Canada's Rx Chill

That is why Canadian Health Minister Ujjal Dosanjh will propose restricting Internet pharmacy sales, the Associated Press reported. "Dosanjh did not specify what steps would be taken, but his spokesman said the measures being considered include preventing Canadian doctors from co-signing prescriptions without examining patients. Other measures might be prohibiting prescriptions for foreigners who are not in Canada, barring a price reduction if the drugs are exported and banning bulk exports, spokesman Ken Polk said. Dosanjh has been studying options to restrict the practice for at least six months. 'I am concerned and we're acting on it. There will be news soon,' Dosanjh said." By soon Dosanjh means next week when he will unveil the specifics to Prime Minister Paul Martin (Liberal). Here's how American consumers currently work the system to their advantage, the AP reported: "A prescription from a U.S. doctor is faxed to a Canadian doctor, who reviews the document along with the patient's health history. The Canadian doctor signs and sends the prescription to a so-called Internet pharmacy, which ships the drug to the patient. Canadian officials say such sales endanger the Canadian drug supply, though they admit no shortages currently exist. The government also maintains it is unethical for doctors to sign prescriptions without examining patients." http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/06/24/AR2005062400485_pf.html

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