Friday, September 19, 2003

From the Boston Globe:
Springfield supplier: Drug shipments legal
Making his first public response, Howard, a retired insurance executive from Windsor, Ontario, appeared at a press conference at Springfield City Hall yesterday with Mayor Michael Albano and said he believes his company is operating within the law -- or at least within the guidelines the FDA has established for individual shipments of drugs into the United States. Importing prescription drugs is illegal, but the FDA has declined to enforce the prohibition for individual consumers, who get discounts of 20 to 80 percent by tapping into Canada's drug distribution system, which has strict price controls.

From the Boston Herald:
Rebels hit FDA policy on Rx: But industry calls imports dangerous
A group of congressmen rallied yesterday around Springfield Mayor Michael Albano and others buying prescription drugs from Canada, while pharmacy leaders spoke against the movement.

The Springfield program to buy Canadian drugs for city employees and retirees has come under fire by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, which says it's risky.

From the Brattlesboro (VT) Reformer:
Sanders works for drug importation
Pointing to the move by a Massachusetts mayor in the face of federal opposition to offer Canadian-bought medications to city workers, Rep. Bernard Sanders, I-Vt., says momentum is building for a prescription drug re-importation plan that would ultimately revolutionize Medicare.

By legalizing the cost-cutting effort undertaken by Springfield, Mass., Mayor Michael Albano, and encouraging other communities and states to follow his lead, lawmakers say free-market forces eventually will drive down the prices of prescription drugs made in the United States.

From the Berkshire (MA) Eagle:
FDA targets Springfield's Canada drugs
The federal government took the first step yesterday toward shutting down a company supplying cheaper Canadian prescription drugs to city workers and retirees in Springfield, Mass.

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