Affordable Meds the Medicare Alternative

Drugs firms raided after competition inquiry is launched by the EU

2008-01-16T18:58:00.000-05:00

The European Commission is getting tough in its quest to find out if big pharmaceutical firms acted illegally to stop new drugs hitting the market

Rory Watson in Brussels
Some of the world’s largest pharmaceutical companies were raided early yesterday as the European Commission launched a wide-ranging inquiry to determine whether they were acting illegally to prevent new drugs from coming on to the market.
Announcing the investigation, Neelie Kroes, the Competition Commissioner, said: “If innovative products are not being produced, and cheaper generic alternatives to existing products are in some cases being delayed, then we need to find out why and, if necessary, take action.”
Companies that found EU and national competition inspectors on their doorsteps yesterday included Pfizer, GlaxoSmithKline, AstraZeneca, Johnson & Johnson, Merck & Co and Sanofi-Aventis.
Ms Kroes insisted that the inspections were not targeting companies suspected of wrongdoing, but were the starting point of a broad inquiry into the pharmaceutical sector to uncover information about intellectual property rights and litigation and settlement agreements. The investigation is expected to last more than a year.
“By its nature, this is information that companies tend to consider highly confidential,” Ms Kroes said. “Such information may also be easily withheld, concealed or destroyed. That is why we decided that inspections were necessary.”
AstraZeneca, which the Commission fined ¤-using the patent system to delay market entry of rivals to its ulcer drug Losec, confirmed that it was part of the sector inquiry and was “co-operating fully”.
The company, which has lodged an appeal against the fine, said in a brief statement that the inquiry “relates to the introduction of innovative and generic medicines for human consumption on to the market and covers commercial practices, including the use of patents”.
Commenting on behalf of the sector, the European Pharmaceutical Federation said that it hoped “this inquiry will enable the Commission to better understand the nature and process of innovation in the pharmaceutical sector and the importance of intellectual property rights in driving pharmaceutical innovation”.
The Commission has already launched similar inquiries into other areas — telecommunications, energy and financial services — to establish how companies in a particular sector behave, to determine whether EU competition rules are being flouted.
Ms Kroes said that she had chosen her latest target because she was determined to use her antitrust powers to solve problems that make a difference to the lives of individuals.
“Few things make more of a difference than this,” she said, pointing out that about € 200 billion (£149.4 billion) is spent on medicines in the EU every year — the equivalent of € 400 for every man, woman and child.
“Without new pharmaceuticals, the quality of some medical treatments will stagnate,” she said. “Without generic products, the cost of some medical treatments will remain high.”
The Commission justified its claim that market forces were not operating satisfactorily by noting that the number of novel medicines being placed on the market was declining. Between 1995 and 1999, an average of 40 novel molecular entities were launched annually. The figure was 28 over the next five years. To try to reverse the trend, the Commission and the European pharmaceuticals industry launched an innovative medicines initiative last month in the hope of increasing public and private funding for drug research.
Industry sources maintain that apart from the high cost and time involved in developing new products, European manufacturers also face tougher regulatory burdens than competitors in the US or in emerging economies such as India.
Ms Kroes’s decision to turn the spotlight on the pharmaceutical sector using her antitrust powers follows an announcement on Monday of a new investigation into Microsoft’s business practices, after the Commission had received complaints that the company was unfairly penalising competitors.
Pill box
— 28 new types of drugs went on sale between 2000 and 2004, far fewer than the 40 that hit the market from
— 1995 to 1999 AstraZeneca was fined ¤60 million for filing misleading information to patent offices to delay generic versions of its ulcer drug Losec for most of the 1990s

Generic Drugs Are Saving Money for Seniors in Medicare Part D

2008-01-16T18:28:00.000-05:00

Written By: Karina RollinsPublished In: Health Care NewsPublication Date: February 1, 2008Publisher: The Heartland Institute
Generic Drugs Are Saving Money for Seniors in Medicare Part DWritten By: Karina RollinsPublished In: Health Care NewsPublication Date: February 1, 2008Publisher: The Heartland Institute

The use of generic medicines is bringing down costs in Medicare's Part D prescription drug program, and Congress is considering a proposal to require pharmacies to use generics unless a doctor can prove brand-name drugs are medically necessary.
But analysts suggest the law might not be needed, because pharmacies already use generics whenever possible.

A November 14 report by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Office of the Inspector General on the use of generic medicines in Medicare's Part D prescription drug program showed significant cost savings.

Previous estimates had projected the program would cost the federal government $59 billion in 2006, the first year of the Part D program. The report notes costs in 2006 were an unexpectedly low $47 billion.

Generic drugs cost up to 71 percent less than their brand-name counterparts. According to the report, whenever generic equivalents to brand-name drugs were available, they were prescribed 88 percent of the time. Of all Part D prescriptions, 56 percent were filled with generic drugs.

Thirty-seven percent of prescription drugs used by Part D beneficiaries do not have a generic substitute.

Promise of Generics
Sen. Herb Kohl (D-WI), chairman of the Senate Special Committee on Aging, requested the report on use of generic drugs in January 2006.
"Generics, which cost a fraction of their brand-name counterparts, are a big part of the solution to health care costs that are spiraling out of control," Kohl stated in a November 14 news release. "When generic drugs are dispensed under Medicare Part D, it's a win-win for America's seniors and for the federal budget."

Kohl stated, "This report is promising, but there is more to be done to make sure affordable generic drugs are made available whenever possible to our seniors."
In January 2006, Kohl introduced the Generics First Act (S. 28), which would require all Part D prescriptions to be filled with a generic drug unless a doctor determines the brand medication is medically necessary. At press time, the bill was still pending.
Problem with Legislation

But some argue a generic-drugs mandate is no cure-all for high prices.
"Given that standard procedure at nearly all pharmacies already involves substituting generics, it seems unlikely this will produce significant savings for anyone," said Eli Lehrer, a senior fellow at the Competitive Enterprise Institute. "It really just affirms the status quo and may create a lot of unnecessary paperwork."

Medicare Part D Gap Coverage Now Available

2007-10-23T21:09:00.000-05:00

To any and all of those who have reached the dreaded "doughnut hole" in their Medicare prrescription drug coverage, fear not. Help has arrived! Promedica's Meds for Less now offers deeply discounted brand and generic drugs guaranteed to save you money. Please visit their web site for more information or call toll free 1-800-615-0868.

2007 Medicare Part D - Doughnut Hole Calculator

2007-08-15T14:10:00.000-05:00

Try one of our examples or your own scenerio ->Example 1 illustrates how the doughnut hole (coverage gap) works when the beneficiary only has monthly Rx costs. Example 2 showns that if the same monthly costs are paid on a quarterly basis, the total retail costs do not change, however, when one enters and leaves the coverage gap does changes. Example 3 shows an example of how to enter you medication costs if they are not consistent.
Examples1. Monthy Rx Costs only 2. Quarterly Rx Costs only 3. Combination of Rx Costs Your Own Rx Cost Scenerio
OR Enter Your Average Prescription Drug Costs:*
This is the actual retail cost of your covered prescriptions.Do not include non-covered prescriptions or non-prescription medications (ex: asprin or over-the-counter vitamins). We will add all of these costs together to determine your total annual retail prescription costs. Since we do not know when you are making these non-regular purchases, we will place these payments starting in month 1. You can find these values on your regular medicare part d statements or if you already know the annual costs, just enter the value in the annual costs field.
Paid Monthly:
Paid Quarterly:
Paid Semi-Annually:
Paid Annually:
Enter Your Plans Deductible:If your plan has a deductible, please enter it here. The 2007 standard deductible is $265.

The month inwhich your plan started usually January:*Most plans start in January. If you are just turning 65 or a Medicaid recipient, your plan may start in a month other than January.
January February March April May June July August September October November December
Enter your monthly premium, to have it calculated into the total:

Calculators Available:Plan Out of Pocket Cost Calculators: Doughnut Hole Calculators:
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SPAM Filter Activated? If you would like to have our Newsletter properly delivered, please add our email information (Team@NimBroker.com) to your SPAM Filter, Contact List, Sender List, or Address Book.This Medicare-PartD.com Doughnut Hole calculator is based on the 2007 CMS Standard Benefit Medicare Part D plan and designed to estimate when a Medicare Part D beneficiary would (1) enter and exit the coverage gap and (2) the potential prescription costs for the year. The actual time when a Medicare Part D beneficiary enters the Doughnut Hole and the costs associated with the plan may vary depending on the chosen Medicare Part D plan.
:: TopLast updated on: 08/07/2007

Discount drugs

More Generics Slow Rise in Drug Prices

2007-08-08T16:11:00.000-05:00

By STEPHANIE SAUL
Published: August 8, 2007
A quiet coup is taking place in American medicine cabinets. Prescription bottles bearing catchy brand names like Zoloft and Flonase are being pushed aside by tongue-twisting generics like sertraline and fluticasone propionate.

Discount Generics

Medicare plan increases use of costly drugs

2007-08-02T10:17:00.000-05:00

By Kim Dixon
Wed Aug 1, 10:25 AM ET

CHICAGO (Reuters) - New prescription drug coverage in the federal Medicare insurance plan for the elderly drove a boost in use of pricey brand-name drugs such as statins and ulcer medications, an analysis released on Tuesday said.

Medicare Part D Alternative

Medicare mistakes costing many seniors

2007-07-21T08:35:00.000-05:00

By ELLEN GABLER
egabler@journalsentinel.com
Posted: July 18, 2007
For the past year and half, Betty Ives has watched her Social Security checks shrink as the government deducts premiums for prescription drug coverage she is not receiving. Ives estimates she is out more than $1,000, and has been unable to get anyone to solve her problem.

Medicare Part D Alternative

Canadian drug flow subsides

2007-07-08T13:21:00.000-05:00

U.S. companies fight imports
Posted by the Asbury Park Press on 07/8/07
BY JAMES W. PRADO ROBERTS
STAFF WRITER

New Jersey has the highest concentration of pharmaceutical companies in the world, but Surf City senior citizen Anne D. Duney can't stand the price of drugs at her local pharmacy.

She found a cheaper route: Canadian pharmacies.

Locally, a three-month supply of her medication costs $682. That's almost double the cost charged by a Princeton Junction-based Web site, Medications4Less.com, that allowed Duney to fill her prescription in Canada.

The difference in price is "just an enormous amount of money," said Duney, a retired bank employee.

The New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs, which licenses state pharmacists and pharmacies, tried the Web site, too. It was less than impressed.

Medications4Less was closed by a judge in April following a sting operation by Consumer Affairs.

Although other states legally order drugs from Canada, New Jersey officials contend federal law bars Canadian pharmacies from shipping drugs to customers in the United States. They also said the company in British Columbia, Canada, that filled Duney's prescriptions, Ultra Care Pharmacy Ltd., wasn't licensed in New Jersey, and that it filled prescriptions incorrectly.

"The pharmaceutical industry would find it absolutely galling to have a Canadian export business right within their own hub in New Jersey," said Craig Holman, a lobbyist for Public Citizen, a Washington, D.C., consumer activist organization. "The industry is trying to do its best to get the government to enforce the law."

Acting Consumer Affairs Director Stephen B. Nolan declined an interview request, but his investigation is just another tear in the now-tattered Canadian drug export business.

Although Canada and most other developed countries strictly control drug prices, the U.S. pharmaceutical industry has successfully fought price controls and protected itself from imports, Holman said. Until last year, Holman noted, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security was seizing medicine mailed from Canada to U.S. patients.

"It's so unfair," Duney said. "You'd think you'd get your prescriptions here cheaper because the drugs are all made here."

When Congress created a Medicaid drug insurance plan in 2003, it also explicitly outlawed the reimportation of American-made drugs to consumers. Combined with other state and federal efforts to shut down exports from Canada, and measures taken by pharmaceutical companies themselves, the Canadian pharmacy export boom has turned into a bust.

For Canadian drug exporters, business fell to $186 million last year, a 60 percent drop from its 2004 peak, according to drug market researcher IMS Health of Connecticut.

"It's every man for himself," said David Mackay, the former executive director of the Canadian International Pharmacy Association.

For safety reasons, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration says, Duney and thousands of others like her should get their drugs from American pharmacies.

In most cases, the FDA says, U.S. regulators haven't signed off on the safety of the drugs, and they could be mishandled during shipment. Officials are also worried patients may be given dangerous, even deadly, counterfeits.

None of which matters to Duney, who believes that Canadian regulators are just as good as those in America. Many agree with her — in September, a Wall Street Journal poll found that 84 percent of respondents felt the drug import ban only increases pharmaceutical companies' bottom lines.

"If we're breaking the law, they're making us do it," said Duney, who has lived on Long Beach Island since 1959.

The shuttering of Medications4Less didn't stall Duney for long. She said one of her neighbors found her another low-cost Canadian pharmacy that has since refilled one of her prescriptions.

Highest retail prices

Americans make up more than 40 percent of the global pharmaceutical market, spending $275 billion on drugs in 2006, according to IMS Health. Those who pay retail for brand-name prescription medicine in this country pay the highest prices in the world.

In May, the new Democrat-controlled Congress was expected to push against the pharmaceutical lobby, but nullified a key measure that would have allowed importation of drugs from Canada and other countries, as long as the pharmacies were inspected by the FDA.

"The fact is, miracle drugs perform no miracles for people who can't afford them," U.S. Sen. Byron L. Dorgan, D-N.D., said when he introduced the legislation in January.

The business of shipping drugs from Canadian pharmacies exploded in 2003 when Americans combined their new confidence in buying over the Internet with Canadian price controls and a weak Canadian dollar.

Concerned that Canadian imports would weaken U.S. sales, many American pharmaceutical companies began to refuse to ship drugs to Canadian pharmacies that mailed them to U.S. customers.

That left Canadian pharmacies searching for resellers in other countries. Now the majority of drugs shipped to the United States by many pharmacies north of the border are obtained from other countries in Europe and elsewhere, said Mackay, the former head of the Canadian International Pharmacy Association.

The difficulties in obtaining new suppliers wiped out many Canadian Internet pharmacies, Mackay said. With the increasing value of the Canadian dollar and the Medicare prescription plan that took effect in 2006, the number of Canadian pharmacies that sell over the Internet to the United States has dropped from some 300 to around 50, said Mackay, who still has contacts in the industry.

But even at its peak, the Canadians had just 2 million customers in the United States, according to Mackay.

"We always wondered why the fuss for a half a percent of the market? Maybe it was all about what it could become, not what it was," Mackay said.

The fuss was clear to the FDA and the pharmaceutical industry.

Last August, the FDA warned consumers not to buy or use prescription drugs from two Canadian companies because testing had found that 10 drugs, including the cholesterol drug Lipitor, the osteoporosis drug Actonel and the breast-cancer drug Arimidex had been faked.

"It is frightening to think what could happen to a patient," if an international pharmacy shipped mislabeled or poorly made drugs into the country, said Hollie Gilroy, spokeswoman for the HealthCare Institute of New Jersey, the state's pharmaceutical lobby.

In addition, New Jersey, home to the headquarters of 18 leading pharmaceutical companies, benefits from the drug prices in the Unites States, Gilroy said.

Much of that income is spent developing new drugs and benefits the local economy. The economic impact of pharmaceuticals in New Jersey totaled $26.5 billion last year and resulted in the employment of almost 150,000 people, according to the HealthCare Institute.

"Here in the United States, there is a recognition that the brand name manufacturer does provide a service in discovering the drugs . . . and our government rewards that activity," Gilroy said.

Nevertheless, a number of states actively encourage or allow their residents to buy prescription drugs from Canada or elsewhere, including Nevada, Illinois, Wisconsin, Kansas, Missouri and Vermont.

Asked why Illinois considers their effort legal under federal law, a spokeswoman for that state's Department of Healthcare and Family Services said, "The federal government has never taken legal action against an individual for importing prescription drugs."

The AARP, the nation's largest advocacy organization with 38 million members, supports the importation of drugs from abroad — but only with FDA oversight.

"In the meantime, people are taking risks," said Jane Margesson, a spokeswoman for the New Jersey chapter.

Make Sure You Can Afford Medicare

2007-07-03T09:51:00.000-05:00

by Ellen Hoffman

With health-care costs skyrocketing and retiree health insurance disappearing, the best coverage that most aging retirees can hope for, once they turn 65, is Medicare. If you haven't focused on this issue lately, it's time to make sure that the still-rising costs are included in your financial plan for retirement.

There is a Medicare alternative.

The facts and numbers behind Moore's 'Sicko'

2007-07-03T08:39:00.000-05:00

By Kevin Freking and Linda A. Johnson, Associated Press
WASHINGTON — In many respects, Michael Moore's new movie, Sicko, is like a trial for those who oversee health care in the United States.
The industry — doctors, drug makers, hospitals, insurers — is charged with greed and putting personal interests above patients'. Moore heard from thousands of people who had maddening and heartbreaking brushes with this system.

Drug plan lower cost than Medicare

Senior group halting trips to purchase drugs from Canada

2007-07-03T08:29:00.000-05:00

The Associated Press - Monday, July 02, 2007
MINNEAPOLIS
The Minnesota senior citizens' group that for a dozen years organized regular trips north to Canada to buy cheaper prescription drugs may have made its last run.

Buying online - safely

Psychiatrists Top List in Drug Maker Gifts

2007-06-27T08:45:00.000-05:00

By GARDINER HARRIS
Published: June 27, 2007
WASHINGTON, June 26 — As states begin to require that drug companies disclose their payments to doctors for lectures and other services, a pattern has emerged: psychiatrists earn more money from drug makers than doctors in any other specialty.

How this money may be influencing psychiatrists and other doctors has become one of the most contentious issues in health care. For instance, the more psychiatrists have earned from drug makers, the more they have prescribed a new class of powerful medicines known as atypical antipsychotics to children, for whom the drugs are especially risky and mostly unapproved.

Become informed

Glaxo Case Goes Back to Lower Court

2007-06-08T08:23:00.000-05:00

Associated Press 06.07.07, 4:58 PM ET

The Minnesota Supreme Court weighed in Thursday on a long-standing dispute over internal documents from drug maker GlaxoSmithKline, telling a lower court to sift through the materials and decide whether any should become public.

These documents should become public. Drug companies are lying the American public.

Ninety five Percent of Drug Market Now Controlled by Three Corporations

2007-06-01T10:32:00.000-05:00

By Russ Britt, MarketWatch
Last Update: 12:27 AM ET May 30, 2007
LOS ANGELES (MarketWatch) -- They are known as the "Big Three" in the pharmaceutical wholesale industry, and their control over the market is drawing the attention of lawmakers, the scrutiny of regulators and the wrath of smaller rivals who say they've had enough.

Increase competition, buy overseas. www.nvo.com/promedica

Hispanics And African Americans Among Those At Risk Due To High Cost Of Prescription Drugs Says AARP National Study

2007-05-27T11:06:00.000-05:00

The high costs of prescription drugs led many Hispanics and African Americans to take desperate measures, like delaying filling a prescription or skipping doses, according to a new AARP national study of adults 18+. The study also found a high level of support in the Hispanic and African American communities for state legislation to make prescription drugs more affordable.

U.S. demand for Canadian drugs drops

2007-05-27T11:04:00.001-05:00

By BARRIE MCKENNA
Toronto Globe and Mail
Thursday, May 24, 2007

The once-booming business of selling Canadian prescription drugs to Americans has shrunk in half since 2004-05 as the surging Canadian dollar and better U.S. government health insurance erode the price gap.

State Drops Plan For Arkansas Rx Program

2007-05-27T11:01:00.000-05:00

LITTLE ROCK -- The state has dropped its planned Arkansas Rx discount drug program, due to a lack of interest among residents eligible to participate.

