CANADA CONSIDERS RESTRICTING Rx EXPORTS TO U.S.
The Canadian government is considering regulations that would restrict the flow of prescription drugs to American consumers - a potential move that is drawing fire on both sides of the border.
Canada is looking at three options regarding the way it regulates internet pharmacies, according to a Canadian health official. Action on the issue is likely within the next two months, said Ken Polk, spokesman for Canada Health Minister Ujjal Dosanjh. The proposals include revising the Canada Food & Drugs Act to make it illegal for doctors to sign prescriptions for patients they haven't examined; prohibiting doctors from signing prescriptions for patients who are not physically present in Canada; and/or establishing a list of drugs that could be prohibited for export.
"The purpose of the three proposals is to establish a regulatory framework, whereby Canadians can be reassured that internet pharmacy business is being done ethically, and that Canadians can be reassured that they will have access to adequate supplies of safe and affordable medicines," Polk said.
The government's intention is not to shut down the internet pharmacy industry, he added. But a trade group representing Canadian mail-order pharmacies contends such a move would effectively kill the industry. The Canadian International Pharmacy Association issued a public statement recently warning that regulations being drafted by Dosanjh would make mail-order drug importation illegal in the country.