Online Pharmacies a Key Factor in Cross-Border Drug Wars

The lower price of prescription drugs in Canada is drawing more US cities and States to actively consider purchasing drugs from Canada, a practice encouraged by the ready availability of drugs by direct online purchases. As recently reported in the magazine Canadian Business, New Hampshire indicates that it will start to buy drugs from Canadian sources for prison inmates and some Medicaid recipients, joining Springfield, MA already doing so. Eleven more US cities and States are also reported to be considering following their lead. The US market for prescription drugs imported from Canada is growing. It is estimated that in 2002 alone, US$650 million was spent on prescription drugs imported to the US from Canada and that there are now nearly 200 Canadian online pharmacies. In response to these numbers, US drug manufacturers have been seeking ways to restrict the flow of prescription drugs from Canada, including the allegation that many online sales represent a breach of pharmacy regulations. Look for further developments in 2004, as this issue will not quietly disappear. For the article in Canadian Business magazine, see: http://makeashorterlink.com/?W50722007. For an article on the attempt by the State of Illinois to import prescription drugs from Canada, see: http://www.nytimes.com/2003/12/22/national/22DRUG.html. For an article on conflicting US decisions on the legality of the sale of drugs over the Internet, see: http://makeashorterlink.com/?Z13721007. Summary by: Sue Diaz