Saturday, February 11, 2006
Seizure of Medication from Canada
According to a story on the front page of the Los Angeles Times today, the federal government is seizing selected shipments of drugs from Canada to patients in the United States. Purchasing drugs from foreign pharmacies is illegal for Americans, but the law has not been enforced until recently. According to the story, βThe U.S. government apparently is stepping up seizures of cheap drugs ordered by Americans β mainly seniors β from abroad, Canadian pharmacies say. The pharmacies, which sell drugs by mail and over the Internet, say their shipments are being intercepted by U.S. Customs officials around the country where foreign mail is handled.β
One reason advanced for the step-up in seizures is to reduce competition with the new Medicare Prescription Drug benefit which went into effect on January 1. Some seniors report that the imported drugs are cheaper than those offered by the new Medicare program.
This is an example of how the Republican Administration caters to and protects the interests of the big pharmaceutical firms and screws the public. How much longer must we put up with this form of corruption?
One reason advanced for the step-up in seizures is to reduce competition with the new Medicare Prescription Drug benefit which went into effect on January 1. Some seniors report that the imported drugs are cheaper than those offered by the new Medicare program.
This is an example of how the Republican Administration caters to and protects the interests of the big pharmaceutical firms and screws the public. How much longer must we put up with this form of corruption?
