Saturday, February 28, 2004

From the Boston Globe:
Pfizer targets Canadian pipeline
Pfizer Inc. is escalating its fight against the cross-border Canadian drug trade, cutting off the supply of such popular prescription medicines as Lipitor and Celebrex to two Canadian wholesalers that it suspects are feeding a distribution chain for American consumers.

The two pharmacy wholesalers -- of about 20 wholesalers in Canada -- are based in Manitoba and Alberta, provinces with scores of Internet mail-order pharmacies that have sprung up in response to demand for lower-cost drugs in the United States. Pfizer's move struck home, according to a representative of the Canadian Internet pharmacy industry, who sent out an urgent e-mail alert Thursday to members.

From the San Jose Mercury News:
Pawlenty promises to battle Pfizer over plan
Gov. Tim Pawlenty intends to ask the state's pension fund to lead an effort to persuade drug giant Pfizer Inc. not to cut off supplies to Canadian pharmacies that allegedly sell to Americans.

On Thursday the company began shutting off shipments to two wholesalers that allegedly supplied medicine to pharmacies that sold to Americans. Last month, Minnesota became the first state to operate a Web site that helps residents import medications from Canada.

From CBC Manitoba:
Pfizer cuts off local drug wholesaler
The world's largest drug company is cutting off supplies to a Winnipeg wholesaler who deals with internet pharmacies.

Pfizer is penalizing Procurity Pharmacy Services for dealing with pharmacies that sell prescriptions to American customers online at prices far lower than those found in the United States.

From the Shawano (Wisc.) Leader:
Wisconsin's prescription drug Web site proves popular
A state-run Internet site received more than 80,000 hits after linking to Canadian pharmacies where people can buy cheaper drugs, the governor's office said.

Nearly 1,700 people signed an online petition posted at the site, wwwi.drugsavings.wi.gov, which Gov. Jim Doyle launched Wednesday, Doyle spokesman Josh Morby said.

From the Sacramento Bee:
Small pharmacy braces for Canadian storefront
Canada may soon be too close for comfort at Professional Village Pharmacy, an independent drugstore that has thrived in an unassuming Arden-area strip mall since 1959.

From the National Post:
Drug giant cuts supply to Canada
The world's largest drug maker revealed yesterday it has cut off its supply to two major Canadian wholesalers in a dramatic bid to stem the export of medicine to the United States.

Pfizer Canada's move marks the first time any pharmaceutical firm has shut out a wholesaler in the growing war over cross-border drug sales.

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