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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 6 of 6. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by KikiCabell on September 13, 2005, at 14:39:33
Does anyone here get their medications from Canada? That's a legal thing to do in the U.S. right? If so, can folks recommend some companies/sites that have been legitimate. And is it really cheaper to go that way? Thanks so much.
Posted by linkadge on September 13, 2005, at 15:53:24
In reply to Medications from Canada, posted by KikiCabell on September 13, 2005, at 14:39:33
I don't know, but I do know that everybody here gets their meds from the states :)
Linkadge
Posted by med_empowered on September 13, 2005, at 16:14:14
In reply to Re: Medications from Canada, posted by linkadge on September 13, 2005, at 15:53:24
if you're in the US, getting meds from canada is kind of a grey area. Its a lot like getting rx's from your local pharmacy--just cheaper--so its not illegal per se, but the FDA does reserve the right to seize any shipments from canada (they havent done this in a while I believe). Some health insurance companies actually offer reduced co-pays by sourcing most meds (brand names, no controlled substances) from canada...usually, generics are cheaper in the US though, because Canada's market for generics isn't as competetitve as it is here.
Posted by Emme on September 14, 2005, at 5:45:14
In reply to Medications from Canada, posted by KikiCabell on September 13, 2005, at 14:39:33
I've done it once because a generic was available in Canada that is not available in the US. It was the cheaper option for me at the time - by a lot.
I compared prices (most of which were roughly similar) and made sure that both the pharmacy and the manufacturer of the generic were accredited. I e-mailed to ask who produced their generics. I don't recall the names of the accrediting organizations, but if you poke around, you will find them and their web sites have lists of who they've accredited.
It can take a few weeks to receive your prescription, so make sure you have enough medicine on hand during the wait.
emme
> Does anyone here get their medications from Canada? That's a legal thing to do in the U.S. right? If so, can folks recommend some companies/sites that have been legitimate. And is it really cheaper to go that way? Thanks so much.
Posted by neuroman on September 15, 2005, at 21:58:37
In reply to Medications from Canada, posted by KikiCabell on September 13, 2005, at 14:39:33
Hi,
As long as you have a prescription it shouldn't be a problem. I recently ordered lamotrigine (generic Lamictal) from Canada. The generic isn't available in the U.S. and the name brand is really expensive. I just had to print out the order form and fax it along with my prescription. It arrived intact in New Jersey about a week later. No problem. Hope this helped...
Paul
Posted by CamW on September 16, 2005, at 21:20:01
In reply to Medications from Canada, posted by KikiCabell on September 13, 2005, at 14:39:33
Kiki - I am a pharmacist from Canada and my karate instructor (sensei) is a drug inspector who's duties include watching over medications going to the U.S.
By Canadian law, a pharmacy is only allowed to fill a prescription from a doctor who holds a medical license from the province in which the prescription is being filled. That means that a doctor who is licensed in Ontario can only have his prescriptions filled in Ontario.
An Alberta Pharmacy cannot legally fill a prescription written by a doctor who is licenced in British Columbia.
So, unless your doctor is licenced in Canada, a Canadian pharmacy cannot fill a prescription written by him/her.
Internet Pharmacies must hire a doctor who takes a prescription (I believe it has to be faxed to the Internet Pharmacy), and the doctor, who has a licence in the province where the Internet Pharmacy is located. The doctor confirms the prescription and rewrites it, so technically it is legal, but ethically......
As for prescriptions between provinces, most pharmacists will honor one refill of a prescription for heart medication, birth control, or other maintenance medication. No pharmacy that I know of would fill a prescription written for a narcotic or control drug.
As for Americans buying our drugs; I do consider it unethical, and since the Internet Pharmacies opened shop, Canadian drug manufactuers cannot keep up with production. So many prescriptions are heading south that we are having trouble getting certain medications for our customers. More than once we have had to use lower doses and double up on heart medication; this ended up costing Canadians more than it should, because the lower dose was more expensive.
The same thing has happened with generic Nitroglycerin Spray. Only the name-brand Nitrolingual™ Spray is available, so our seniors on fixed pensions have to pay $4.50 more for their Nitro Spray, as Blue Cross will only reimburse the generic cost.
I guess I'm whining because the seniors complain to me about it, and there is nothing I can do. I can't believe that U.S. pharmacies are allowing this cross-border shopping. It is a lot of money out of their pockets. I also don't understand why your government doesn't stand up to the multi-national drug companies and allow generics. The old, trite excuse that there would be no R&D (research and development) without 20 to 25 years of patent protection. Generic companies already pay a percentage to the developer. Why don't the Brand companies compete with the generics; with their deep pockets, they should be able to bankrupt any generic company. Hmmmm....
I apologize for whining - Cam
This is the end of the thread.
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