<p>It seems that I recieve dozens of spam mail daily for obtaining prescriptions by mail. Fortunately, my spam filter catches most of them. But, I got to wondering if any of my fellow cc members have any experience with scripts from across the border or online domestically (US)? Heck, with Amazon and e-bay sweeping the world, online Rx might make sense, no?</p>
<p>It’s an old story. In fact, there are buses that run across the border specifically so that folks can get scrip filled in Canada. It can make a big cost difference for those who are on a lot of prescription meds and have small insurance benefits. I think you can get a 3 month supply and then set up an internet relationship. </p>
<p>I would not reocmmend jumping in with one of the advertisers but getting to know a reputable Canadian pharmacy is not a bad idea if you are on expensive prescriptions.</p>
<p>I’d be very cautious about buying prescriptions from an unknown place. With some of those, you might never know if you’re getting the right pharmaceutical or pure melamine.</p>
<p>I agree, Bunsen Burner. That is why if you are going to do this, you go to a place that is known and vetted.</p>
<p>Our state government actually has an arrangement whereby we buy Canadian meds. The sources are certified by the state.</p>
<p>We are not the only ones:</p>
<ol>
<li>Illinois</li>
</ol>
<p>Gov. Rod Blagojevich (D) has been a leading advocate of legalizing prescription medications from Canada, the United Kingdom, and Ireland. He created the program Illinois Rx Cares in order to provide monetary relief to senior citizens who fell into the donut hole of prescription medication coverage, as well as others who struggle to afford their prescription medications. The Illinois Rx Cares program helps locate and aid its users in purchasing prescription medication from safe and affordable Canadian pharmacies.</p>
<ol>
<li>Kansas</li>
</ol>
<p>Since Gov. Kathleen Sebelius (D) took office in 2003, she has drastically lowered the cost of healthcare for Kansans by joining the I-Save RX program, which has made it easier for citizens of her state to get low-cost medications from both Canada and Europe. She has also listed links to several state-inspected Canadian pharmaceutical resources on state Web sites.</p>
<ol>
<li>Minnesota</li>
</ol>
<p>Minnesota’s Gov. Tim Pawlenty (R) developed one of the nation’s leading prescription drug Web sites, RXConnect, which allows Minnesotans to access more affordable prescription medication found in both Canada and the United Kingdom. He also implemented a program that offers incentives to state employees who order their prescription medication online from Canadian pharmacies.</p>
<ol>
<li>New Hampshire</li>
</ol>
<p>New Hampshire has implemented a new policy to import prescription medications for prison inmates and state employees from Canadian pharmacies. Gov. John Lynch (D) has expressed his support of the program and plans to further extend the program to help more citizens in New Hampshire.</p>
<ol>
<li>Oklahoma</li>
</ol>
<p>Gov. Brad Henry has proposed a $1.5 million dollar plan to allow state residents to purchase their prescription medication from Canada and other foreign countries. In addition to the new plan, the Oklahoma state government has met with several Canadian pharmacies to examine different ways that Oklahomans can save money by importing prescription drugs.</p>
<ol>
<li>Rhode Island</li>
</ol>
<p>Rhode Island, led by Gov. Donald Carcieri (R), has placed links to Canadian Web sites on its state Web site as well as developing a Web site called RIRx for state residents to purchase discount medications from Canadian and other foreign pharmacies. Rhode Island purchases Canadian drugs for state employees and retirees. Rhode Island also passed a law that allows the state department of health to license Canadian pharmacies. Secretary of state Matt Brown also announced a new plan called RIMEDS that lets residents find discount prescription medication online and by phone.</p>
<ol>
<li>Washington</li>
</ol>
<p>Gov. Christine Gregoire (D) has partnered with Wisconsin in creating a state-sponsored Web site, [Prescription</a> Drug Program](<a href=“http://www.rx.wa.gov/]Prescription”>http://www.rx.wa.gov/), to order prescription drugs from Canada. The state house in Washington also passed legislation to allow certain certain state agencies to purchase prescription drugs from Canadian pharmacies and wholesalers.</p>
<ol>
<li>Vermont</li>
</ol>
<p>The governor of Vermont, Jim Douglas (R), traveled to Washington D.C. to testify before the Federal Drug Task Force on Drug Reimportation to persuade the federal government to allow states to pursue all safe means of lower the cost of prescription medication. Vermont’s department of personnel has a link to Minnesota’s website, RXConnect. Gov. Douglas has also worked with lawmakers to allow the purchase of American-made drugs sold in foreign countries. Vermont’s House of Representatives voted 129 to 8 to allow its state’s residents to purchase lower-cost prescription medications from Canada and Europe through the I-Save RX program.</p>