Low-Income Medicare Beneficiaries Enrolled In More-Costly Prescription Drug Plans, Study Finds

2007-05-27T10:59:00.000-05:00

Medicare randomly enrolls low-income beneficiaries in prescription drug plans that cost the federal government as much as $1,400 more than the least-costly plans, according to a Consumers Union study released Tuesday, CongressDaily reports. For example, an analysis of coverage in the Boston area found that subsidy costs for the plans ranged from $2,319 to $3,725 annually.

Consumers Union senior policy analyst Bill Vaughan said $2 billion could be saved over five years by changing how CMS signs up beneficiaries in drug plans using what the group calls "intelligent auto enrollment." Under Consumers Union's solution, low-income beneficiaries would be enrolled in the three or four drug plans that offer the lowest prices on the most commonly prescribed drugs. "This will be an issue you'll see later in the year as a way to pay for things," Vaughan said, referring to efforts to raise money to delay scheduled Medicare payment cuts to physicians and reauthorize SCHIP.

Also on Tuesday, the House Energy and Commerce Health Subcommittee held a hearing to find ways to increase enrollment in a Medicare savings plan that helps low-income beneficiaries pay premiums and in a subsidy program that helps low-income beneficiaries with drug costs. Several groups, including AARP and the Medicare Rights Center, proposed the elimination of an asset test that requires seniors to have below a certain amount of savings to qualify for assistance, according to CongressDaily (Edney, CongressDaily. 5/16).

The Consumers Union study is available online.

Senate Debates U.S. Imports of Lower-Cost Medications

2007-05-06T10:53:00.001-05:00

(Update1)
By Justin Blum
May 3 (Bloomberg) -- Legislation that would allow consumers to purchase cheaper imported medicines overcame a procedural hurdle in the U.S. Senate as lawmakers debated whether the measure would result in the sale of unsafe drugs.
The Senate today voted 63-28 to consider an amendment to drug safety legislation that would change the law to allow prescription medications from other countries, where prices can be as much as 70 percent less than in the U.S.
Importing drugs from countries such as Canada has been debated by lawmakers for years. Savings to consumers and the government could total $50 billion over 10 years, said Senator Byron Dorgan, a North Dakota Democrat who sponsored the measure.
``We ought not be paying the highest prices in the world for prescription drugs,'' Dorgan said on the Senate floor. ``That's just unfair.''
President George W. Bush's administration threatened on Tuesday to veto legislation that allows importation without resolving safety concerns identified in a 2004 report by the Health and Human Services Department. Such a measure could result in ``unsafe, unapproved and counterfeit drugs being imported into the United States,'' according to a White House statement.
Drugs would be imported only from countries with strong safety records and additional steps would be taken to ensure the authenticity of medications, supporters of the measure said. Only products already approved for sale in the U.S. by the Food and Drug Administration could be imported under the legislation, the supporters said.
Allowing imports would threaten consumers' health by permitting sales of drugs that are harmful and don't work, according to opponents. They said the legislation also could reduce drugmakers' revenue, forcing them to spend less on research.
Requiring Certification
Senator Thad Cochran, a Mississippi Republican, introduced an amendment to modify Dorgan's proposal by requiring U.S. regulators to certify that imports would be safe and reduce costs. Supporters said Cochran's amendment was an effort to make the bill ineffective because the Bush administration wouldn't provide such assurances.
``We have an overriding responsibility to make sure that medications purchased by American citizens in the United States are safe,'' Cochran said.
Drugmakers probably would increase prices in countries exporting medications to the U.S., resulting in only temporary savings, Cochran said.
Travel to Canada
Under U.S. law, consumers and pharmacies can't import prescription drugs. Regulators have focused enforcement on larger illegal shipments of medications from other countries.
Some Americans defy the law by ordering drugs from other countries on the Internet and by traveling to pharmacies in Canada, where the government negotiates drug prices.
The U.S. doesn't prevent consumers from returning from Canada with medications. Authorities have cracked down on some shipments from online drug stores based in other countries, lawmakers said.
A Canadian Web site, canadapharmacy.com, today offered 90 tablets of the 10-milligram version of Lipitor, the cholesterol drug made by Pfizer Inc., for $135. That compares with $241.50 at drugstore.com, a U.S. online pharmacy.
The Senate debated the import legislation as part of a drug safety bill that would give the FDA the power to temporarily prohibit advertising of drugs with harmful side effects and to force drugmakers to undertake new studies of medications after they are approved. The measure also would renew and increase fees paid by drugmakers to speed approval of applications to sell new medications.
Senators said they expected a final vote next week on the drug safety measure. Similar legislation hasn't been taken up in the House.

U.S. Senate courting veto as drug imports measure survives challenge

2007-05-06T10:45:00.000-05:00

Beth Gorham, Canadian PressPublished: Friday, May 04, 2007
Article tools

WASHINGTON (CP) - The U.S. Senate is courting a presidential veto on prescription drug imports from Canada. The latest bid to legalize imports survived a major challenge Thursday in the upper house, where senators endorsed the idea by a vote of 63-28.
But there will be other hurdles for the amendment allowing more access to lower-priced medicine from Canada, part of a broader bill related to the Food and Drug Administration.
And even if it survives, President George W. Bush has vowed to veto the plan, also opposed by pharmaceutical companies with profit margins on the line.
Democrats, who now control Congress, have made legalizing cheaper bulk imports from Canada and other countries a priority.
A similar measure has been introduced in the House of Representatives.
"We are paying the highest prices for brand-name prescription drugs in the world and that's not fair," said Senator Byron Dorgan of North Dakota, who sponsored the amendment.
"Let's make the global economy work for everybody."
The FDA and some legislators argue imports open the door to tainted or counterfeit drugs and there are other ways to reduce drug costs.
But Senator Bernie Sanders from Vermont, who started taking his constituents across the border to get drugs in the 1990s, said prices won't drop enough while the pharmaceutical lobby wields such power.
A recent Washington Post article estimated big drug companies spent US$900 million lobbying legislators and administrators between 1998 and 2005, while making more than $319 million in campaign contributions from 1990 to 2006.
"The time is long, long overdue for the U.S. Senate and the U.S. House to stand up the pharmaceutical industry, the most powerful lobby in Washington, and say enough is enough," said Sanders.
Sanders is also pushing a measure authorizing the government to negotiate prices for drugs developed with federal funding.
The Senate measure is part of a wider bill giving the FDA more regulatory powers over prescription drugs and reauthorizing the system of user fees the agency charges drug companies and manufacturers of medical devices.
Some groups in Canada worry that legalizing imports will spark a major increase in U.S. demand, causing supply problems north of the border.
Others say there won't be a big crunch since many of the drugs that Canadian companies send south are supplied by some 30 other countries.
Still, many say federal Conservatives should move to ban bulk exports to the United States.
Canadian mail-order pharmacies make C$1 billion a year by employing about 3,000 people to supply some three million Americans.

Canadian Drugs

Ranbaxy receives approval to manufacture Pravastatin Sodium tablets in U.S.

2007-05-03T10:07:00.000-05:00

Pharmaceutical News
Published: Sunday, 29-Apr-2007
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Ranbaxy Pharmaceuticals has announced that RLL has received approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to manufacture and market Pravastatin Sodium Tablets (Pravastatin), 10 mg, 20 mg, 40 mg and 80 mg, with 180-day market exclusivity in the U.S. healthcare system for the 80 mg strength.
The Office of Generic Drugs, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, has determined the Ranbaxy formulation to be bioequivalent and, therefore, therapeutically equivalent to the reference listed drug Pravachol(R) by Bristol Myers Squibb. Total annual market sales for all strengths were $1.19 billion (IMS - MAT: December 2006).

Pravastatin is indicated in the treatment of primary prevention of coronary events, such as in hypercholesterolemic patients without clinically evident coronary heart disease. Pravastatin is also indicated to reduce the risk of myocardial infarction, reduce the risk of undergoing myocardial revascularization procedures and reduce the risk of cardiovascular mortality with no increase in death from non-cardiovascular causes. It is also indicated for treatment in the secondary prevention of cardiovascular events, such as in patients with clinically evident coronary heart disease, to reduce the risk of stroke and stroke/transient ischemic attack (TIA), and slow the progression of coronary atherosclerosis.

"Ranbaxy is pleased to now offer Pravastatin as an affordable generic alternative that will have a measurable impact on the U.S. healthcare system. Importantly, Ranbaxy will have the exclusive right to market Pravastatin 80 mg tablets for 180 days under the Ranbaxy label. Ranbaxy's Pravastatin will be manufactured at Ohm Laboratories in New Brunswick, New Jersey and will be made available through wholesalers, distributors and pharmacies on a nationwide basis," said Jim Meehan, Vice President of Sales and Marketing for RPI.

Ranbaxy Pharmaceuticals Inc. (RPI) based in Jacksonville, Florida, is a wholly owned subsidiary of Ranbaxy Laboratories Limited (RLL), India's largest pharmaceutical company. RPI is engaged in the sale and distribution of generic and branded prescription products in the U.S. healthcare system.

Ranbaxy Laboratories Limited, headquartered in India, is an integrated, research based, international pharmaceutical company producing a wide range of quality, affordable generic medicines, trusted by healthcare professionals and patients across geographies.

Ranbaxy's continued focus on R&D has resulted in several approvals in developed markets and significant progress in New Drug Discovery Research. The Company's foray into Novel Drug Delivery Systems has led to proprietary "platform technologies", resulting in a number of products under development. The Company is serving its customers in over 125 countries and has an expanding international portfolio of affiliates, joint ventures and alliances, ground operations in 49 countries and manufacturing operations in 9 countries.

www.ranbaxy.com/

www.nvo.com/promedica

Wal-Mart in talks to directly source generic drugs from India - report

2007-05-03T08:39:00.000-05:00

Forbes May 1, 2007

MUMBAI (Thomson Financial) - Wal-Mart Stores Inc is in talks with major Indian pharmaceutical companies to directly source generic drugs from India for global supply, the Economic Times reported, citing industry sources.

Domestic companies in advanced talks with Wal-Mart (nyse: WMT - news - people ) include Ranbaxy, Dr Reddy's Labs, Cipla, Lupin and Sun Pharma, the report said.

