US Agency Finds Low Safety Risk Posed by Canadian Internet Pharmacies

A recent report prepared by the United States General Accounting Office (GAO) has dispelled many of the safety concern arguments raised by opponents to the importation of drugs from Canadian Internet pharmacies. The report entitled "Internet Pharmacies, Some Pose Safety Risks for Consumers" details the results of a study which examined the validity of common safety concerns regarding drugs purchased online, including whether the drugs were properly handled, were counterfeit, or could be purchased without a prescription. The Internet pharmacies included in the study were based in Canada, the US and other foreign countries, including Argentina and Turkey. Although counterfeit drugs were found in some of the orders, none came from Canadian pharmacies. In addition, the GAO found that while all of the Canadian Internet pharmacies required a prescription, only five out of 29 US-based Internet pharmacies required a prescription before dispensing prescription drugs. The remaining 24 US-based Internet pharmacies and all of the international pharmacies (excluding those in Canada), required no prescription at all. Although most of the drugs from Canada had not received formal FDA approval for sale in the US market, the GAO found that the chemical composition of all of the Canadian drug samples was comparable to the product ordered. The GAO report was prepared for the Chairman, Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations, Committee on Governmental Affairs, US Senate. The FDA has noted that it generally agreed with the findings and conclusions in the report. For a copy of the GAO report, visit: http://www.gao.gov/new.items/d04820.pdf. In a related development, Canada Safeway, a leading grocery chain, is considering plans to compete with Internet pharmacies by exporting Canadian drugs to its 1200 US stores with in-house pharmacies. For the news report (in which it is claimed that between 5% and 10% of Canada's prescription drug supply is now being shipped to the US), see: http://www.fftimes.com/index.php/3/2004-07-15/17662. Summary by: Sue Diaz