From the Winnipeg Sun:
New wrinkle in drug dispensing
The innovative work being done in an L-shaped building outside Winnipeg is about to transform the pharmacy business in Canada. So predicts Darren Chalus, general manager of Stream Pharmacy Solutions, the country's first automated dispensing facility.
"With one pharmacist we're able to fill upwards of 3,000 prescriptions in an eight-hour period, where a (regular pharmacy) could fill 200 during that time," Chalus said in an interview from the 12,000-square-foot plant in Homewood, which is about a 45-minute drive southwest of Winnipeg.
Wednesday, July 07, 2004
Tuesday, July 06, 2004
From the Globe and Mail:
Alberta makes ‘meth' tougher to make
Pharmacists across Alberta have decided to move two key ingredients for making crystal meth behind their counters in an effort to stem the burgeoning production of the street drug.
Pseudoephedrine and ephedrine are the principal ingredients in d-methamphetamine, a potent and highly addictive drug known on the street as "ice" or "crystal meth."
Alberta makes ‘meth' tougher to make
Pharmacists across Alberta have decided to move two key ingredients for making crystal meth behind their counters in an effort to stem the burgeoning production of the street drug.
Pseudoephedrine and ephedrine are the principal ingredients in d-methamphetamine, a potent and highly addictive drug known on the street as "ice" or "crystal meth."
From Bloomberg:
Canadian Drug Import Bills Divide U.S. Republicans
Republicans running for Congress in Ohio, Iowa and Florida are splitting with President George W. Bush over his opposition to importing drugs from Canada, where the government sets prices as much as 70 percent lower.
``I don't see why we shouldn't be able to import,'' said Ohio Republican Frank Cusimano, 39, who is trying to unseat a Democrat in the House. The issue became personal when his 58-year-old mother- in-law needed a two-week supply of the Pharmacia Corp. antibiotic Zyvox. It cost $697 and wasn't covered by insurance.
Canadian Drug Import Bills Divide U.S. Republicans
Republicans running for Congress in Ohio, Iowa and Florida are splitting with President George W. Bush over his opposition to importing drugs from Canada, where the government sets prices as much as 70 percent lower.
``I don't see why we shouldn't be able to import,'' said Ohio Republican Frank Cusimano, 39, who is trying to unseat a Democrat in the House. The issue became personal when his 58-year-old mother- in-law needed a two-week supply of the Pharmacia Corp. antibiotic Zyvox. It cost $697 and wasn't covered by insurance.
Monday, July 05, 2004
From Newsday (NY):
U.S., industry crack down on drug importation
Irving and Charlotte Diton of Melville waited and waited this spring for their shipment of prescription drugs from Canada. It never came. Finally, the elderly couple learned that U.S. Customs had seized the $531 three-month supply of medicine.
"It's an effort to scare people off," said Diton, a 75-year-old retired electrical engineer. "Of all the things that customs has on their mind, this seems like this should be a pretty low priority."
Even as Congress considers legislation to legalize the importation of drugs from Canada, efforts by older adults to get those medications have become increasingly challenging, with the Bureau of Customs and Border Protection continuing to confiscate some packages and drugmakers cutting off supplies to Canadian pharmacies and distributors who ship their goods to Americans.
U.S., industry crack down on drug importation
Irving and Charlotte Diton of Melville waited and waited this spring for their shipment of prescription drugs from Canada. It never came. Finally, the elderly couple learned that U.S. Customs had seized the $531 three-month supply of medicine.
"It's an effort to scare people off," said Diton, a 75-year-old retired electrical engineer. "Of all the things that customs has on their mind, this seems like this should be a pretty low priority."
Even as Congress considers legislation to legalize the importation of drugs from Canada, efforts by older adults to get those medications have become increasingly challenging, with the Bureau of Customs and Border Protection continuing to confiscate some packages and drugmakers cutting off supplies to Canadian pharmacies and distributors who ship their goods to Americans.