The paper quoted Wal-Mart's chief executive designate for India operations Raj Jain as saying: 'There are numerous categories that our global procurement office is evaluating such as pharmaceuticals and consumer electronics.'

The retail major currently sources 600 mln usd worth of goods directly from India.

Garden State Business Briefs

2007-05-03T08:24:00.000-05:00

Thursday, May 03, 2007
Woodcliff-based Barr Pharmaceuticals, the world's third-largest generic drugmaker, announced it was moving its executive offices to neighboring Montvale.
Bruce Downey, Barr's chief executive, and other top executives will occupy the new space -- 146,000 square feet -- at 225 Summit Ave., adjacent to the Garden State Parkway.

Last year, Barr paid $2.5billion to acquire the Croatian drugmaker Pliva. The deal gave Barr, which has 300 New Jersey employees, manufacturing lines in Poland, India and Croatia.
It is the No. 3 generic company behind Israel's Teva Pharmaceutical Industries and Sandoz, a unit of Switzerland's Novartis.
"Barr Pharmaceuticals' significant, recent growth necessitated a larger space to accommodate its regional employee base," said Mitti Liebersohn of Cushman & Wakefield, the commercial broker that represented Barr in lease negotiations with the landlord's broker, CB Richard Ellis.
-- George E. Jordan

Prescription Drug User Fee Reauthorization Bill Could Face Veto if It Contains Provisions To Allow Drug Reimportation, Bush Administration Says

2007-05-03T08:21:00.000-05:00

[May 02, 2007]
The Bush administration on Monday said President Bush would veto a bill (S 1082) to reauthorize the Prescription Drug User Fee Act, which will expire on Sept. 30, in the event that the legislation includes a provision to allow prescription drug reimportation from other nations, CongressDaily reports (Edney, CongressDaily, 5/1). The legislation, which the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee approved in April, would reauthorize PDUFA through 2012. The bill, sponsored by committee Chair Edward Kennedy (D-Mass.), in large part follows a proposal that FDA submitted to Congress earlier this year under which pharmaceutical companies would pay the agency about $393 million in user fees in fiscal year 2008, compared with $305 million in FY 2007. The legislation increased the amount in the proposal by $50 million. According to the Congressional Budget Office, the bill, which also includes a number of prescription drug safety provisions, would cost $547 million over five years (Kaiser Daily Health Policy Report, 5/1).

Reimportation Amendment
Sens. Byron Dorgan (D-N.D.) and Olympia Snowe (R-Maine) have proposed an amendment that would attach to the legislation a reimportation bill (S 242) they introduced in January (Young, The Hill, 5/2). The bill would allow consumers, pharmacies and wholesalers to purchase FDA-approved prescription drugs that are manufactured at FDA-inspected facilities in 19 industrialized nations. Under the legislation, which would establish a regulatory framework for reimportation, FDA would regulate shipments of prescription drugs reimported into the U.S. for commercial or personal use. The bill also would require FDA to inspect Canadian prescription drug exporters 12 times annually (Kaiser Daily Health Policy Report, 3/8).

In a Statement of Administration Policy, the Bush administration said that reimportation would result in the shipment of "unsafe, unapproved and counterfeit drugs" to the U.S. (CongressDaily, 5/1). The statement said that the Bush administration supports the remainder of the reauthorization bill.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) on Tuesday night filed for a cloture vote on the reimportation amendment. Before the cloture vote, supporters of the reimportation amendment might agree to withdraw the measure from the reauthorization bill in exchange for a separate vote at a later time. Snowe said, "There may be an agreement to consider it separately later this year," adding, "We're prepared to consider it separately if we can get an agreement on it" (Armstrong, CQ Today, 5/1). Dorgan said, "I'm willing to hold off if I get a date certain." He added that the amendment has adequate support to pass (Young, The Hill, 5/2).

Additional Amendments
Sen. Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) on Tuesday said he would agree not to propose an amendment that would attach to the reauthorization legislation a bill (S 623) he introduced earlier this year with Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-N.Y.) to allow FDA to approve "comparable" and "interchangeable" generic versions of biotechnology medications through an "abbreviated" process in exchange for a separate vote at a later time (Johnson, CongressDaily, 5/2). I

In addition, Sen. Jim DeMint (R-S.C.) has proposed an amendment that would require FDA to conduct safety studies on the abortion medication mifepristone within a specific period of time, and Sen. Richard Durbin (D-Ill.) has proposed an amendment that would increase FDA oversight of food safety (CQ Today, 5/1). Senate leaders said that they hope to hold a final vote on the reauthorization bill by Thursday, but Republican and Democratic aides said that debate on the legislation likely will extend into next week (CongressDaily, 5/2).

Criticism of Rx Drug Ad Provision
In related news, the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America has partnered with broadcast groups and others to try to eliminate a provision in the reauthorization bill that would permit FDA to require pharmaceutical companies to wait two years before they air ads for new medications, the Washington Times reports. The Advertising Coalition -- which includes ad groups, broadcast groups, newspaper and magazine publishers and food companies -- this week in a letter to senators said that the provision would block patient access to important information on medications and violate First Amendment rights.

Billy Tauzin, president and CEO of PhRMA, said, "Direct-to-consumer advertising empowers patients by increasing their awareness of diseases and available treatments. Banning this information -- even for just a couple of years -- is not in the best interest of patients and physicians" (Lopes, Washington Times, 5/2).

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Senate Blocks Legislation That Would Allow Federal Negotiations Of Medicare Prescription Drug Prices

2007-04-23T15:49:00.000-05:00

Senate Democrats on Wednesday failed to obtain the 60 votes needed to begin to debate legislation (S 3) that would allow the government to negotiate prices with pharmaceutical companies under the Medicare prescription drug benefit, the Washington Post reports (Murray, Washington Post, 4/19). The 55-42 vote for cloture included the support of all Senate Democrats and Republican Sens. Norm Coleman (Minn.), Susan Collins (Maine), Chuck Hagel (Neb.), Gordon Smith (Ore.), Olympia Snowe (Maine) and Arlen Specter (Pa.) (Johnson, CongressDaily, 4/19). Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) changed his vote to "nay" after it became clear that the cloture vote was going to fail. Voting against cloture and making a floor motion to reconsider allows Reid to bring the bill back for another vote in the future (Young, The Hill, 4/19). Senate Finance Committee Chair Max Baucus (D-Mont.), a co-sponsor of the bill, said, "It's beyond me why the Senate would not choose to stand up for seniors." Referring to more expansive House-approved legislation (HR 4) that would require the HHS secretary to negotiate Medicare drug prices, Baucus said, "Concerns about a bill from the House should not frighten senators into silence on an issue this important" (Armstrong, CQ Today, 4/18). Reid said, "The Department of Veterans Affairs is able to negotiate for lower-priced drugs. HMOs can negotiate. Wal-Mart can negotiate. Why in the world shouldn't Medicare be able to do that?" Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas) criticized the bill, saying it was "a step down the road to a single-payer, government-run health care system." Senate Finance Committee ranking member Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) said that HHS "has had very little experience and a dismal track record" at determining what to pay for drugs, adding, "Private competition works" (Pear, New York Times, 4/19).
Looking Ahead
"Few experts believe that the Senate vote will quell demands for government intervention to bring down drug prices," even though the Medicare prescription drug benefit "has proved popular, and it is costing less than initially estimated," the Los Angeles Times reports (Alonso-Zaldivar, Los Angeles Times, 4/19). Baucus said that there "will be a time" to revisit the issue (Henderson, Boston Globe, 4/19). House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) said, "Democrats will keep fighting until this bill is signed into law and seniors and people with disabilities have access to affordable prescription drugs" (The Hill, 4/19). AARP, which has lobbied in support of the bill, said, "Senators should know this issue is not going away. No amount of campaign money can trump the will of 90% of Americans" (Freking, AP/Detroit Free Press, 4/19). Ken Johnson, senior vice president of the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America -- which opposes the legislation -- said, "This issue is not going away." He added, "Every time it pops up ... it gives us an opportunity to remind Americans, as well as Congress, that the Medicare prescription drug program has been a resounding success so far" (The Hill, 4/19). The Congressional Budget Office has said that both the Senate and House proposals "would have a negligible effect on federal spending" unless the HHS secretary were allowed to use a formulary or other tools to lower prices. President Bush has said he would veto either piece of legislation (New York Times, 4/19).

Drug Prices Rising, Study Finds
In related news, Families USA on Wednesday released a study finding that prices for the 15 most popular prescription drugs provided by Medicare increased an average of 9.2% during the last year at the nation's five largest Medicare drug providers, CQ HealthBeat reports. For the study, Families USA compared the lowest drug prices charged by United Healthcare, Humana, WellPoint-Unicare, Member Health and WellCare in April 2006 and April 2007. The findings are based on prices that the insurers reported to CMS. Ron Pollack, executive director of Families USA, in the release said, "Contrary to promises made last year by the administration, Medicare Part D prices skyrocketed last year, ... making drugs increasingly unaffordable for seniors and ... fleecing America's taxpayers." CMS spokesperson Jeff Nelligan in a statement said that the report "neglects the generous cost-sharing assistance provided by the Part D benefit and contradicts other analyses which suggest that Part D has insulated Medicare beneficiaries from real increases in drug prices." Nelligan added that "90% of beneficiaries are enrolled in Part D plans with flat copays that are locked in for the year" (Carey, CQ HealthBeat, 4/18).

Broadcast Coverage
Three broadcast programs reported on the Senate vote. Summaries appear below.

American Public Media's "Marketplace": The segment includes comments from Bob Laszewski of Health Policy and Strategy Associates, Drew Nannis of AARP and Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) (Palmer, "Marketplace," American Public Media, 4/18). Audio and a transcript of the segment are available online.

C-SPAN's "Washington Journal": The segment includes a discussion with Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio) ("Washington Journal," C-SPAN, 4/19). Video of the segment is available online.

