Official Says Canada to Ban Drug Exports (to US)

[meganmonkey]

TORONTO (AP) - Canada intends to ban the bulk of export prescriptions to the United States and other countries to try to control Internet pharmacies, the health minister said Tuesday.

Health Minister Ujjal Dosanjh said he must ensure Canadians continue to have access to an adequate supply of safe and affordable prescription drugs and would launch initiatives, including legislative and regulatory changes, to protect the supply and safety of Canada's drugs.

Sales of the drugs have become popular with Americans seeking cheaper medicine.

President Bush's administration opposes the prescription drug imports, and federal regulators warn they cannot guarantee the safety of drugs from outside U.S. borders.

more...
http://www.guardian.co.uk/worldlatest/story/0,1280,-5107088,00.html

[orwell]

1. Good...

...who needs their "socialized" medicines anyway. I prefer good old American "safe" drugs.

By the way...I hear those Canadian drugs make you speak French. (It's all a commie plot.) :sarcasm:

[One_Life_To_Give]

2. Drug Companies pushing this?

Maybe threatening to charge Canadians the same rate as the US perhaps.

[CHIMO]

3. Canada to allow bans on bulk drug exports

Canada to allow bans on bulk drug exports
Last Updated Wed, 29 Jun 2005 13:01:41 EDT
CBC News

Canada will ban the bulk exports of prescription medications when needed, as part of strategy to control internet pharmacies, says Health Minister Ujjal Dosanjh.

"Canada cannot be the drugstore for the United States of America," Dosanjh said at a news conference in Ottawa on Wednesday.

The legislation is among a raft of changes aimed at controlling the booming industry, as Washington considers a law that would allow the bulk import of prescription drugs from other countries.

The ban wouldn't be permanent and would likely be limited to certain drugs that are in short supply at a certain time, Dosanjh said.

http://www.cbc.ca/story/canada/national/2005/06/29/drug-050629.html

Interesting spins.
The CBC point that it is to prevent possible shortages from potential new US legislation. Also medicare has nothing to do with lower drug prices. The lower prices are the result of negotiations whereby patent rights were extended on drugs, in return the drug companies would have to justify their prices.

AP seems to have a different view.