From the Fort Worth (TX) Star Telegram:
Senior drug smugglers
I can be very frail if I need to be," Kate Stahl said recently. Frailty is not normally prized by political activists, but Stahl is an unlikely agitator. A retired medical secretary with nine grandchildren and four great-grandchildren, she is 85 years old, appears to weigh hardly that many pounds and spent much of her adult life in rural seclusion as the sole female resident on Little Dead Horse Lake, a small community about five miles outside Marcell, Minn.
Senior drug smugglers
I can be very frail if I need to be," Kate Stahl said recently. Frailty is not normally prized by political activists, but Stahl is an unlikely agitator. A retired medical secretary with nine grandchildren and four great-grandchildren, she is 85 years old, appears to weigh hardly that many pounds and spent much of her adult life in rural seclusion as the sole female resident on Little Dead Horse Lake, a small community about five miles outside Marcell, Minn.
From the Helena (MT) Independent Record:
Canadian connection
A local man who ran an Rx Depot franchise for a few months last summer until the company was shut down by a federal judge, is again helping local residents obtain cheaper prescription drugs from Canada.
Tom Kennedy opened Canadian Connection in April and has helped about 100 clients fill their prescriptions at lower prices north of the border.
For now, state and federal officials seem to be leaving businesses like Kennedy's alone as Congress contemplates what to do. At least two bills relating to drug prices are under consideration in the U.S. Senate. One would legalize the safe importation of prescription drugs from other countries, beginning with Canada. Drug manufacturers are urging Congress to back drug discount cards.
Canadian connection
A local man who ran an Rx Depot franchise for a few months last summer until the company was shut down by a federal judge, is again helping local residents obtain cheaper prescription drugs from Canada.
Tom Kennedy opened Canadian Connection in April and has helped about 100 clients fill their prescriptions at lower prices north of the border.
For now, state and federal officials seem to be leaving businesses like Kennedy's alone as Congress contemplates what to do. At least two bills relating to drug prices are under consideration in the U.S. Senate. One would legalize the safe importation of prescription drugs from other countries, beginning with Canada. Drug manufacturers are urging Congress to back drug discount cards.
Sunday, July 04, 2004
From the Lakeland (FL) Ledger:
Canadian Drug Providers Meet
About 20 owners of Canadian prescription services based in Florida gathered Monday evening in Lakeland to consider a legal defense against the state.
The meeting came in response to 12 cease-and-desist orders issued June 16, when the Florida Department of Health ordered the prescription services to shut down immediately because they were performing unlicensed pharmaceutical activities.
"If we shut down, our customers won't know where to go," said Audrey Meadows, the owner of Discount Drugs of CanAmerica at 4120 U.S. 98 N., where the owners met last night. "They can't go back to the corner pharmacy, because they don't want to and they can't afford to."
Canadian Drug Providers Meet
About 20 owners of Canadian prescription services based in Florida gathered Monday evening in Lakeland to consider a legal defense against the state.
The meeting came in response to 12 cease-and-desist orders issued June 16, when the Florida Department of Health ordered the prescription services to shut down immediately because they were performing unlicensed pharmaceutical activities.
"If we shut down, our customers won't know where to go," said Audrey Meadows, the owner of Discount Drugs of CanAmerica at 4120 U.S. 98 N., where the owners met last night. "They can't go back to the corner pharmacy, because they don't want to and they can't afford to."
From the Boston Globe:
Canadian drugs may be what the budget ordered
Newton employees and retirees ordered nearly 6,000 prescriptions of the cholesterol-reducing drug Lipitor last year -- for a total cost to the city of $434,300.
If Newton had used the Internet to order all of the Lipitor from Canadian pharmacies, it would have saved about $90,000, according to a Globe West analysis using average prices in each country. That amount of money would have been nearly enough to hire two teachers.
For months, Newton officials have been quietly studying the idea of importing drugs from Canada, where government price controls make prescription drugs 20 to 80 percent cheaper.
Canadian drugs may be what the budget ordered
Newton employees and retirees ordered nearly 6,000 prescriptions of the cholesterol-reducing drug Lipitor last year -- for a total cost to the city of $434,300.
