Recently one major pharmaceutical manufacturer, GlaxoSmnithKline, stopped supplying its products to Canadian mail-order pharmacies that sell to Americans. Glaxo claims it is doing so to “protect” Americans. With many Internet sites springing up to sell Canadian drugs to Americans, is it safe (and legal) to purchase them? A recent AARP Bulletin article examined these issues.

According to AARP, an estimated one-million Americans obtain their drugs from Canada, most using Internet mail-order companies. Prescription drugs in Canada often, but not always, cost less for the exact same product because the Canadian government regulates drug prices where the U.S. does not.

Legal?

An 1987 law prohibits the importation of prescription drugs, whether made in America or not. In practice this law has not been enforced against individuals returning with a 90-day supply for their own use. Many insurers have been reimbursing Americans for Canadian purchases.

The FDA is threatening to criminally prosecute the insurers. Bills are before Congress to make this practice legal but at the present time it technically is not. Rep. Bernie Sanders (VT) is one who has sponsored such a bill. He says, “I’m outraged that a huge company like Glaxo, which had profits of almost $10 billion and pays its CEO over $20 million a year, is trying to make it impossible for Americans to get affordable medicines from Canada.”

Safe?

The possibility for unsafe drugs exists. Counterfeit drugs like Viagra are being sold in the U.S., though none from or via Canada.

A new group, the Internet Mail-Order Pharmacy Accreditation Commission (IMPAC) is developing a system of quality standards for American, Mexican and Canadian mail-order pharmacies. It is run by doctors and pharmacists from all three countries. They are also working on an optical seal that cannot be counterfeited. The seals would allow customs officials to see signs of tampering at a glance.

What to do?

With an 80-90 Web sites now selling prescription drugs at lower Canadian prices, how do you determine whether or not a company is reputable? According to AARP, companies that are reputable use the following standards:

• Display the pharmacy’s license number and name of authority that granted it. Canadian pharmacies are regulated by the College of Pharmacy. You can call to verify this.
• Require a doctor’s prescription, which will be reviewed by a Canadian doctor. (Required by Canadian law).
• Require patients to submit a detailed medical history.
• Provide an address and telephone number so patients can speak directly to a pharmacist or ask questions about the serviced. (Sites that allow only e-mail contacts should be suspect.)
• Explain the differences between American and Canadian drugs and why some are not sold.

Help with prescription drug costs

The National Council on Aging has an online Benefits Checkup Program for those over 55. Complete an anonymous questionnaire and it will give you a personalized report of programs you may be eligible for. Several programs I have found that are available to those who meet income qualifications include:

• Needymeds.com: tips on how to get free or discounted medications directly from drug companies. Check at www.needymeds.com by drug or program.
• Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America: www.phrma.org. Look under “patient’s directory.” Search for programs by company.
• The Medicine Program: www.themedicineprogram.com will help you get a lower cost medicine for a an additional $5/prescription, saving you the legwork of the two programs above.

If you can’t find a program for your particular medication, contact the manufacturer for possible assistance.

Check with Medicaid for your state. Find information and links at www.medicaid.gov. Income eligibility requirements vary tremendously. In New York, the state will pay some of the cost of drugs for couples with incomes of up to $50,000.

If you do not meet income qualifications for assistance programs yet have no prescription coverage, you can still save money. Ask your physician for samples or if there is either a cheaper medicine or a generic drug that may give you the same benefit.

Source: AARP Bulletin April 2003