Couple take US Health Department to court over buying drugs abroad

Main Category: Public Health
Article Date: 27 Feb 2004 - 0:00 PDT

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A couple from Illinois is taking the Health Department (US) to court. They want to overturn a law that stops states and cities from buying cheaper drugs from Canada in bulk.

The Illinois Governor has encouraged this suit, a class action suit (means it can become a precedent). The couple, from Chicago, filed their suit in federal district court yesterday (Thursday).

Blagojevich, Governor of Illinois, said 'If this lawsuit succeeds, the state of Illinois can go ahead and import prescription drugs from Canada.' He says that the state could save $90 million a year for state workers and retired people.

He went on to say 'The primary job of government is to protect the health and safety of the people. We are not here to protect the financial interests of the pharmaceutical industry.'

Half of the states in the USA are trying to find ways of getting their drugs from abroad. Prices, in comparison to USA prescription prices, can be about 80% less in Canada.

Minnesota and Wisconsin officials have both set up websites that tell people of good Canadian pharmacies that have good, reliable practice. The sites also have the Canadian pharmacies' website addresses. The FDA was not happy about this and said it is preparing a statement.

A US Medicare bill, which was signed two months ago, will allow drug imports. The trouble is that the Health Secretary has to sign it (approve it specifically), he refuses to do so.

The couple who are taking the health department to court spend around $800 per month on prescription medicines. They say that they could save 43% if they could get their drugs from Canada.

The couple say that they are denied the freedom to make personal medical decisions. They say that Thompson (Health Secretary) has improper authority to be unfair to seniors (pensioners) who live in states that do not border with another country. These people cannot drive across borders because it is too far. So they are stuck with high drug prices.

A study needs to be carried out on this. However, since the head of the study is a well known sceptic of easing the laws, everyone knows what the conclusion is going to be.

All party governors and legislators gathered on Capitol Hill (USA) this week. They asked the FDA to work with them on their pilot projects. The pilot projects refer to ways of buying Canadian drugs to deal with any safety concerns.

Historically, the FDA has turned a blind eye to individuals who buy their drugs abroad. The internet has changed all that as imports have risen and risen. Now imports have totalled $700 million a year (officially).

As states are looking at ways of saving money this number could soar.

The FDA has made no legal moves against individuals or states. However, it has organised a public information campaign. It warns of the dangers of imported drugs.

Many people say this is just big business wanting to hold on to its margins and politicians protecting donations from big business.

Never in the USA has anyone got ill as a result of taking drugs imported from Canada rather than buying them in the USA.