Friday, April 02, 2004

From the Canadian Press:
Pharmacists file complaints in Man., B.C., about two Internet pharmacies
Pharmacists opposed to the Internet pharmacy industry want regulators in Manitoba and British Columbia to investigate whether two companies are illegally helping Americans buy cheap drugs from other countries.

The thorny question of trans-shipping cheap prescription drugs from other countries through Canada to uninsured Americans has been a focal point in the intensifying cross-border debate over the $1-billion US industry.

Jean Coutu confirms talks on U.S. acquisition: deal for Eckerd said imminent
Jean Coutu Group confirmed Friday that it is "engaged in negotiations" on a major American acquisition, a deal that could more than double the size of Canada's second-biggest drug store chain.

The announcement came after stock in the Montreal company had risen 3.8 per cent Thursday on anticipation of a deal to buy part of the Eckerd pharmacy chain from J. C. Penney Co. Coutu's brief statement Friday did not mention Eckerd by name, saying only that "due to the confidential nature and competitive aspect of those negotiations, the company cannot disclose any more information on the matter nor can it make any statement as to their outcome."

From the Minot (ND) Daily News:
Study of drug importation issues
It could be a few months or longer before North Dakota pharmacies know whether they will be able to buy and resell prescription drugs from Canada.

Howard Anderson, Turtle Lake, executive director of the North Dakota Pharmacy Board, said a response from the secretary of U.S. Health and Human Services to a proposed pilot project in North Dakota could come this summer, although the earliest might be the end of June.

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