<ol>
<li>Wisconsin</li>
</ol>
<p>Wisconsin created the Web site [Prescription</a> Drug Resource Center](<a href=“http://www.drugsavings.wi.gov/]Prescription”>http://www.drugsavings.wi.gov/), which allows its citizens to purchase lower-cost prescription medications from both American and Canadian pharmacies. Gov. Jim Doyle (D) also links to the I-SaveRX program from the state’s official website. The Wisconsin state senate passed a resolution asking the federal government to initiate a system for importing foreign drugs.</p>
<p>When I lived in SoCal I used to by what would be Rx drugs here OTC there; now in the north I go to Canada to buy the drugs; the Rx is cheaper, the doctor visit is cheaper (cannot use a US Rx) and the blood work is cheaper.</p>
<p>Some one asked me if that was fair, since the Canadian’s are subsidising the meds with their high taxes, but I am subsidising their gas with the highest prices in the state in our border county since they all drive here to buy gas & dairy products 
Thus I consider it fair game.</p>
<p>It is illegal for anyone to buy foreign medications without the okay from the Secretary of Health and Human Services. The federal government has tried to shut down programs which buy foreign drugs. Most online “Canadian” “pharmacies” are not Canadian. The majority of drugs purchased online are counterfeit. Many laboratories, private and government, have confirmed this fact. Counterfeit drugs are not a major issue in the U.S. domestic drug supply, but in some countries, they are more prevalent than the real thing.
Online Rx has been ruled illegal in many states. It is just a matter of time when the entire country approves this measure.</p>
<p>Yeah, I have to agree Nova, tat I would be concerned about buying online. I have also heard of people having their boxes confiscated by customs.</p>
<p>The current Secy of HHS has not gotten back to me about my personal scrip ;)</p>
<p>“It is just a matter of time when the entire country approves this measure.”</p>
<p>Just the contrary. Nine states now have programs to enable residents to purchase meds through approved Canadian pharmacies, and at least 10 other states are now considering such programs. Of those 9 states, four have Republican governors, 5 have Democratic governors. </p>
<p>Generally speaking, Canadian pharmaceutical regulation is stricter than in the U.S.</p>
<p>Drugs are not cheaper here because of subsidization, but because we negotiate large quantities at a lower price (if I understand correctly). I do worry that these pharmacist entrepreneurs are shooting Canada in the foot by doing so and ****ing off the US pharm industry. </p>
<p>Contrary to other posters, Canadian pharma is the real deal (of course a different story if we are talking about online spam-- no one should buy anything from such a source). </p>
<p>Full scoop: [CBC</a> News Indepth: Drugs](<a href=“http://www.cbc.ca/news/background/drugs/]CBC”>http://www.cbc.ca/news/background/drugs/)</p>
<p>An online Rx is defined as a prescription you obtain from a prescriber from an online site. Most states are making those prescriptions illegal. No one in healthcare supports those prescriptions because most prescribers will prescribe anything you ask for. They are strengthening the prescriber/patient regulations i.e. all valid prescriptions must be written by a prescriber you have a prior relationship with or have seen for this condition.
It is already illegal to import any medication. The federal government has seized medications imported by those state programs, and the state has been stuck with the bill.
Generally speaking in pharmacy, Canadian importation is such a minor worry. It is such a tiny percentage of the pie.</p>
<p>“Most states are making those prescriptions illegal.”</p>
<p>On the contrary, states are rapidly making these prescriptions LEGAL, and have set up their own programs to make it easier to do. Nine states already, with another 10 to follow pretty shortly.</p>
<p>What are we talking about here? Getting a prescription drug without a prescription from an online pharmacy (foreign or domestic)? Or filling a prescription written by your local doctor by an online domestic or Canadian pharmacy. If it is the latter, then many states are moving to legalize and assist residents in obtaining medications from Canada. It is not hard to find a reputable online Canadian pharmacy to fill your prescription with medications which are identical to the ones you would purchase at your local drug store.</p>
<p>I think I would know pharmacy law better than most of you because that’s my job.
e-prescribing is another kettle of fish. That is a closed system from your prescriber to your pharmacy. The federal government is trying to push it onto prescribers.