NPR's "All Things Considered": The segment includes comments from Baucus, Grassley, Snowe, Sen. Jon Kyl (R-Ariz.) and Wyden (Rovner, "All Things Considered," NPR, 4/18). Audio of the segment is available online.

With more options, Medicare coverage getting confusing

2007-04-23T15:44:00.000-05:00

By JENNIFER L. BOEN, News-Sentinel (Fort Wayne, Ind.)
First published: Monday, April 23, 2007

FORT WAYNE, Ind. -- Franklin Perkins of Fort Wayne has learned the hard way that not all Medicare-type plans are created equal. His message to others: "Buyer beware."

AARP to track Senate vote on Medicare Rx bargaining bill

2007-04-18T10:28:00.000-05:00

Pharmaceutical News
Published: Tuesday, 17-Apr-2007
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Today, AARP will be sending the following letter from CEO Bill Novelli to every member of the U.S. Senate alerting them that the association will be recording the upcoming Senate vote on a bill to allow Medicare to negotiate for lower prescription drug prices.

According to exit polls, roughly 1 out of every 4 voters in the past election was a member of AARP. "Nearly 90 percent of voting-age Americans believes Medicare should have the power to bargain for lower drug prices. The American people need and deserve to know where their Senators stand on this widely supported issue," said AARP CEO Bill Novelli.
Following is the text of the letter sent by Novelli to Congress: April 13, 2007 Dear Senator:

On behalf of AARP's over 38 million members, we urge you to support S. 3, the Medicare Fair Prescription Drug Price Act of 2007. This legislation will build upon the strong foundation of the Medicare prescription drug law by enabling the Secretary of HHS to negotiate for lower prescription drug prices on behalf of Medicare beneficiaries, increasing transparency, and encouraging greater use of evidence based medicine. Enactment of this legislation is another important step toward further lowering drug prices for Medicare beneficiaries.

Since the implementation of the Medicare Part D program -- which AARP strongly supports -- tens of millions of Medicare beneficiaries have had access to more affordable prescription drugs. AARP believes we must use all tools to restrain soaring drug prices to ensure continued affordability of the program to both Medicare beneficiaries and all taxpayers. One way to do that is to further strengthen the negotiations that individual plans undertake with drug manufacturers by enabling the Secretary to negotiate on behalf of Medicare beneficiaries. This issue enjoys widespread public support, as demonstrated by a recent AARP poll showing 86 percent of individuals -- across all political parties -- support legislation enabling the Secretary to negotiate on behalf of Medicare beneficiaries. Such negotiating authority will be particularly useful in those cases -- such as the six protected categories and classes of drugs -- for which plans must cover all or most drugs within the therapeutic class, and other areas for which there is limited competition.

The legislation gives Medicare the negotiating leverage granted to private purchasers of prescription drugs by repealing the noninterference language, while at the same time continuing the prohibition against the Secretary requiring a particular formulary. This preserves the competitive nature of the drug benefit and allows private plans to design formularies that best meet the needs of their enrollees. In addition, the legislation would allow Congressional support agencies access to Part D pricing and claims data to ensure better comparative analysis of the discounts and price concessions available to Medicare. Finally, the legislation would encourage plans' own pharmacy and therapeutic committees to use comparative effectiveness information when designing plan formularies.

Older Americans and their families are counting on Congress to do everything possible to help make prescription drugs more affordable and accessible to beneficiaries under the MMA. We look forward to working with you and your colleagues on both sides of the aisle to enact into law secretarial negotiating authority that helps plans further reduce the cost of prescription drugs for Medicare beneficiaries.

For your information, our members have also expressed strong interest in knowing how their elected officials vote on key issues that affect older Americans. As part of our ongoing effort to let our members know of action taken on key issues, we will be informing them how their Senators vote when S. 3, The Medicare Fair Prescription Drug Price Act of 2007, comes to the Senate floor. Similar action was taken earlier this year for the vote in the House of Representatives. Thank you for your consideration. Sincerely, William D. Novelli Chief Executive Officer

WASHINGTON — Senate Republicans appear to be able to block a bill that would let the government negotiate for lower drug prices under Medicare.

2007-04-18T10:25:00.000-05:00

Senate Republicans say the current prescription drug program is working fine and has saved money. They are backed by the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office, which recently predicted the bill would have only a "negligible effect" on the government's cost of buying drugs under Medicare.

The bill is a top priority for Democrats, who say it could lower the cost of prescription drugs for the elderly and the disabled. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid said any effort to block it would be "a shame."

Supporters will need 60 votes to overcome expected Republican opposition when a key vote is held Wednesday.

President Bush opposes the Senate bill and a stronger House measure that would require the government to negotiate for better prices.

Lilly invests $150 million in Singapore facility

2007-03-27T09:53:00.000-05:00

27th March 2007
By Victoria Harrison
Eli Lilly is to invest $150 million in order to expand its research unit in Singapore and develop new treatments for cancer and diabetes.
Lilly said the new facility would be known as the Lilly-Singapore Center for Drug Discovery and it aims to identify two potential drug candidates from its Singapore center within five years. The center will also research epigenetic biology and adult stem cell biology.
on error resume next

Lilly follows other pharmaceutical companies, such as Novartis and GlaxoSmithKline, by investing in Singapore. The expansion will increase the number of scientists there by 150.The facility was established in 2002 and is managed under a partnership with Singapore's Economic Development Board.

2007-03-26T10:09:00.000-05:00

By Helen Altonn
A popular drug used cosmetically to fight wrinkles is being tested as a pain medicine for children undergoing limb lengthening or orthopedic corrections at Shriners Hospitals for Children.
"The project is very exciting because Botox (Botulinum toxin type A) relaxes muscles," said Dr. Ellen Raney, orthopedic surgeon and principal investigator of the study at Shriners' Honolulu hospital.
"A lot of what we're doing is about stretching the muscles, and since Botox relaxes the muscles, patients have less pain and faster return to recovery."
Ramona Fillman, research coordinator, said a two-year pilot phase began in 2004 for 16 patients and the Honolulu hospital was approved for 32 children in an expanded study that began in January.
The patients' quality of life, amount of pain, physical function and how fast they're up and back to normal activities is being evaluated, she said.
The Montreal Shriners Hospital launched the study to see whether Botox is helpful because physicians around the world had reported using it for pain management, Fillman said.
Besides Honolulu and Montreal Shriners hospitals, those in Portland and Philadelphia, the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto and DuPont Institute in Delaware are participating in the study.
Patients ages 5 to 21 years old undergoing any limb lengthening or surgery for lower-extremity orthopedic deformities are eligible for the study.
Patients are assigned randomly to Botox or a placebo (saline water), which is injected into their muscles at the time of surgery, Raney said.
All patients are offered pain medications, and they can push a button to get medicine the first few days after surgery, she said. "We will chart the level of pain in a diary and how much pain medicine they ask for."
The study is being done independently of the company that sells the drug, Raney said. It will involve a total of about 150 children and is targeted for completion in December 2009.
"If it becomes clear that it's (Botox) a big advantage, we can actually stop the study and begin using it."
Botox has been used for many years to treat muscle spasticity in children with cerebral palsy. It also has been injected into muscles around the skull to relieve headaches, Raney said.
Only the one injection at surgery is given and only the Shriners pharmacist and statistician know whether it is Botox or a placebo, Fillman said.
Patients receive standard care and physical therapy and are followed for three months after the corrective procedure, she said.
Families are asked to complete questionnaires about the child's pain, quality of life and other aspects.
Results of the pilot study haven't been released, but "some indicators are looking very positive," Fillman said.

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Botox might relieve pain in child surgery

2007-03-26T09:58:00.000-05:00

By Helen Altonnhaltonn@starbulletin.com
A popular drug used cosmetically to fight wrinkles is being tested as a pain medicine for children undergoing limb lengthening or orthopedic corrections at Shriners Hospitals for Children.
"The project is very exciting because Botox (Botulinum toxin type A) relaxes muscles," said Dr. Ellen Raney, orthopedic surgeon and principal investigator of the study at Shriners' Honolulu hospital.
"A lot of what we're doing is about stretching the muscles, and since Botox relaxes the muscles, patients have less pain and faster return to recovery."
Ramona Fillman, research coordinator, said a two-year pilot phase began in 2004 for 16 patients and the Honolulu hospital was approved for 32 children in an expanded study that began in January.
The patients' quality of life, amount of pain, physical function and how fast they're up and back to normal activities is being evaluated, she said.
The Montreal Shriners Hospital launched the study to see whether Botox is helpful because physicians around the world had reported using it for pain management, Fillman said.
Besides Honolulu and Montreal Shriners hospitals, those in Portland and Philadelphia, the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto and DuPont Institute in Delaware are participating in the study.
Patients ages 5 to 21 years old undergoing any limb lengthening or surgery for lower-extremity orthopedic deformities are eligible for the study.
Patients are assigned randomly to Botox or a placebo (saline water), which is injected into their muscles at the time of surgery, Raney said.
All patients are offered pain medications, and they can push a button to get medicine the first few days after surgery, she said. "We will chart the level of pain in a diary and how much pain medicine they ask for."
The study is being done independently of the company that sells the drug, Raney said. It will involve a total of about 150 children and is targeted for completion in December 2009.
"If it becomes clear that it's (Botox) a big advantage, we can actually stop the study and begin using it."
Botox has been used for many years to treat muscle spasticity in children with cerebral palsy. It also has been injected into muscles around the skull to relieve headaches, Raney said.
Only the one injection at surgery is given and only the Shriners pharmacist and statistician know whether it is Botox or a placebo, Fillman said.
Patients receive standard care and physical therapy and are followed for three months after the corrective procedure, she said.
Families are asked to complete questionnaires about the child's pain, quality of life and other aspects.
Results of the pilot study haven't been released, but "some indicators are looking very positive," Fillman said.

