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I’ve reported on this before but here is an article from Canada about their concerns if the US passes legislation allowing bulk importing of drugs from Canada into the US.

PharmaLive: U.S. Congress Threatens Canada’s Prescription Drug Supply

What is interesting to me is the the Canadian Health Minister has remained silent on this issue although in the past he has said that he doen not expect any impact on the Canadian drug supply. Here are some more articles on this mainly from the UK and Canadian press.

• Open Letter to Minister Clement on Cross Border Drug Trade (pdf)
• Canada pharmacists seek ban on drug exports to U.S.

It is interesting that few if any US based media has reported on this. I think this will be a bigger obstacle to overcome than any other. Between Canadian not allowing exporting of drugs to the US in combination with drug companies potentially limiting the amount of drugs that Canadian pharmacies can purchase, I think drug importing is merely a political ploy.

The article rightly states that this will not solve the problem and will likely create more problems. I think this quote summarizes the issue nicely.

“This is an unsustainable quick-fix for the made-in-America problem of high U.S. drug costs,” said Marc Kealey, CEO of the Ontario Pharmacists’ Association. Kealey added, “Congress is telling Americans it’s okay to cherry-pick the benefits of Canada’s regulated drug system and solve a domestic U.S. problem on the backs of Canadians. Canada cannot afford to become America’s medicine cabinet. That threatens the security of our own drug supply and the health and well-being of Canadians.” Poston noted that Canadians have built a drug supply and pricing mechanism that meets Canadian needs. Buying drugs in Canada as a quick fix to high U.S. drug prices is not a solution. U.S. lawmakers should design a system that responds to the needs of Americans instead of jeopardizing Canada’s drug supply.

I couldn’t agree more! The true issue is affordable health insurance with a drug prescription plan for those Americans who are not covered.

If you would like to track the progress of this US legislation I recommend Govtrack.

• GovTrack: S. 251: A bill to amend the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act with respect to the importation of prescription drugs, and for other purposes
• GovTrack: S. 242: A bill to amend the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act with respect to the importation of prescription drugs, and for other purposes
• H.R. 380: To amend the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act with respect to the importation of prescription drugs, and for other purposes.

Technorati Tags: drug imports, drug price, Canadian drug imports

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