Seizures of Canadian Drugs Rise (Rx's)

[LiviaOlivia]

Seizures of Canadian Drugs Rise
As Congress, Customs Spar
By JOHN CARREYROU
July 24, 2006

~snip~

Most prescription-drug importations are illegal under current U.S. law. But Customs and the Food and Drug Administration had tended to turn a blind eye to small mail orders coming across the border from Canada, where the national health-care system negotiates cheaper prescription-drug prices than in the U.S. On Nov. 17, that abruptly changed when Customs began systematically confiscating packages mailed to U.S. consumers by Canadian pharmacies.

The number of seized packages has now reached 37,154, angering members of Congress who have been deluged by complaints from constituents. "Some consumers have had their lives put in jeopardy. If you're on heart medication, you can't miss a day or two," says Dan McLaughlin, a spokesman for Sen. Bill Nelson, a Florida Democrat who has been rallying opposition to the new policy.

Earlier this month, the Senate voted 68-32 to approve an amendment to the Homeland Security appropriations bill that would bar Customs from using federal funds to seize prescription drugs imported by individuals from Canada. The House passed a similar amendment in May. However, it remains unclear whether the amendment will make it into law. Drug-industry lobbyists are expected to push to scrap it when the bill goes to conference in coming weeks. The Bush administration and Republican congressional leaders have supported the industry's stance against Canadian imports.

~snip~

Ms. Hollinger, the Customs spokeswoman, denies any connection with Medicare Part D, which went into effect Jan. 1, six weeks after the wave of seizures began. "We're an independent government agency and we are charged with enforcing the law," she says. While enrollment in Medicare Part D plans ended May 15, Customs has continued the seizures. Ms. Hollinger says the agency has no plans to stop them, unless the Congressional amendment makes it into law.

~snip~

http://online.wsj.com/public/article/SB115370174252314942-YxacXt7_cNeqqH7sUxCfV5okGBA_20070723.html

read the whole article

[Deja Q]

1. so much for NAFTA. Apparently it's free trade,

with a number of regulations attached. Is that truly free?

[MADem]

2. The steaming turd in the center of this piece is this sentence:

Ms. Hollinger, the Customs spokeswoman, denies any connection with Medicare Part D, which went into effect Jan. 1, six weeks after the wave of seizures began.

[SlipperySlope]

3. I buy my "prescription" medicines from India

Have for years now, MUCH cheaper than Canada.

[Psephos]

10. Me too

I also buy from New Zealand pharmacies, which offer excellent service and pricing. Typically, I receive my order within six or seven days.

Peace.

[sgxnk]

4. congress

congress (and the AMA) has always been shills for big pharma

always

[Joanne98]

5. FASCISTS!

[VegasWolf]

6. How many poor people will the Bush administration kill? nt

[Amonester]

7. Affordable prescription pills for many poor seniors who need them

just to survive another day?

"Can't have that." - Compassionate CONservative Fristians and the rest of 'em, Repugnant Reptile$.

[SoCalDem]

8. Can't you just see this scene..?

setting: hotel room near the Canadian border....


Margie and Fred are anticipating their journey back to Minnesota and are nervously sitting at the little round table next to the drapes, as they cautiousl;y use a boxcutter to try & remove the labels from their medicine bottles..

"Darn, mutters Fred..I think I cut my thumb..

"Oh, honey says Margie...Here..put some kleenex on it..

....then they both go back to removing the labels..



at around 2 am, they lay out their traveling clothes for the trip home..

Margie's fingers are tired from sewing all those hems in Fred's pants and her blouse and skirt..


See, they figure that the border people will look in their luggage and her purse, so they open the seams of their clothing, and pour the pills into the hems..then carefully sew them shut again. The awkward part is getting the label and instructions into the hem with the right pills.

Bloody thumb for Fred..Tired eyes & fingers for Margie, they finally turn in at 3 am..

It's always scary on the other end when they dump out the pills.. Did they get the right instructions with the right pills? Does lint damage medicine?

[Mnemosyne]

9. Time for those new detention centers -

Pensioner Gulags.

How sad this admin. has turned the elderly into criminals for just trying to survive. I wonder how long until they start prosecuting them.

Despicable.:grr: