Linda_k, what does your long raging rant about terrorism and people dying in a flood in China possibly have to do with this topic on Canadian drugs or have you been dipping into a supply of them??
posted on June 24, 2005 04:36:06 PM new
Linda, since when did Canada get special deals on drugs? Your President is encouraging false information about the quality of our drugs compared to yours to help the drug industry who expects favours from this administration. I don't know how else to word it.
I wish I had've known, Maggie. Sounds like you had fun without my help anyway.
posted on June 24, 2005 04:37:16 PM new
Thanks Kiara! I really did enjoy my trip to Canada.
I have been reading and catching up on the threads posted while I was gone, and I couldn't help noticing how your posts have an amazing affect on a couple of other posters here on the RT..you seem to have an uncanny ability to turn them into mad, raving, frothing at the mouth, lunatics! How do you do it!
Edited for spelling error..
[ edited by maggiemuggins on Jun 24, 2005 04:38 PM ]
posted on June 24, 2005 09:25:04 PM new
maggie you sure do make it a day on the Vendio board. I had to chuckle when you said [I]By the way.. I have just returned from spending a week in Ontario Canada.. where I attended a function with 250 people, the majority Canadians. I took it upon myself to take a personal survey of all 250 there on the topic of Canada's Health Care system...
Well.. okay.. maybe not all but I did interview 10-15 people from different areas in Canada. I was curious to get first hand information and opinions from them on how they felt about their health care system[/i]
I think we all needed that chuckle that you gave us.
Now back to the subject. If you had read it all it is the Canadian Officials that are questioning the Canadian Pharmacists because Canadian Physicians do not see the patient first hand and they OK that prescription. They are taking the word of a US Physician and that is wrong.
Now the Canadian Physician that took up
mall space at the Mall of America did see
the patient first hand and he wrote the prescription. I think that is okay.
BTW if you check Canadian Pharmacies I don't know which one and not the one that was banned, they get their drugs from the UK, Brazil and Australia. Some brands of medicine that you buy in the US are not the same as in Canada. The Canadian ones are lacking some ingredient in their heart medicine drug. So does that make it safe for the US patients. Or better yet does it make it safe for the Canadian Patients.
Well Linda they will never admit that their health care needs improvement and that it is okay for US citizens to deplete their drugs. I can understand that they don't want Canada to get a bad name. Just remember when the law suits start who is responsible? There are some in US District courts now. It is against US Law to buy prescriptions drugs out side of the US. Now what would happen if they enforce this. Who if something happens while taking these prescriptions will be responsible. The Patient, their attending Physician, The Canadian Physician, the Canadian Pharmacists. Since most everyone thinks that the US citizens are sue happy, will Canada be responsible and end up paying the multimillion dollar law suits? or will it trickle back to the Canadian Pharmacists.
To the posters from Canada. Do you blame your Prime Minister for everything?
95 degrees here today and now at 11:30 it is still 85.
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posted on June 24, 2005 09:36:59 PM new
What will you say when citizens from Canada tries to get medication and there is none for them? Of course you probably will say the US has taken all our drugs. That is what your government is trying to stop. If they can't stop that then I would think they would up the price so that it won't deplete your drug supply. The Canadian population will then end up paying higher taxes or what ever they have to pay to fund their National Health Care or your National Health Care will vanish.