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Online drug loss hard pill to swallow

2007-03-22T08:16:00.000-05:00

Michelle Lang, CanWest News ServicePublished: Wednesday, March 21, 2007
CALGARY — Dozens of Canadian Internet pharmacies have closed shop or laid off staff after sales at the country’s online drugstores plunged by nearly 50% last year.
A report released Wednesday by IMS Health, a company that tracks pharmaceutical sales, suggests Internet pharmacies sold only $211-million worth of prescriptions into the U.S. in 2006, a steep drop from sales of $420-million in 2005.
The declining revenues forced about 30 online drugstores — whose chief business was selling cheap Canadian medication to U.S. seniors — to close around the country, according to the Canadian International Pharmacy Association.
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"It had a huge impact on the industry," said Gord Haugh, general manager of the association, who estimates there are still 35 significant players in the business.
The dramatic drop in sales, largely the result of a new American drug plan for seniors, also forced widespread layoffs. For instance, one Calgary-based company, Total Care Pharmacy, let go more than half of its 100 employees.
"If you were a large entity like ourselves, you were able to weather the storm, decrease staff and survive," said Dave Robertson, who owns Total Care.
"The problem for the small players was they didn't have the ability to cut back much. They went bankrupt or sold their business to a larger player."
The country's Internet pharmacy industry has been at the centre of an ongoing controversy, with critics charging the business threatens Canada’s price-controlled drug supply.
The former Liberal government even moved to clamp down on the business, introducing a bill to ban the bulk export of prescription drugs. The bill died after the government fell.
Prime Minister Stephen Harper's Conservatives have not signalled what action, if any, they may take on the issue.
Wednesday's IMS report suggests the industry was hit with declining sales after the U.S. introduced a new Medicare prescription plan in late 2005. The plan extended medication coverage to some 42 million under-insured Americans, many of them seniors, said the IMS report.
The rising Canadian dollar and increased competition from Internet pharmacies in other countries were other factors behind the drop in sales.
"It's kind of like the perfect storm, there were several factors converging," said Ian Therriault, senior vice president with IMS Health.
Therriault predicted sales for the industry will remain at current levels due to the new competition from other countries.
But groups like the Canadian International Pharmacy Association argue their members are already seeing business pick up. Haugh said the American medicare plan has a cap on the amount of claims patients can make and, as a result, many U.S. customers are returning to Internet pharmacies.

Botox used on necks

2007-03-20T09:34:00.000-05:00

NEW YORK, March 19 (UPI) -- A New York dermatologist said Americans are spending as much as $1,000 to have Botox injected into their necks.
Neil Sadick, president of the Cosmetic Surgery Foundation, said in addition to being used on furrowed brows and foreheads, Botox can smooth horizontal wrinkles and diminish vertical cords in the neck, USA Today reported.
Sadick said he has used the procedure on dozens of patients, most of them women in their late 40s and 50s with the chin-to-chest bands that emerge with aging.
According to Sadick, Botox relaxes the muscles that shrink the bands.
Plastic surgeon David Watts of Vineland, N.J., told USA Today Botox won't work for those with "a really heavy turkey gobbler."
When people with loose folds on their necks come to Watts, he does a combination of Botox and a mini facelift.
Copyright 2007 by United Press International. All Rights Reserved.

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Botox Used at Scripps La Jolla to Help Back Pain

2007-03-20T09:29:00.000-05:00

Millions of Americans suffer from back pain, but could Botox be the answer?Now, the stuff that is used to get rid of wrinkles is being used at Scripps La Jolla to give patients relief from chronic back pain.Hank Coleman loves to surf, but chronic back pain is keeping him out of the water. In addition to medication and other treatments, Coleman said he's tried back surgery, physical therapy, and exercise.Now, Coleman is trying Botox, the same drug used to get rid of wrinkles. Dr. Joseph Shurman, chairman of pain management at Scripps Memorial Hospital in La Jolla, says Coleman is not alone when it comes to back pain."It's probably the number one type of patient we see in our pain clinic and in other pain clinics is chronic back pain," Shurman said.When injected into muscles in Coleman's back, the Botox can stop or reduce muscle spasms."The concept is to have a muscle contraction," said Shurman. "You have this chemical that's released from one nerve that goes to a muscle called acetylcholine, Botox interferes with that, therefore you get relaxation."Dr. Shurman says the use of Botox to treat back pain is an off-label use of the drug, which means that it has not been approved by the FDA. That means that some insurance companies may not cover it.Dr. Shurman says the Botox can take a week or two to work, and that Coleman will need to come back approximately every three months for more injections."His biggest problem is spasm in one particular area and we've done local injections with local anesthetics and he gets relief and the concept is, could we get him more prolonged relief with the Botox?" Shurman said.Coleman says he hopes the Botox injections will give him more time to do the things he loves by reducing his back pain. Coleman reported recently that his pain is reduced, but not completely gone yet.Dr. Shurman said that if you suffer from chronic back pain, you should talk to a doctor about options and possible side effects from using Botox.

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Health on the Hill from kaisernetwork.org and CQ | CQ's Carey Discusses Reimportation, SCHIP Funding, Military Health Care

2007-03-13T14:11:00.000-05:00

Mary Agnes Carey, associate editor of CQ HealthBeat, examines prescription drug reimportation, SCHIP funding and health issues for soldiers in the Iraq war in this week's "Health on the Hill from kaisernetwork.org and CQ." Carey notes that a subcommittee of the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee last week held a hearing on legislation that would allow consumers, pharmacies and wholesalers to purchase FDA-approved medications made at FDA-inspected facilities in foreign countries. In addition, the bill calls for establishing a framework for reimportation, including that FDA regulate prescription drugs that are reimported into the U.S. During the hearing, Randall Lutter, FDA acting deputy commissioner for policy, said FDA does not have the resources to perform such regulation, noting that the agency currently is busy keeping up with approval of generic drugs. Sens. Byron Dorgan (D-N.D.) and Olympia Snowe (R-Maine) expressed frustration with FDA's stance on the legislation, Carey says. Carey also discusses an announcement by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) that the House fiscal year 2008 budget resolution will include a reserve fund that would cover children eligible for SCHIP. Pelosi did not specify the amount of the reserve fund. At the same time, Senate Finance Committee Chair Max Baucus (D-Mont.) has said he would like to include $50 billion over five years for the program in the Senate's FY 2008 budget resolution. In other SCHIP news, Carey notes that the FY 2007 supplemental spending bill includes about $750 million for states with SCHIP budget shortfalls. Finally, Carey addresses recent issues with medical care for military members returning from the war in Iraq. During five congressional hearings last week, lawmakers criticized treatment delays, a staffing shortage and failure of officials to correct problems promptly. President Bush last week created a presidential commission to evaluate the military health system, and lawmakers are considering adding $1.1 billion to the supplemental bill for post-traumatic stress counseling, brain injury care and research, amputee and burn care, and other programs (Carey, "Health on the Hill from kaisernetwork.org and CQ," 3/12). The complete audio version of "Health on the Hill," transcript and resources for further research are available online at kaisernetwork.org.

Senate bill would allow drug imports from Canada

2007-03-11T11:03:00.000-05:00

By Larry Lipman
Palm Beach Post Washington Bureau
Saturday, March 10, 2007
WASHINGTON — For more than two decades, Congress has been wrestling with the question of whether to allow prescription drugs to be imported from countries such as Canada, where prices are far lower than in the United States.

Drug Imports: Bargains or Killers?

2007-03-11T11:00:00.000-05:00

By Cory ReissLedger Washington Bureau
WASHINGTON - As untold Americans scanned the Internet for cheap drugs from other countries, Michael Carlow of Fort Lauderdale struck enviable deals on Lipitor and other medicines.

Sales of prescription drugs rose 8.3 percent in U.S. in 2006

2007-03-11T10:27:00.000-05:00

By Theresa Agovino
ASSOCIATED PRESS
11:19 a.m. March 9, 2007
NEW YORK – U.S. prescription drug sales rose 8.3 percent to $274.9 billion last year, fueled by the Medicare drug benefit, increased use of generic medicines and new treatments for diseases such as cancer and diabetes, according to a new report.

Lawmakers Debate Drug Plan

2007-03-09T08:47:00.000-05:00

Joan MurphySpecial to the Jewish TimesMARCH 09, 2007
Every year, a bill that would allow Maryland to buy prescription drugs from Canada and save money for state agency workers, retirees and those on state assistance dies in the state legislature.

Senate focuses on importing medication

2007-03-08T09:03:00.000-05:00

By Gregory LopesTHE WASHINGTON TIMESMarch 8, 2007
The Bush administration yesterday favored keeping the ban on importing prescription drugs despite a new Democratic majority in Congress that supports allowing lower-priced medications from countries such as Canada.

See why drugs from other countries are safe and FDA knows they are.

Proposal to Allow Imports of Cheaper Drugs Re-Emerges on Capitol Hill

2007-03-08T09:00:00.000-05:00

Matthew PerroneMarch 7, 2007 - 6:17 p.m.
WASHINGTON (AP) - The pharmaceutical lobby pushed back Wednesday against a renewed effort in Congress to pass a law enabling U.S. consumers to buy cheaper prescription drugs from Canada and other countries.

Drugs from Canada

Formularies needed to reduce medication prices under Medicare prescription drug benefit

2007-02-15T09:35:00.000-05:00

A bill passed last month by the House that would require the HHS secretary to negotiate prices directly with pharmaceutical companies under the Medicare prescription drug benefit "would have very little effect" on prices "because it forbids Medicare from excluding drugs from coverage -- and thereby denies it the leverage needed for bargaining," Marcia Angell, a senior lecturer at Harvard Medical School, writes in a Boston Globe opinion piece.

Medicare Part D Alternative

Generic Medications Account For 61 Percent Of Prescriptions Filled For Medicare Beneficiaries, CMS Says

2007-02-15T09:32:00.000-05:00

Generic medications, rather than brand-name treatments, account for almost two-thirds of prescriptions filled for Medicare beneficiaries, a trend that has helped reduce the estimated cost of the prescription drug benefit, according to data that CMS plans to release on Thursday, the Wall Street Journal reports.

