Ill., Wis. launch prescription drug import program

[RetroLounge]

The governors of Illinois and Wisconsin on Monday launched the first state-sponsored program to help residents buy cheaper prescription drugs from both Europe and Canada -- despite federal laws banning prescription drug importation.

The program, called I-SaveRx, works through a Canada-based clearinghouse and claims it can save residents 25 percent to 50 percent off U.S. retail prices on about 100 prescription medications.

"Our program is about giving the people of Illinois access to prescription drugs that are in every way exactly same as those we have here in the United States except for one big difference -- the price,'' Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich said at a news conference with Wisconsin Gov. Jim Doyle and U.S. Rep. Rahm Emanuel (D-Ill.).

Blagojevich called the new program "a prairie fire'' that was burning in the Midwest and would spread as more people realized they could save money on their prescription drugs

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-041004drugs,1,4109146.story?coll=chi-news-hed

See what happens when you have Democratic Governors!

RL

[sybylla]

1. Way to go, Doyle!

Saw this in LBN. It's a step in the right direction at the very least.

Forwarded it to my mom who faces taking a prescription for the next two to five years that costs $200/month in the US. Since she just retired, she's been looking into alternatives and this may help considerably. She's also got Mexican connections just in case.

Edited to add:

Link to website http://www.i-saverx.net/

The complete press release/story as well as the reactions of representatives and other organizations can be found at the top of The Wheeler Report at http://www.thewheelerreport.com/