Druggists calling for ban on exports to U.S.January 15, 2007Globe and Mail By Gloria Galloway Groups warn of risk to Canadian supply OTTAWA -- Canada's pharmacists have asked the federal government to ban the export of prescription drugs to the United States following the introduction of a bill in the U.S. Congress that would open the door to medicines intended for Canadians. Four organizations representing pharmacists and drug distributors warn that the bill, which would allow the flow of cheap Canadian pharmaceuticals south of the border, spells potential catastrophe in this country. "This American legislative proposal poses an imminent and serious threat to the security and integrity of Canada's drug supply, and hence a serious and genuine threat to the health and well-being of Canadians," says the letter to Health Minister Tony Clement. Written by the Canadian Pharmacists Association, the Ontario Pharmacists' Association, the Best Medicines Coalition and the Canadian Association for Pharmacy Distribution, it urges "an immediate ban on the export, both bulk and retail, of prescription drugs from Canada." Because of domestic controls, pharmaceutical companies offer prescription drugs to Canadians at prices below those charged to Americans -- but they restrict the supply to what is needed in Canada. There is concern that bulk export of the cheaper drugs to the U.S. market will provoke the drug manufacturers to argue for an end to that pricing agreement. The bill introduced in the Congress last Wednesday would allow pharmacies and wholesalers to import medications approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration from Canada, Europe, Australia, New Zealand and Japan, and would permit individuals to purchase drugs for their own use from Canadian pharmacies. Mr. Clement has said previously that he is monitoring the situation but does not expect the changes south of the border to affect the Canadian drug supply. His spokesman has pointed out that the amount of pharmaceuticals being shipped to the United States has actually fallen since 2004. Gord Haugh, the general manager of the Canadian International Pharmacy Association, which represents Canada's Internet pharmacy sector, said last week in a letter to Mr. Clement that his group would support any measure to prevent the bulk export of drugs from Canada, if that is what is required. But, because the vast majority of Americans have prescription-drug insurance coverage, "it is expected that only a very small additional percentage of U.S. customers would start to order their drugs internationally should this bill become law," wrote Mr. Haugh, who has previously worked in Mr. Clement's office. It is possible that the new legislation will not be passed in the Congress. But Jeff Poston, the executive director of the Canadian Pharmacists Association, said yesterday that his group believes it would be better to act sooner rather than later. The bill is being supported by both Democrats and Republicans, Mr. Poston said, and the rhetoric that currently surrounds it suggests that it is now being touted as a free-trade measure between the two countries. "So it could be more awkward in the political sense, when the Canadian government chooses to take action, if it leaves it until we see the U.S. legislation passed," Mr. Poston said. He urged Mr. Clement to "act now before you find yourself in another politically embarrassing trade situation with the United States." |
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