If prescription drugs from Canada are so dangerous

[Sandpiper]

Then why aren't we hearing about lots of Canadians dying from using them?

Perhaps because this talking point is CRAP?!?!!!! :grr:

[Maple]

1. Well all 32 million of us

are still alive here in Canada. :D

[Booster]

2. That was just about the weakest answer I have heard.

What a doofus. Bet Babs gets her meds from Canada.

[LynnTheDem]

3. Same reason you're also not hearing that Canadians live longer than

Americans do, average life span.

You also don't hear about Canada being far ahead of the USA in medical technology & research.

You also don't hear about America having the infant mortality rate of a 3rd world nation and that even Pakistan has a lower rate than we do.

USA = The Best The Greatest The Perfect. Just don't worry about the FACTS.

[depakid]

4. Because the media makes HUGE money from pharma ads

The US media LIES just as much as Bush and the rest of the Republicans do.... although I'm sure that a few of their black hearts skipped a beat when Edwards spit this out Tuesday night:

"We're also going to stand up to the drug companies and do something about these drug company ads on television, which are out of control."

[lanparty]

6. Drug prices spiked ...

Drug prices spiked at the same time the ads went on the air. There is no reason to advertise those medicines. The audience really isn't qualified to diagnose itself. It just drives up the price of the drugs!!!!

[depakid]

7. Absolutely

Unfortunately, that was another of Clinton's regulatory failures. I have no idea what they were thinking when the let the FDA change the rule back in the late 90's. Now WE pay to the drug companies to bombard the airwaves with misleading information. I have friends in Canada and the UK who think we're insane for allowing this.

Needless to say, I was very pleased to see that Kerry and Edwards recognize the problem and look like they have the courage to deal with it.

[lanparty]

5. Because ... THEY'RE RATIONED !!!!

Well, everything in Canada is rationed you know. It's NOTHING like health care in the United States where the insurers ALWAYS approve the procedure or medication you need to be healthy!!!!

BTW, rejecting a procedure is technically NOT a waiting line!!!!

[Nobody]

8. Gee, even if it were rationed, it's still better than what I have

and what I have is zilch.

I'm on the faith based health care plan. Pray I don't get sick.

And by the way, I work over 40 hours a week in a SUPERVISORY position.

[lanparty]

9. Moore's next film is ...

Michael Moore's next film is entitled "Sicko". It is going to cover the American and Canadian health care systems.

Anyone who doesn't believe we have waiting lines for medical care in the US is crazy. Anyone who believes that wealthy Americans and Canadians can't BYPASS those lines is nuts.

[TrustingDog]

10. it's because we can smoke MJ to offset the bad effects.

[Barney Rocks]

11. I hate to say this--

but there is definitely a need to make sure that the drugs actually DO come from Canada when you THINK they are coming from Canada.

I know a woman who died because she bought a medication over the web--she thought it was from a doctor in Florida--and that it was a good medication. It turned out that the drug came from a 3rd world country, and it was not what it was claimed to be. She took it for 9 months (innocently believing that it was the real, pure drug and that the web dr was legit) and she died of a stroke at the age of 34. Her family is pursuing the case so I am not at liberty to say a lot of details.

BUT especially for people who do their buying over the internet (s) sic-- there IS a very real risk of danger. What we need to do (in my opinion) is have some authorized and approved pharmacies in Canada that people do business through. However this may increase the expense. Nothing is ever free or cheap, if it seems to be--double check or think twice.

[depakid]

12. Your post begs the question:

Why are drugs so expensive in the United States that we even have to consider RE-importation?

[Barney Rocks]

13. actually, that is very simple.

The reason that drugs are cheaper elsewhere is because patent laws are not as strict. So often generic versions can be made very quickly (as opposed to I believe 7 years here)--and other things along these lines.

It is an interesting point (about drugs being $$$) but my post was not about expense--it was about safey--and I have to reiterate that we MUST insist on safey even if the cost is a little more.

even drugs can be cheaper when they are bought from other countries--it is crucial that the buyer beware of buying something over the internet--without seeing a doctor--from an unknown source--even if the drug appears to be from the US or Canada.