Discount Generic Drugs

Capitol Hill Watch | Kaiser Daily Health Policy Report Highlights Recent FDA-Related Congressional Committee Actions

2007-02-07T10:43:00.000-05:00

A number of congressional committees recently have taken action related to oversight of FDA. Summaries appear below.

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niors, senator fear confiscation of Canadian drugs is new crackdown

2007-02-04T09:41:00.000-05:00

Bob Lamendola South Florida Sun-Sentinel Posted February 4, 2007

MIAMI -- Federal officials confiscated at least 37 packages of medicine from Canada shipped to South Florida consumers in late January, despite an October promise to stop targeting drugs imported for personal use.

Let's keep an eye on the situation

What are Ontario's pharmacists smoking?

2007-01-29T10:22:00.000-05:00

Their irresponsible warning of the threat of 'drug terrorism' is the wrong prescription for an exaggerated ailment

January 29, 2007

David Olive
Business columnist

Canadian Drug System Safer than U.S.

Canadian Researchers First To Complete The Human Metabalome

2007-01-29T10:03:00.000-05:00

Researchers at the University of Alberta, in Edmonton, Canada, have announced the completion of the first draft of the human metabolome, the chemical equivalent of the human genome.

Huge News

Drug reimportation is back in the news: It should happen. But it won't.

2007-01-16T10:33:00.000-05:00

Jan 16, 2007, 01:30
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Drug reimportation is back in the headlines.
What brought this issue back to life was the introduction of two identical bills in the House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate to legalize importation of less expensive prescription drugs into the United States.

Medicare Part D Alternative

Push on in U.S. to import drugs from Canada

2007-01-12T10:46:00.000-05:00

WASHINGTON -- A bipartisan group of U.S. legislators began the latest big push yesterday to legalize bulk imports of cheaper prescription drugs from Canada.

Meds for Less

CIPA President says "Protecting Canada's Drug Supply our Number One Priority"

2007-01-12T10:34:00.000-05:00

    TORONTO, Jan. 10 /CNW/ - With the introduction of the Dorgan/Snowe
legislation in the U.S. Senate today, CIPA wrote Health Minister, Tony Clement
to clearly lay out the association's position with respect to the U.S.
legislation.



Canadian Pharmacy

Critics Question Democrats' Plan To Allow Federal Government To Negotiate Medicare Prescription Drug Prices But Prohibit Preferred Drug List

2007-01-11T10:43:00.000-05:00

House Democrats this week plan to seek passage of a bill (HR 4) that would require the HHS secretary to negotiate directly with pharmaceutical companies on prices for medications under the Medicare prescription drug benefit, the Miami Herald reports.

Canadian Pharmacies Cheaper Than Medicare

Physicians, patients rarely talk about cost of prescription medicines

2007-01-09T09:22:00.000-05:00

By JOE GRAEDON and TERESA GRAEDONKing Features Syndicate
TOOLS

Imagine going to a nice restaurant and getting an impressive menu, but not finding prices for anything. Most people would find such a situation disorienting. They would hesitate to order a meal at a restaurant that won't tell patrons what the food costs.

Meds for Less Pharmacy

F.D.A. Nominee Moves Toward Confirmation

2007-01-02T17:05:00.000-05:00

By STEPHANIE SAUL
Published: December 7, 2006
The Senate moved today toward confirmation of Dr. Andrew C. von Eschenbach as commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration, a development some senators said they hoped would restore leadership to an agency that has had a series of vacancies in its top position in recent years.

U.S. Democrats Reach For Canadian Drugs 'First'

2007-01-02T16:55:00.000-05:00

Danielle Godard - All Headline News Staff Writer
Washington, D.C. (AHN) - The U.S. Democrats are planning their first move as a majority Congress when they take control in January, and first on the agenda is a grab at Canadian medicines, according to an Associated Press report.

Help Us Help You

State's prescription program is underused

2006-12-26T09:48:00.000-05:00

Many seniors are scrambling this week to enroll in a Medicare prescription-drug plan by the Dec. 31 deadline to get coverage in 2007. But a program created by Gov. Mike Easley to help seniors with the rising costs of prescriptions is underused so far.
In October, Easley created the North Carolina Rx program, which provides $18 a month to seniors to help pay the cost of monthly premiums under Medicare's prescription-drug plans. To qualify for N.C. Rx, seniors must be 65 or older and must meet certain requirements based on income and assets. For individuals, the maximum annual income to qualify is $17,150, and for married couples, it is $23,100.
Easley pitched N.C. Rx as a boon to seniors, predicting that 50,000 people would sign up within three years and committing $24 million in state money to the program.
But as of early last week, only 3,500 people had applied, the governor's office said.

Canada Plan Cheaper

Shift in Congress Puts Health Care Back on the Table

2006-12-26T09:26:00.000-05:00

Expecting a Mixed Reaction Across the Aisle, Democrats Plan to Offer Ideas on Drug Cost, Safety

By Christopher Lee
Washington Post Staff WriterMonday, December 25, 2006; Page A12

Health care is set to return to the national political stage in 2007, setting up partisan clashes in Congress that could end with rare vetoes from President Bush and help to define the 2008 presidential campaigns.

Reimportation is Safe

Powerful U.S. Democrat puts drug imports at top of January's agenda

2006-12-24T11:56:00.000-05:00

By BETH GORHAM

WASHINGTON (CP) - A top U.S. Democrat says his first order of business in January will be a new push to legalize prescription drug imports from Canada.

Drugs from Canada

Study Finds that Canada Better than Medicare Part D

2006-12-08T09:07:00.000-05:00

A recent study of Medicare Part D reveals that it is less expensive for most seniors to order from a Canadian pharmacy. Seniors also have additional incentive to purchase from Canada because changes in US regulations now make it legal and quick to order from north of the border.

Read more here

F.D.A. Nominee Moves Toward Confirmation

2006-12-08T09:04:00.000-05:00

Sen. Vitter Comments on the Status of Drug Reimportation

2006-12-08T09:02:00.000-05:00

WASHINGTON, December 6, 2006 – U.S. Sen. David Vitter made the following remarks on the U.S. Senate floor earlier this week regarding the status of drug reimportation. Vitter will continue to bring attention to this crucial issue as the Senate begins debate on the nomination of FDA Commissioner Andrew von Eschenbach. He maintains his hold on von Eschenbach’s nomination.

Canada Drugs Cheaper than Medicare

Woman On Mission To Get Cheap Drugs To Elderly

2006-12-04T09:04:00.000-05:00

(AP) DENVER There are 1,854 square miles in Elbert County, and Debbie Studer's '88 Oldsmobile has rattled and, in the past two years, bumped over most of them.

Medicare Part D Alternative

Reviving the Drug-Import Fight

2006-11-26T11:36:00.000-05:00

When Congress reconvenes next year, there is one battle that will surely be on the calendar: An effort to legalize the importation of prescription drugs for personal use.

U.S., Canadian, and International Pharmacy

Industry approves proposed legislation

2006-11-24T08:18:00.000-05:00

By Martin Cash
ABOUT 400 Manitoba pharmacists attended a special meeting of the industry association on Wednesday night for last-minute discussions on proposed legislation that will change the practice of pharmacy in the province.

Canada Pharmacy

Congress seen pushing for imported drugs

2006-11-24T08:13:00.000-05:00

By ANDREW BRIDGESASSOCIATED PRESS WRITER
WASHINGTON -- Efforts to allow Americans access to cheaper prescription drugs from abroad should blossom once Democrats assume control in Congress, but it won't be a top priority, lawmakers and health care experts said.

Imported Drugs

A new era of uncertainty in Canada-U.S. relations

2006-11-24T08:11:00.000-05:00

Can control of the U.S. Congress switch to Democrat from Republican without having an impact on the country's relations with Canada? The American ambassador to Canada, David Wilkins, says it can. He predicts there will be no significant change following the Democrat victories in the Nov. 7 mid-term elections.

Canadian Drugs

Online pharmacies threaten to leave Manitoba if new rules enacted

2006-11-22T23:12:00.000-05:00

MICHELLE MACAFEE
Canadian Press
Several Manitoba online pharmacies are considering pulling up stakes if the government doesn't amend a proposed new pharmaceutical act, the provincial lobby group for the industry says.

Canadian Pharmacy

How Multinational Corporations Avoid Paying Their Taxes

2006-11-22T09:29:00.000-05:00

How Multinational Corporations Avoid Paying Their Taxes
By PETER ROST, MD

Drug companies and other multinational companies based in the U.S. systematically avoid paying tax in the U.S. on their profits. The companies elect to realize profits in low-tax countries and because of this the rest of us have to pay billions of unnecessary taxes to make up for the shortfall, writes Peter Rost, an ex-pharmaceutical executive.

Medicare Part D Help

Medicare Part D sign-up to begin

2006-11-14T07:57:00.000-05:00

Originally published November 13, 2006
ORLANDO, Fla. // The annual barrage of TV ads, mailings and community events starts Wednesday with the new enrollment period for Medicare's prescription-drug program.

Medicare Part D made simple

Our view on Medicare Part D: Put brakes on drug plan 'fix'

2006-11-13T08:20:00.000-05:00

A top priority of the new Democratic Congress is, as party chairman Howard Dean put it Sunday, "fixing the Medicare thing."

Once again, it's time to do your Part D homework

2006-11-12T08:35:00.000-05:00

Saul Friedman

November 11, 2006
With open enrollment four days away, don't expect the coming lame-duck session of the 109th Congress to change the worst features of Part D. And if you don't have Part D or alternative "creditable" drug coverage, don't wait until the 110th Congress begins work in January. The delay could cost you.

Canadian Pharmacy

Canadian medicines on Democrat agenda

2006-11-12T08:19:00.000-05:00

Nov. 11, 2006. 01:00 AM
TIM HARPER
WASHINGTON BUREAU
WASHINGTON—The suddenly powerful Democrats are expected to use their congressional majority to push legislation legalizing the import of Canadian drugs. But observers on both sides of the border question whether the issue has the urgency it once had.