If Newton had used the Internet to order all of the Lipitor from Canadian pharmacies, it would have saved about $90,000, according to a Globe West analysis using average prices in each country. That amount of money would have been nearly enough to hire two teachers.
For months, Newton officials have been quietly studying the idea of importing drugs from Canada, where government price controls make prescription drugs 20 to 80 percent cheaper.
From the Lakeland (FL) Ledger:
Drug Services Refusing Florida's Offer
Thanks, but no thanks.
The state's Department of Health announced Tuesday it would take steps to make it easier for Canadian prescription services to become licensed as mail-order pharmacies. But there's a problem, according to the local businesses.
"We're not a pharmacy," said Daniel Meadows Jr., a customer service representative at Discount Drugs of CanAmerica at 4120 U.S. 98 N.
Drug Services Refusing Florida's Offer
Thanks, but no thanks.
The state's Department of Health announced Tuesday it would take steps to make it easier for Canadian prescription services to become licensed as mail-order pharmacies. But there's a problem, according to the local businesses.
"We're not a pharmacy," said Daniel Meadows Jr., a customer service representative at Discount Drugs of CanAmerica at 4120 U.S. 98 N.
From the South Bend (IN) Tribune:
Donnelly favors drug re-importation
Democratic congressional candidate Joe Donnelly has called on Congress to authorize the re-importation of prescription drugs from licensed pharmacies in Canada, and criticized Republican incumbent Chris Chocola for voting against the practice.
"Working families and all families deserve the opportunity to purchase their drugs from Canada and put the savings right in their pockets," Donnelly said.
Donnelly favors drug re-importation
Democratic congressional candidate Joe Donnelly has called on Congress to authorize the re-importation of prescription drugs from licensed pharmacies in Canada, and criticized Republican incumbent Chris Chocola for voting against the practice.
"Working families and all families deserve the opportunity to purchase their drugs from Canada and put the savings right in their pockets," Donnelly said.
From the White Plains (NY) Journal News:
Protesting American drug policies
Senior citizens from Rockland and the metro area will travel to Canada next week to demand the federal government do something about the rising costs of prescription drugs in the United States.
That something, they say, is to approve a bill in the Senate that would make it legal to buy prescription drugs from Canada and 20 other industrialized countries.
While some of the riders on the RxExpress bus to Montreal will purchase drugs at cheaper prices there, the two-day trip is meant to send a message or two.
Protesting American drug policies
Senior citizens from Rockland and the metro area will travel to Canada next week to demand the federal government do something about the rising costs of prescription drugs in the United States.
That something, they say, is to approve a bill in the Senate that would make it legal to buy prescription drugs from Canada and 20 other industrialized countries.
While some of the riders on the RxExpress bus to Montreal will purchase drugs at cheaper prices there, the two-day trip is meant to send a message or two.
From the San Francisco Examiner:
Drug connection
A Canadian online drug company is reaping a business bonanza thanks to the San Francisco Health Department's Web site, which sends people on a virtual shopping trip to Vancouver, Alberta and Winnepeg.
"Visits to the Web site www.onlinecanadianpharmacy.com are up 349 percent in just one week,'' crows an announcement from the British Columbia-based Web site.
Drug connection
A Canadian online drug company is reaping a business bonanza thanks to the San Francisco Health Department's Web site, which sends people on a virtual shopping trip to Vancouver, Alberta and Winnepeg.
"Visits to the Web site www.onlinecanadianpharmacy.com are up 349 percent in just one week,'' crows an announcement from the British Columbia-based Web site.
From the Pawtucket (RI) Times:
State legalizes purchase of Canadian presciption drugs
Rhode Island has become the first state to make it legal to purchase prescription drugs from Canada, where prices can be three to four times lower than for the same medicine bought in this country.
Turning aside the importuning of biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies in the Ocean State, as well as a letter of warning from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services warning that the law would, "undermine key consumer protection standards and place your constituents at unnecessary risk of harm from unregulated pharmaceuticals" Carcieri allowed the measure to become law without his signature Thursday.
