Thursday, November 06, 2003

From the Wilmington (NC) Star:
Judge OKs Shutdown of Canada Drugs Firm
A federal judge granted the government's request Thursday to shut down a company, operating as Rx Depot and Rx of Canada, that helps customers buy cheaper prescription drugs from Canada.

From Knight Ridder:
Federal judge closes pharmacy chain that looks to Canada for drugs
In a major setback for consumers, a federal judge on Thursday ordered a chain of 88 stores in 27 states to stop helping customers buy cheaper prescription drugs from Canada.

The decision by U.S. District Judge Claire Eagan shuts down Rx Depot, based in Tulsa, Okla., and Nevada-based Rx of Canada until the legality of their activities can be determined at trial. The ruling also means the stores' estimated 850 daily customers nationwide must go elsewhere for Canadian medications that can sell for up to 80 percent less than their U.S. counterparts. Eagan's ruling could also affect several states and cities planning to purchase Canadian drugs for their employees to lower rising health care costs.

From the Globe and Mail:
FDA rattles sabre at Canadian pharmacy company
A Canadian company supplying low-cost drugs to Americans is breaking U.S. law and Washington may consider blocking its shipments, regulators said Thursday.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration, in a letter to Ontario-based CanaRx, said the company is shipping illegal drugs into the United States, misleading consumers about safety and putting people at risk.

From the Atlanta Journal Constitution:
Importing presciption drugs
Whether Americans opt for Nexium or Prevacid to treat their heartburn, they could have bought the drugs in Canada for less than half the price.

As Congress debates whether to allow foreign pharmacies to fill prescriptions, The Associated Press surveyed comparable U.S. and Canadian prices for 10 popular drugs and found the Canadian prices were 33 percent to 80 percent cheaper.

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