Low Cost Canadian Drugs

The battle over prescription drug prices between Canadian online pharmacies and the FDA

by Ryan McCann, CanadianMedicineMart.com

"I can no longer explain to my 90-year-old mother
why her medications cost more than the same drugs from other countries."
- Trent Lott, Republican, Senator Mississippi and member of the Finance Committee

There is a David and Goliath battle brewing between Canadian pharmacies on the Internet and the FDA. With Americans paying anywhere from 20-80% more for their allergy medications and other prescription drugs, what started as a blip on the political radar screen a year ago, is now front-and-center in an election year.

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A recent study released by consumer group Families USA shows a dramatic increase in prescription drug prices in the United States over the past few years. The study showed that the average cost of the 50 most commonly used drugs rose nearly 10% percent last year, almost three times the rate of inflation. Meanwhile, the pharmaceutical industry continues to pour astronomical amounts of money into the political process through lobbying on Capitol Hill and through enormous campaign contributions - mostly to Republicans and Bush’s presidential campaign.

A number of U.S. states and cities are continuing lobbying efforts to secure federal authorization of Canadian drug purchase plans. Many are proceeding with these plans without government approval. Wisconsin and Minnesota have both created state-sponsored Internet sites that allow residents to use selected Canadian pharmacies at a fraction of the price. The state of California has publicly stated it will create a site by July of 2005 to offer the same to its residents. The Mayor of Springfield, Mass, has publicly declared that he will use Canadian pharmacies for the prescription purchases of all state employees – resulting in an estimated $90 million in annual savings.

On March 10th of this year, Pennsylvania Attorney General Jerry Pappert filed a suit against 13 major drug companies for deceptive pricing and sales practices. The suit accuses the drug companies of creating complex schemes to raise drug prices and capture market share by artificially inflating drug prices, some of which were used by cancer patients and others with life-threatening illnesses.

When William Hubbard, an FDA senior official and a leading critic of Canadian drug importation was asked last year before a Government Reform subcommittee if he could cite one example of an American consumer who had been harmed by a prescription drug purchased on the Canadian market, he stated, "I know of none.”

The most effective drug in the world is useless unless affordable. American consumers are paying too much for their medications. It’s highly disturbing that an estimated twenty-five percent to thirty percent of under or uninsured Americans fail to fill or skip doses of their prescription drugs in order to make their medicines last longer. Allergy medications, and medications for heart conditions, diabetes, cancer and chronic illness can be so expensive that they can’t be afforded. Americans pay among the highest costs of any industrialized nation for their prescription medications. Yet year after year the pharmaceutical industry is one of the most profitable industries in the world earning billions in revenue.

Canadian pharmacies on the Internet are drawing an increasing number of individuals, as well as employers, unions and health plans because the Government of Canada regulates its prescription drug prices on behalf of each and every Canadian; the U.S. does not. These individuals and groups are importing 90-day personal supplies of prescription drugs; drugs they would find at their local drugstore for substantially more. A reputable Canadian pharmacy will only send a drug when a U.S. doctor’s prescription accompanies the order. A Canadian physician and a Canadian pharmacist will also check the prescription for accuracy prior to sending. Some view this as a tremendous benefit since there are now three independent checks in the fulfillment process.

Even though, Health and Human Services Secretary Tommy Thompson has said government approval of importation is "inevitable" the debate still continues. Americans continue to pay too much, and some will die or suffer because they cannot afford the medications prescribed by their doctor. With online Canadian pharmacies, many Americans will save hundreds or thousands per year, making a significant difference in the quality of their life. It is up to each and every American to make their voice heard at the local, state and federal levels of government if they support their right to lower priced medications.

First Published: June, 2004
Updated: February 2007

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