Current articles and info about your health

Wednesday, 23rd July 2008

   home     about     authors     news     books     xml feed     sitemap     privacy     contact us

There are 11 users online

add to favorites
 make home page


Addiction Issues
 Aging
 Allergies & Sinuses
 Alternative Medicine
 Beauty & Health
 Books & Reading
 Common Illnesses
 Community Service
 Diabetic Health
 Dieting
 Diseases
 Environmental Health
 Exercise and Fitness
 Health Education
 Health Industry
 Health Insurance
 Health Legal Issues
 Health Technology
 Healthcare Services
 Healthy Eating
 Medical Equipment & Products
 Men's Health
 Mental and Emotional Health
 Muscle & Back Pain
 Nutrition and Supplements
 Pediatrics
 Pet Health
 Physical Therapy & Massage
 Prevention Health
 Vision Health
 Weight Management
 Women's Health

Our Newsletter

Sign up for our free
Health-Informant.com Ezine
Get all the latest Health news delivered right to your mailbox.

First Name:

Your Email:



We will never rent, share or sell your name to anyone else... ever! We respect your privacy!
  Other Resources


For other sources of health news, tips, and information, visit our resources page

 

  Submit an Article


Would you like to have your article posted? Click Here
 

 
 

Drug Importation Legislation Can Save Money, Lives and Maybe Even Medicare D
Added: 01/19/2007
 Type: Summary
 Viewed: 149 time(s)
 [ Not Rated Yet ]
How would you rate this article:    Bad Good   Go » 
Drug Importation Legislation Can Save Money, Lives and Maybe Even Medicare D

Senators Byron Dorgan (D- N.D.) and Olympia Snowe (R- ME) along with Reps. Rahm Emanuel (D-IL) and Jo-Anne Emerson (R-MO) have re-introduced companion legislation in both houses of Congress aimed at facilitating importation of FDA approved medications from Canada and other countries. The Pharmaceutical Market Access and Drug Safety Act (S. 242/H.R. 380) intends to permit Americans to purchase prescription medications by mail from registered Canadian pharmacies for personal use and eventually allow licensed U.S. pharmacies and wholesalers to import wholesale medications from several designated countries in bulk. The bill brings an essential certification of safety and regulation by requiring FDA inspections of Canadian pharmacies and supply chain integrity through pedigree verification. It has also been given full endorsement by the AARP on behalf of its 38 million members.

Passing drug importation legislation could be a perfect plug for the doughnut hole while helping millions of younger Americans who lack health insurance.


Licensed Canadian online pharmacies like Rx Care Canada have reliably dispensed medications to American patients for 5 years via the mail and welcome the opportunity to service a government-regulated program. Canadian pharmacies have proven that for many under or uninsured Americans, mail-order prescriptions are safe, affordable and convenient with savings that range from 30-86% off retail prices. However, many suppliers warn that the bulk importation or wholesale component of the bill is unsustainable and beyond the functional capacity of the Canadian pharmaceutical market.

"The Canadian market can easily meet the demand for mail-order prescription drugs because it services a limited uninsured demographic. But to expect Canada to fill the shelves of pharmacies and wholesalers across the U.S. is unrealistic and not likely to be acceptable to the Canadian government," says William Skubovius, President & COO of Rx Care Canada (www.rxcarecanada.com). "The chances of Canada facilitating the trade of massive quantities of drugs on the wholesale market are slim to none."

Most industry experts concur that the Canadian government is sure to respond precipitously with a ban on bulk exports should the legislation become enacted. There is also serious doubt about whether other countries, in Europe for example, would tolerate large-scale export of their drugs to the U.S. Furthermore, profit taking by wholesalers and retail pharmacies will certainly mitigate most of the savings to patients.

"Very little of the savings from bulk importation would end up being passed on to the consumer. Whereas, mail-order would preserve low prices for consumers by cutting out the middleman," adds Skubovius.

In fact, savings from Canada are so substantial that they compete well and in many cases surpass the discounts from the Medicare D prescription drug program for seniors. This may account for why many seniors that enrolled in Medicare D have returned to RxCareCanada.com in recent months.

"Higher premiums, more limited formulary coverage and an even bigger doughnut hole in 2007 make Canadian medications an excellent alternative or addition to Medicare D plans," says Skubovius.

"Passing drug importation legislation could be a perfect plug for the doughnut hole while helping millions of younger Americans who lack health insurance."

Rx Care Canada Pharmacy is licensed by the Manitoba Pharmaceutical Association (IPS license # 32690) and has been safely dispensing medications to American patients for 5 years. All Canadian drugs are regulated by Health Canada and dispensed by licensed pharmacists.
Article Pages:  1  



  Article Comments   Add Comment | View All (0)
    There are currently no comments for this article.


All content © 2008 Webmaster, Drug Importation Legislation Can Save Money, Lives and Maybe Even Medicare D :: Health-Informant.com.