The counterfeit drug industry is a $200 billion a year business, and it is estimated that 10% of all drugs are counterfeit. And yes, many of the drugs that are re-imported into the US are counterfeit. So that's reason #1.
So, you wish to restrict my freedom to purchase a legal product offered for sale in the open market in order to protect me from fraud? How kind of you. My freedom is not yours to give or withhold no matter how much you wish to protect me. What rights do I really have if your wish to protect me is sufficient cause to remove them? Unalienable rights? Well, yeah, unless maybe I might hurt myself or be defrauded. Is that it?
The other reason it's illegal is because countries like Canada impose price controls on American manufacturers and threaten their patents if they don't what they're told.
Again, you wish to restrict my right to purchase an item in the free market because of someone elses crimes [price controls]. The pharmaceutical companies are free to negotiate their deals with other countries as they see fit. If my freedom to purchase a legal item causes that "deal" to be unprofitable then how is that my problem and what gives anyone again the right to restrict my freedom? Unalienable rights? Yeah, well, unless it causes these guys over here to lose a bit on their profit margins.
Most people who want to buy re-imported drugs that government "negotiated" at the point of a gun don't realize that they are benefiting from socialism.
Again, the fact that they were subjected to a "crime" [negotiated at the point of a gun] is not my problem. And really, when you come right down to it, the negotiation was NOT conducted at the point of a gun. The pharmaceutical company was always free to walk away. They simply chose not to and found out that they could still make the "deal" profitable by restricting my freedom. You really don't have a firm grasp on this idea of individual freedom, do you?
Many don't care as long as they get the lower cost. To hell with everyone else. Others, however, do care because they know that without profit, there is no innovation.
How many excuses are you going to come up with to restrict my freedom? Do you really not understand that the right of people to engage in the free market is not subject to your wishes to make things "better" in your own way of seeing things? If I wish to buy something from a fellow that wishes to sell it to me, the fact that it cuts into some entrenched monopoly's profits is NOT MY PROBLEM. I am a free man. You are a supporter of government/business power being used to restrict my freedom. In this regard, you are a fascist.
Mises.org - What is fascism?
Fascism is the system of government that cartelizes the private sector, centrally plans the economy to subsidize producers, exalts the police state as the source of order, denies fundamental rights and liberties to individuals, and makes the executive state the unlimited master of society.
So, you wish to restrict my freedom to purchase a legal product offered for sale in the open market in order to protect me from fraud? Are you against the FDA or USDA establishing food safety protocols and inspecting food processing plants so that you and your family aren't made sick from any number of pathogens that unscrupulous vendors might ignore?
Or does basic food handling and safety also compromise your freedom?
Again, you wish to restrict my right to purchase an item in the free market because of someone elses crimes [price controls]
Uh, maybe you should learn more about what constitutes a free market and what the term "legal" means. It would save you from the embarrassment that comes from arguing in favor of socialism while pretending to be against it.
The pharmaceutical company was always free to walk away.
And allow that same country to violate patents in the name of putting the people before profits? Not much of a negotiation, is it? Maybe you also need to acquaint yourself with that term.
If I wish to buy something from a fellow that wishes to sell it to me, the fact that it cuts into some entrenched monopoly's profits
Please add the word monopoly to your expanding homework list.
As you continue arguing in favor of government forcing businesses to sell their products in the manner that you choose -- while hurling accusations of fascism at those who don't believe government should force businesses to sell at prices determined by government -- you should realize that you are a collectivist. You should also understand that the collectivist driven economy does not bring innovations to market. So while this kind of government may provide you with the drugs you demand at the price you want to force these evil companies to charge you, you will never see cures for any of the many afflictions facing the world today. It's a very shortsighted and selfish world view, but as long as you get yours, everyone else can fend for themselves. How collectivist of you. Are there any other private sector industries government should take over so you can be adequately supplied with products and services at prices you can afford? It's about freedom, after all.