Canada plans restrictions on online drug sales

06/24/2005

Rob Gillies,
Associated Press
June 24, 2005

TORONTO—Canada will soon announce measures to restrict Internet pharmacies from selling prescription drugs to U.S. consumers, officials said Thursday.

Such sales have become popular with Americans seeking cheaper medicines.

Health Minister Ujjal Dosanjh did not specify what steps would be taken, but his spokesman said the measures being considered include preventing Canadian doctors from co-signing prescriptions without examining patients.

Other measures might be outlawing prescriptions for foreigners who are not in Canada, barring a price reduction if the drugs are exported and banning bulk exports, spokesman Ken Polk said.

Dosanjh has been studying options to restrict the practice for at least six months.

“I am concerned, and we’re acting on it. There will be news soon,” he said.

President Bush opposes prescription drug imports, and federal regulators warn that they cannot guarantee the safety of such drugs. Canada has dismissed concerns about the safety of Canadian drugs, saying its regulatory regime is tougher than the U.S. one.

A proposal to Prime Minister Paul Martin’s Cabinet on the issue will probably be made next week.

Last November, Bush discussed the issue with Martin. But the White House has denied that Bush pressured Martin to make it harder for Americans to buy drugs from Canada.

Under current practice, a prescription from a U.S. doctor is faxed to a Canadian doctor, who reviews the document along with the patient’s health history. The Canadian doctor signs and sends the prescription to a so-called Internet pharmacy, which ships the drug to the patient.

Canadian officials say such sales endanger the Canadian drug supply, although they admit no shortages currently exist. The government also maintains that it is unethical for doctors to sign prescriptions without examining patients.

Importing drugs into the United States is technically illegal, but the government generally does not stop small amounts purchased for personal use.