State legalizes purchase of Canadian presciption drugs
Rhode Island has become the first state to make it legal to purchase prescription drugs from Canada, where prices can be three to four times lower than for the same medicine bought in this country.
Turning aside the importuning of biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies in the Ocean State, as well as a letter of warning from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services warning that the law would, "undermine key consumer protection standards and place your constituents at unnecessary risk of harm from unregulated pharmaceuticals" Carcieri allowed the measure to become law without his signature Thursday.
From the Anchorage (Alaska) Daily News:
Knowles camp backs Canadian drug imports
U.S. Senate candidate Tony Knowles says in a new campaign ad that Americans ought to be able to import prescription drugs from Canada.
"We pay more than twice as much as Canadians for the same drugs, yet Congress forbids you from ordering the cheaper drugs," he says in his new TV spot.
The Knowles ad doesn't mention Sen. Lisa Murkowski, but his campaign issued a statement to reporters Friday listing Murkowski's record on the issue and alleging that she has "consistently sided with pharmaceutical companies."
Knowles camp backs Canadian drug imports
U.S. Senate candidate Tony Knowles says in a new campaign ad that Americans ought to be able to import prescription drugs from Canada.
"We pay more than twice as much as Canadians for the same drugs, yet Congress forbids you from ordering the cheaper drugs," he says in his new TV spot.
The Knowles ad doesn't mention Sen. Lisa Murkowski, but his campaign issued a statement to reporters Friday listing Murkowski's record on the issue and alleging that she has "consistently sided with pharmaceutical companies."
From Woonsocket.com (RI):
Canadian drug bill becomes law
A bill that will allow the state Department of Health to issue licenses to Canadian pharmacies became law without the governor’s signature.
The new law, sponsored by Sen. Roger Badeau (D-Dist. 20, Cumberland, Woonsocket), removes an obstacle for Rhode Islanders seeking to buy prescription medicines from Canada, where they are often substantially cheaper.
Carcieri had announced his support for the bill in April, but earlier this week said he might veto it. Several business and health groups as well as two major drugmakers lobbied for a veto, saying the imported drugs would endanger health and stifle the growth of the biotechnology industry.
Canadian drug bill becomes law
A bill that will allow the state Department of Health to issue licenses to Canadian pharmacies became law without the governor’s signature.
The new law, sponsored by Sen. Roger Badeau (D-Dist. 20, Cumberland, Woonsocket), removes an obstacle for Rhode Islanders seeking to buy prescription medicines from Canada, where they are often substantially cheaper.
Carcieri had announced his support for the bill in April, but earlier this week said he might veto it. Several business and health groups as well as two major drugmakers lobbied for a veto, saying the imported drugs would endanger health and stifle the growth of the biotechnology industry.
From Canada.com:
Younger men looking for a lift: Older teens, adults in their 20s are taking Viagra
Forget Bob Dole or Guy Lafleur. The next pitchman for Viagra may be McCauley Culkin.
Lured by the idea that fail-safe and firmer erections may be found in a pill bottle, younger and younger men are asking doctors for erectile dysfunction drugs even when their sexual "functioning" is normal.
Older teens and men in their 20s are taking Viagra or newer erection remedies routinely before dates or parties, doctors report.
Younger men looking for a lift: Older teens, adults in their 20s are taking Viagra
Forget Bob Dole or Guy Lafleur. The next pitchman for Viagra may be McCauley Culkin.
Lured by the idea that fail-safe and firmer erections may be found in a pill bottle, younger and younger men are asking doctors for erectile dysfunction drugs even when their sexual "functioning" is normal.
Older teens and men in their 20s are taking Viagra or newer erection remedies routinely before dates or parties, doctors report.
From the Billings (MT) Gazette:
More Americans buying drugs north of the border to cut costs
Until earlier this year, Mary Jane Muth hadn't given much thought to the price of prescription drugs.