Last time I checked, there are less than 10 reliable online pharmacies in the U.S. The definition of reliable online pharmacy means it has VIPPs certification from the NABP. All international prescriptions are considered to be illegal in the U.S. The prescriber must have a valid license from a state or territory in this country. Most countries have a similar sort of law. I know Canada has that law.
In pharmacy, there are state and federal regulations. There are areas in which the laws conflict, and when they do, the stricter law prevails. In Illinois, Talwin is a C-2, but federally, it is not. Federal law clearly states, one cannot import medications, and thus it prevails. Those states are assisting their residents in breaking the law. The DEA/FDA have decided to not prosecute those who are bringing in a 3 month supply for personal use.</p>
<p>You are absolutely correct. These states are indeed aiding their residents in breaking the law, and showing them how to do it through safe, reputable pharmacies.</p>
<p>But it is more than that. The Republican Governor of Rhode Island actually has the state itself purchasing drugs in Canada, and under his leadership, Rhode Island has passed a law enabling the state to license Canadian pharmacies. It is the state itself that is breaking the law. New Hampshire, in turn, purchase medicines itself from Canada for use in prisons and for distribution to state employees. The Republican Governor of Minnesota Tim Pawlenty has set up a program that provides incentives to state employees to purchase meds from Canada.</p>
<p>You will soon see 10 more states with variations on these programs, all in defiance of federal law.</p>
<p>With my insurer (BC/BS), the preferred way to have your Rx filled is via their preferred mail order pharmacy (that way they pay a larger share of the Rx costs). I’ve been using it for most of our family’s maintenance meds since 2000.
Have even ordered from India once via an internet company once a few years ago and was satisfied with the purchase. The price was MUCH, MUCH, MUCH lower than anything comparable anywhere else. </p>
<p>I know many folks with chronic health conditions that rely on sources from India and elsewhere to get their meds so they don’t have to do without or choose between eating or taking their meds. Even with Medicare Part D, many of them reach & fall into the doughnut hole very early in the calendar year & are stuck without ordering from India.</p>
<p>Nova10,
No one is disputing that it is against federal law to import medications from a foreign pharmacy. However, several states are trying to change that to make medication more affordable. And in response to the OP, several posters have reported success in their states of patients getting their prescriptions cheaply and safely filled by reputable on-line Canadian pharmacies. The FDA has simply not made a compelling case that purchasing medications from reputable firms is unsafe. People who purchase medications from Canada would probably prefer to buy them in the U.S. at their local drugstore but they simply cannot afford them. So it is either do without your medication or purchase from Canada. And you know what is so interesting about this debate. The FDA is constantly telling us how unsafe imported medications are but they never, never, ever discuss the health risks associated with forgoing your medication because you cannot afford it!!!</p>
<p>Yes, it is very upsetting to read of how many folks can’t afford their meds and literally have to choose between eating and medicating. Many of the meds all of us take that we purchase at US pharmacies are NOT made in the US anyway but are imported from manufacturing plants where labor is cheaper–overseas.</p>
<p>The FDA’s job is to ensure drugs are safe. It is not their job to get involved in financial matters. The only drugs they know are safe are the one’s which are sold through U.S. pharmacies. Drugs are price based off of pharmacoeconomics. The price is based out of how much potential savings to the healthcare system. Also, they have to recoup the cost of all the failed medications. Conservative estimates say only 1 in 1000 drugs are approved in the long run.</p>
<p>“The FDA is constantly telling us how unsafe imported medications are but they never, never, ever discuss the health risks associated with forgoing your medication because you cannot afford it!!!”</p>
<p>“The FDA’s job is to ensure drugs are safe.”</p>
<p>And we now have data. Millions and millions of prescriptions filled through state-based programs with the drugs coming from Canada. The FDA is not able to produce one study - even one - on even a single drug - showing that patients are endangered or outcomes are worse as a result.</p>
<p>What this suggests is that the FDA itself is derelict in its duties to protect American residents.</p>