Posted on 03/26/2006 8:04:50 PM PST by A. Pole
Thousands of Americans who order prescription drugs from Canada have received written notice that their medications have been seized, part of a US government crackdown on the cross-border discount trade.
The increase in seizures and the strong legal warnings issued to consumers mark a shift in policy for the Bush administration, which until now has rarely acted against individuals who buy drugs from Canada.
[...]
Nancy Popkin, a Salem resident who has been ordering the osteoporosis treatment Fosamax from Canadian pharmacies for years, was one of those recently targeted.
[...]
The notice, from the Department of Homeland Security, US Customs and Border Protection, said her medication had been seized because ''virtually all" drugs imported by individuals into the United States are unapproved for consumption here or are dispensed without a valid prescription. The letter cited a federal statute, although there is no penalty for violating it.
[...]
Federal officials say they have become increasingly concerned about the quality of drugs entering the United States from Canada
[...]
''What we're trying to do is protect the public from unsafe medications," said Lynn Hollinger, spokeswoman for US Customs and Border Protection.
[...]
Nelson is among a group of congressional critics from both parties who said they suspect the seizures are part of an effort by the administration to steer seniors to its new Medicare prescription drug plan, called Part D,
[...]
''It is amazing that we have a government that can't control our borders to illegal immigration and literally tons of illegal narcotic drugs that are coming into this country every day, but by God they can stop Grandma from saving $50 on her prescription drugs," he said.
[...]
Federal officials have long sought to protect the rights of the pharmaceutical industry to charge higher prices in the United States
[...]
(Excerpt) Read more at boston.com ...
If an American wants to spend his own money to buy non-narcotic prescription drugs for his own health, why should the government step in and prevent it?
One would think they should focus more on the tons of marijuana, cocaine and hard drugs coming into this country, instead of trying to grab the medications of little old ladies.
Pathetic.
Why shouldn't people have the freedom to order medications from whereever they choose?
I would say that's correct. Prices will go up, followed by gouging of the taxpayer.
So, the quid-pro-quo from the heavy political contributions from the drug-makers is paying off in spades. This administration is great at managing its border problem when it comes to legal drugs, but not ILLEGAL Mexicans...that payoff is paying for the Mexicans too.
My first reaction too. Someone said the other day that things seem like we are in an alternate universe where up is down, black is white, evil coddled and celebrated and innocence persecuted. Boy was that right on target.
WHERE WERE ALL THE CUSTOMS AND BORDER FOLKS IN LA YESTERDAY!!!!
"virtually all" drugs imported by individuals into the United States are unapproved for consumption "
Oh please, almighty government, save us from ourselves.
The real war on drugs! I bet they do a better job of depriving people of their meds than of their fixes.
Ping
Someone said the other day that things seem like we are in an alternate universe where up is down, black is white, evil coddled and celebrated and innocence persecuted.
-----
Exactly. As Washington fiddles, America burns -- and moves closer to Euro-style mediocrity and a dead Constitution courtesy of a government that only cares about power and control.
"''It would be devastating if someone gets sick or dies because someone's drugs were confiscated," said US Representative Gil Gutknecht, a Minnesota Republican who has been a staunch supporter of imported drugs.
''It is amazing that we have a government that can't control our borders to illegal immigration and literally tons of illegal narcotic drugs that are coming into this country every day, but by God they can stop Grandma from saving $50 on her prescription drugs," he said.
====
Good for Gil Gutknecht (R) that he speaks up forcefully against this insanity.
Plan English Translation: Our masters in Washington are receiving 'campaign contributions' from the drug companies, so we must follow their 'suggestions' and deny little old ladies their medicine so the drug companies can continue to rip off the little old ladies.
I've suspected long ago that some Federal agents have no soul.
Cheers!
IMHO, both of these issues have the same root. US Pharmaceutical corporations stay profitable by charging higher prices for meds on the US market. They and Canadian firms also ship ephedrinates to Mexico for the expressed purpose of making cold meds (in truth, tons of it comes back across the border in the form of crystal meth).
We'll catch illegal drugs crossing the border, but Illegal immigrants? Nah, give them a pass!
I personally think it's really the FDA wants to maintain their control.
People import medications from Europe that are not available in the US, even though they are completely safe and effective.
I vaguely remember Tagament (sp?), the medication for stomach ulcer has been used in Europe for some 30 years, before they finally allowed it in the US.
The Canada imports are indeed a little different, because they have price controls, and the drug companies are making up for that with the prices in the US. But I still don't think the government should control what medications people take and where they are getting them from.
Who manufactures these supposed drugs? If any of these pharmaceutical companies sell their drugs here then they should all be pulled from the shelves so to say. Don’t they all come from the same factory so to say?
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.