Company launches program to beat Medicare

64% in poll want right to import drugs

2006-11-12T08:13:00.000-05:00

By JONATHAN D. EPSTEIN News Business Reporter11/10/2006 A poll by senior citizens group AARP has found that 64 percent of American adults support legalizing the purchase of prescription drugs from Canada and other foreign countries.

Pay Less than Medicare Part D for drugs

Will Election Help Lower Drug Prices?

2006-11-10T07:24:00.000-05:00

Nov. 8 - A debate rages on between American pharmaceutical companies and health advocates in this country about the safety of prescription drugs from Canada.
The health advocates we talked to at the Senior Action Network, Congress of California Seniors, and Foundation for Taxpayers and Consumer Rights say the prescription drugs two million Americans each year get from Canada are as safe as any drugs bought in the United States.

Prescription drugs no longer made in the U.S.A.

Senior Citizens Certain to See Lower Priced Drugs with Democrat Wins

2006-11-09T10:34:00.000-05:00

By Tucker Sutherland, editor
November 8, 2006 � The results from yesterday's election showing Democrats gaining control of the House of Representatives and close to control of the Senate signals major changes ahead that directly impact senior citizens. First, the price of prescription drugs is going to go down. And this was the final nail in the coffin that contains the private accounts proposed by President Bush for Social Security. "Tonight we have made history; now let us make progress," said House Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi, who is now destined to be the first female Speaker of the House and most powerful woman in the history of the U.S. government.

Lower priced medications

The Genocide Election

2006-11-09T10:05:00.000-05:00

Peter Rost: The Genocide ElectionWednesday, 8 November 2006, 2:06 pmOpinion: Peter Rost M.D.

This election is about much more than Democrats or Republicans, higher or lower taxes, or the war in Iraq. It is about the survival of millions of people around the globe. And if candidates supported by the drug industry prevail, we may become participants in a silent genocide.

Pharmacy Network

New dose of Medicare

2006-11-03T09:37:00.000-05:00

Seniors and disabled people will have from Nov. 15 until the end of the year to decide on their 2007 Medicare prescription drug plans, as the benefit begins its second year of operation.

Cheaper drugs back in sight

2006-11-03T09:34:00.000-05:00

By Sarah Arnquist
sarnquist@thetribunenews.com
For nearly a year, Los Osos resident Charles Ironeyes cut his monthly $450 prescription drug costs in half by buying his prostate cancer medication from a Canadian pharmacy.

Canadian Pharmacy

Prescription Drugs | Agreements To Delay Market Entry of Generic Prescription Drugs Increase

2006-10-31T14:36:00.000-05:00

The St. Louis Post-Dispatch on Sunday examined the recent increase in the number of agreements in which brand-name pharmaceutical companies pay generic pharmaceutical companies to delay market entry of their products (Feldstein, St. Louis Post-Dispatch, 10/29).

Low cost generics

Check your Medicare plan

2006-10-31T14:25:00.000-05:00

By Peggy KreimerPost staff reporter

Mark the calendar for another end-of the year tradition - signing up for the Medicare drug plan.

International pharmacy beats Medicare cost

Medicare Part D having big impact on pharmacies

2006-10-31T14:10:00.000-05:00

Small pharmacies selling more prescriptions for less moneyBy Kate Turnbow

Capital Journal StaffPIERRE - The South Dakota Health Care Commission recently took a look at the impact of Medicare Part D on pharmacies in South Dakota.

Mail Order Pharmacy

Physicians take the pulpit to preach health

2006-10-25T15:52:00.000-05:00

More houses of worship are partnering with medical professionals to spread the good news about good health.
By Damon Adams, AMNews staff. Oct. 23/30, 2006.

Physician Jobs

Some medical schools say no to drug reps' free lunch

2006-10-25T15:48:00.000-05:00

Stanford, Yale and the University of Pennsylvania have adopted policies to create a brighter line between medicine and marketing.
By Myrle Croasdale, AMNews staff. Oct. 9, 2006.

Physician News

U.S. health care lagging behind other countries

2006-10-25T15:44:00.000-05:00

A new national scorecard says the U.S. system costs twice as much as other countries and isn't as good.
By Kevin B. O'Reilly, AMNews staff. Oct. 23/30, 2006.

Bill alters Canadian import laws

2006-10-19T08:44:00.000-05:00

By Tara McLaughlin : Herald-Sun Washington bureaunews@heraldsun.comOct 18, 2006 : 8:23 pm ET WASHINGTON -- Hop in the car. Drive 786.6 miles north to Ontario. Get your prescription filled. Drive home. You're safe.

Most Medicare Prescription Drug Plans Will Drop Coverage for Erectile Dysfunction Medications in 2007

2006-10-18T09:33:00.000-05:00

Most Medicare prescription drug plans in 2007 will not cover erectile dysfunction treatments such as Viagra, Cialis and Levitra, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

Compare price for Viagra

Buying medicine from Canada

2006-10-17T08:38:00.000-05:00

Q. What can you tell me about buying medicine from Canada? I added up our costs for the year and found that my wife and I are paying more than $5,000 between us for drugs to treat high blood pressure, cholesterol, reflux and osteoporosis.

Canada Drugs

Study reveals lack of communication between doctors, patients

2006-10-17T08:28:00.000-05:00

By JOE GRAEDON and TERESA GRAEDONKing Features Syndicate

Humans have a terrible time communicating. Just ask any teenager how well his parents listen. Or turn the tables and ask the parents whether their adolescent son or daughter pays attention to what they say.

http://www.nvo.com/promedica/physicians

Tablet that could cure hayfever

2006-10-13T11:24:00.000-05:00

A daily tablet that could cure hay fever will be available within months.

International pharmacy

Momentum Builds in Senate for Legislation That Would Broaden U.S. Residents' Ability To Purchase Prescription Drugs From Abroad

2006-10-13T08:29:00.000-05:00

"Momentum is building" in the Senate for the passage of broad prescription drug reimportation legislation, after senators last month approved an amendment to the fiscal year 2007 Homeland Security appropriations bill that would allow U.S. residents to transport medications personally from Canada, CongressDaily reports.

Medicare and Medicaid Security Gaps Are Found

2006-10-10T07:41:00.000-05:00

By ROBERT PEAR
Published: October 8, 2006
WASHINGTON, Oct. 7 — Federal investigators say they have found serious computer security flaws that could lead to the improper disclosure of sensitive medical information on people enrolled in Medicare and Medicaid.

Big pharma meets its match in U.S. voters

2006-10-10T07:38:00.000-05:00

Canadian online pharmacies, 1. Big Pharma, 0. As of today, U.S. border officials will stop seizing prescription-drug packages ordered by Americans from Canadian online pharmacies, reversing a practice adopted only 11 months ago.

Canadian Online Pharmacies

U.S. to Allow Canadian Drug Imports

2006-10-04T12:01:00.000-05:00

By Lisa Girion, Times Staff WriterOctober 4, 2006
The federal government plans to halt a controversial crackdown on discount drugs mailed from Canadian pharmacies to U.S. customers, removing a significant hurdle to Americans buying cheaper medications from abroad.

Cheaper Meds

U.S. to allow drugs mailed from Canada

2006-10-04T11:57:00.000-05:00

Americans who buy Canadian drugs no longer have to worry about their packages being seized at the border.The U.S. government announced Tuesday that it will stop confiscating small shipments of Canadian medicines, reversing months of aggressive seizures that claimed at least 40,000 packages nationwide.

Canada Drugs

O Canada, let's access their drugs

2006-09-29T11:33:00.000-05:00

For years, the U.S. government has maintained a dopey ban on Canadian prescription drugs, widely considered a cheaper but just as effective alternative to their American counterparts. Both Democratic and Republican administrations cited concerns about the safety of such drugs, a valid point that also created a byproduct: the protection of the U.S. drugmakers who pour millions of dollars in contributions into political campaigns each year.

But why just Canada? The drugs we take are made all over the world.

Prescription drug prices are too high

2006-09-28T08:43:00.000-05:00

A moment of sanity regarding national health policy prevailed over the House and Senate last week when a majority approved easing the ban on importing drugs from Canada.

Drugs from Canada

Canada agrees to add Tamiflu to list of drugs that can be made off patent

2006-09-28T08:34:00.000-05:00

Provided by: Canadian PressWritten by: HELEN BRANSWELLSep. 27, 2006
TORONTO (CP) - The federal government has added the flu antiviral oseltamivir - better known as Tamiflu - to the list of patented medications that generic drug manufacturers in this country can apply to make and export to developing countries.

Provision makes it easier to fill prescriptions in Canada

2006-09-28T08:28:00.000-05:00

By CRAIG DAVISONTimes Herald
Legislation moving through Congress may help Blue Water Area residents buy cheaper prescription drugs but could drive business away from small pharmacies.

Crackdown on Canadian Drugs Doesn't Make Sense

2006-09-28T08:24:00.000-05:00

This past week I read two interesting articles. The first was Michael Chertoff, head of Homeland Security, saying that his department doesn't have the manpower or money to cover all the potential terrorist threats to our country. The second was about how his Homeland Security Department is blocking and seizing prescription drugs that American citizens are buying in Canada to get a better price than in this country.

Free-market drugs

2006-09-28T07:57:00.000-05:00

ONE OF THE MOST egregious flaws in the new federal prescription drug benefit law is that it does not allow the nation's huge Medicare system to negotiate prices with pharmaceutical firms. If Medicare were allowed to assert its considerable economic influence, drug prices, would be a lot lower.

Please support those who are providing lower cost medicines. Meds for Less

Carey Addresses Language in Homeland Security Appropriations Bill Allowing Rx Reimportation, Reauthorization of NIH, Obstacles in Approval of Von Esch

2006-09-26T10:16:00.001-05:00

Mary Agnes Carey, associate editor of CQ HealthBeat, discusses an appropriations bill that would allow U.S. residents to bring prescription drugs across the Canadian border, legislation to reauthorize NIH and the pending approval of Andrew von Eschenbach to head FDA in this week's "Health on the Hill from kaisernetwork.org and CQ."

The safety issue is a lie. Don't take our word for it. Read it for yourself.