"We had never had any major medical problems before this," said Muth, who lives in Billings with her husband, Don.
Mary Jane, 58, owns MJ's Therapeutic Massage and Don, 61, runs Don's Auto Shop.
On Feb. 5, after a routine physical, Don learned that he had colon cancer. That in itself was devastating, but other issues soon confronted the couple.
More Americans buying drugs north of the border to cut costs
Until earlier this year, Mary Jane Muth hadn't given much thought to the price of prescription drugs.
"We had never had any major medical problems before this," said Muth, who lives in Billings with her husband, Don.
Mary Jane, 58, owns MJ's Therapeutic Massage and Don, 61, runs Don's Auto Shop.
On Feb. 5, after a routine physical, Don learned that he had colon cancer. That in itself was devastating, but other issues soon confronted the couple.
From the Fort Myers (FL) News Press:
Seniors struggle with Canadian drug dispute
Loyal customers of cheaper Canadian drugs say Florida’s recent attempt to close neighborhood storefronts won’t deter them from finding other ways to save on their prescriptions.
Despite state and federal warnings that drugs purchased from foreign and unlicensed pharmacies cannot be regulated for safety, residents are turning to the Internet or direct mail ordering to fill their much-needed prescription medications.
Customers were aghast last month when they heard the state shut down 12 businesses — including one in Bonita Springs and one in Punta Gorda — that connected customers with Canada. The state accused them of acting as unlicensed pharmacies.
Seniors struggle with Canadian drug dispute
Loyal customers of cheaper Canadian drugs say Florida’s recent attempt to close neighborhood storefronts won’t deter them from finding other ways to save on their prescriptions.
Despite state and federal warnings that drugs purchased from foreign and unlicensed pharmacies cannot be regulated for safety, residents are turning to the Internet or direct mail ordering to fill their much-needed prescription medications.
Customers were aghast last month when they heard the state shut down 12 businesses — including one in Bonita Springs and one in Punta Gorda — that connected customers with Canada. The state accused them of acting as unlicensed pharmacies.
Saturday, July 03, 2004
From MSNBC:
Rx Processing brings Bay area closer to Canadian drugs
Rx Processing, a company that provides United States residents with access to Canadian pharmaceuticals, is setting up its corporate headquarters in Tampa.
And that's like entering the eye of the hurricane.
Florida is one of the more aggressive states in regulating companies that order Canadian prescription drugs, said David Zazoff, a spokesman for Rx Processing. But he also said the state's large population of senior citizens made it attractive to Rx Processing.
Rx Processing brings Bay area closer to Canadian drugs
Rx Processing, a company that provides United States residents with access to Canadian pharmaceuticals, is setting up its corporate headquarters in Tampa.
And that's like entering the eye of the hurricane.
Florida is one of the more aggressive states in regulating companies that order Canadian prescription drugs, said David Zazoff, a spokesman for Rx Processing. But he also said the state's large population of senior citizens made it attractive to Rx Processing.
From the Sarasota (FL) Herald Tribune:
Internet pharmacy definition unclear
Businesses ordering Canadian prescription drugs for consumers might insist they aren't pharmacies, but the state is trying to hem them into that definition on more than one front.
A law signed by Gov. Jeb Bush on Wednesday creates a broad definition of what constitutes an "Internet pharmacy" and sets up a separate license category.
Earlier this week, the Florida Department of Health took another approach to rein in the businesses. It invited so-called storefront pharmacies, which help consumers order cheaper medications from Canada, to become licensed as "mail-order" pharmacies.
Internet pharmacy definition unclear
Businesses ordering Canadian prescription drugs for consumers might insist they aren't pharmacies, but the state is trying to hem them into that definition on more than one front.
A law signed by Gov. Jeb Bush on Wednesday creates a broad definition of what constitutes an "Internet pharmacy" and sets up a separate license category.
Earlier this week, the Florida Department of Health took another approach to rein in the businesses. It invited so-called storefront pharmacies, which help consumers order cheaper medications from Canada, to become licensed as "mail-order" pharmacies.
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