US steps up seizures of imported drugs

The Boston Globe ^ | March 26, 2006 | Christopher Rowland

[garylmoore]

And here in the US, they actually give out needles to addicts.

[SUSSA]

He's the boss and could stop them if he cared. If he can't run his administration, he should quit and let someone have the job who is up to the task.

But you have a lower opinion of his ability than I do. I think he knows and signs off on every major policy change by every major department in his administration. And I sure think when three departments are involved in a policy change he's ordered it or at least signed off on it. He's all for open borders and international trade until it costs his friends a little money.

[Investment Biker]

I agree, I think this is about power and control. The FDA controls 25 cents of every dollar spent by the American consumer (remember they are both food and drugs). Back in the late 1930's is the time frame when the FDA was given such broad powers. The were many people selling fake drugs and drugs for children that were only meant for adults. As a result there were many deaths and many of those that caused the deaths were within current law. So the FDA was given broad powers to regulate, approve and restrict drugs. And this is where we stand today until the Internet said well maybe I can go around them.

But, the FDA sees the problem as one of not being able to assure legitimacy, potency, and proper usage. This is the tyranny we have created for ourselves. We have assigned all of our medical freedoms to the FDA and the American Medical Association. It will not change until our fundamental thinking regarding the roll of the FDA and government in our lives is challenged and changed. And it should at a minimum be change to an informed consent law. If a consumer is informed or states to be informed then let them alone to take care of their health as they see fit.

[Investment Biker]

In our republican hotly contested district the demo challenger has already made this an issue. I intend upon voting for him in the fall if the is no change from the incumbent.

[Squantos]

Insanity huh....:o)

Stay safe !

[FairOpinion]

"And it should at a minimum be change to an informed consent law. If a consumer is informed or states to be informed then let them alone to take care of their health as they see fit."


===

I agree. Medications could be labeled as FDA approved or not. And there should be no restriction on being able to import medications for personal use from other countries, whether or not they have been approved by the FDA. I am sure all those who need such medications would gladly sign a waiver, that they take personal responsibility for their choices.

[statered]

http://www.fda.gov/ola/2003/canadian0612.html

[Travis McGee]

When there is a mad cow scare, in days they can track ONE COW from Canada to a farm anywhere in the USA.

[Prokopton]

The FDA statement you cite primarily refers to "potential" for counterfeiting. Except for a reference to Lipitor there are no facts to suggest counterfeit drugs are being imported from Canada. Occasional cases of counterfeit drugs show up even in FDA certified U.S. pharmacies.
The counterfeit drug argument appears to be a straw man used to support the argument that U.S. taxpayers should be subsidizing drug prices for everyone else including wealthy countries such as Canada.

[statered]

The proper response would be to deny the benefit of drug research to countries with price controls. If we drive the profit out of industry we will destroy the industry.

I don't know if anyone knows exactly what the scope of counterfeiting is but it does exist. Would you agree that if a patient was the victim of a counterfeit drug they received from Canada that the pharma company that was impersonated should be free from claims?

Drug prices constitute about 11% of healthcare expenditure with prices rising slower than that of healthcare as a whole. Where the price is going up is hospital care - and alot of that is due to people with chronic conditions not taking proper care of themselves. Larger expenditures on drugs actually reduce healthcare costs overall because it reduces hospital stays.

[ThinkDifferent]

''What we're trying to do is protect the public from unsafe medications," said Lynn Hollinger, spokeswoman for US Customs and Border Protection.

Lynn, I can understand the argument that if US citizens are allowed to take advantage of the socialist price controls of other countries, it would reduce the incentive of pharma companies to come up with new products. But please don't insult my intelligence with this "safety" BS.

[A. Pole]

Lynn, I can understand the argument that if US citizens are allowed to take advantage of the socialist price controls of other countries, it would reduce the incentive of pharma companies to come up with new products.

So when the US corporations "are allowed to take advantage of the socialist [...] controls" over labor force in China, it does not "reduce the incentive" of American workers to invest time and money into their education?

And do you really think that pharma companies can squeeze more money out of arthritis stricken seniors? Do you really think that there is no medical progress in "socialist" countries like Europe or Canada?

[A. Pole]

The proper response would be to deny the benefit of drug research to countries with price controls. If we drive the profit out of industry we will destroy the industry.

Large part of research is [aid by taxpayers. Only when it successful it gets "privatized".

[ThinkDifferent]

So when the US corporations "are allowed to take advantage of the socialist [...] controls" over labor force in China, it does not "reduce the incentive" of American workers to invest time and money into their education?

Valid point, that's certainly possible. I didn't say I agreed with the argument, just that I'd respect the bureaucrats if they were honest about it rather than pretending to be looking out for us.

Do you really think that there is no medical progress in "socialist" countries like Europe or Canada?

The large majority of medical innovation happens in the US, and socialized countries get a free ride from it. Health care is a hard problem, and I don't think there are easy answers. "Do what Europe does" is generally not at the top of my list of good ideas.

[A. Pole]

Do you really think that there is no medical progress in "socialist" countries like Europe or Canada?

The large majority of medical innovation happens in the US, and socialized countries get a free ride from it.

Really? Do you have any data to support it?

BTW, the one medication which I buy at high price in USA (where generic version is not available) and which can be bought in Poland in generic form for about 8% of US price was invented in France and in USA is produced by the German corporation.

Some dentist technology was available in Poland earlier than in USA because it was invented in socialist Sweden close to Poland. I know it because American dentist was asking me about the new style filling in my mouth.

[freepatriot32]

Libertarian ping.To be added or removed from my ping list freepmail me or post a message here

[mugs99]

And do you really think that pharma companies can squeeze more money out of arthritis stricken seniors?

Many are now finding veterinary sources for the meds they need.
.

[A. Pole]

Many are now finding veterinary sources for the meds they need.

Good to know. Just in case :)

[Ken H]

I wouldn't be opposed to it so long as the gov't shields drug makers from lawsuits.

The Canadian drug manufacturers presumably have legal and financial departments, and are aware of their liability. And yet they still choose to sell to willing buyers. Do you know something these companies don't?

[Ken H]

I don't know if anyone knows exactly what the scope of counterfeiting is but it does exist.

In post #30 you asserted that:

A lot of the drugs these people are getting are counterfeit and are not made in Canada.

You've gone from "a lot" to "it does exist".

Do you still claim that a lot of these people are getting counterfeit drugs?