Guest guest Posted May 2, 2004 Report Share Posted May 2, 2004 www.sfgate.com Return to regular view London pharmacy to begin filling backordered prescriptions for Americans HOLLY RAMER, Associated Press Writer Sunday, May 2, 2004 ©2004 Associated Press URL: sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/news/archive/2004/05/02/financial1609EDT002\ 2.DTL (05-02) 13:09 PDT CONCORD, N.H. (AP) -- A company that helps Americans order medication from Canada is teaming up with a British pharmacy to fill backordered prescriptions. American Drug Club, which has franchises in 12 states, provides price information to customers and helps them order drugs from Canadian pharmacies. On Monday, it will start a new system to allow an undisclosed pharmacy in London to fill prescriptions if a medication isn't immediately available in Canada. While technically illegal, the purchase of drugs from Canada -- where the government controls prices -- has gained popularity among U.S. cities and states looking to save money. As a result, several large drug companies have been restricting supplies to Canada. Prior, who runs the American Drug Club of Portsmouth, N.H., said the arrangement is the first of its kind and will help customers get affordable medication faster. " When people order medication, they're not taking it out of pleasure, they're taking it out of necessity, " he said. " If you've been relying on going to Canada to get your medication and all of sudden it becomes backordered, your choice becomes going back to paying the high prices at U.S. pharmacies or looking to alternative means. " Prior said American Drug Club, based in Winnipeg, Manitoba, is trying to stay ahead of pharmaceutical companies that have fought back by restricting shipments to its Canadian pharmacy. That's why the company didn't release the name of the London pharmacy, though Prior said customers will know the name when the system starts, so it won't be difficult for drug manufacturers to learn it. New Hampshire Gov. Craig Benson has been seeking a waiver from the federal government to allow the state to buy cheaper drugs from Canada. New Hampshire, like several other states, also has a link on its Web site to a Canadian pharmacy that exports drugs. The Food and Drug Administration, along with pharmaceutical makers, have harshly criticized such actions. The FDA also condemned American Drug Club's agreement with the British pharmacy, despite the company's claim that the pharmacy is a member of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain and adheres to strict quality policies. " I always worry when they say they're going to Great Britain that they're going someplace else. You just don't know, " said Tom McGinnis, the agency's director of pharmacy affairs. " Too many bad things can happen. There's a lot of counterfeiters in the world. " On the Net: www.americandrugclub.com www.portsmouthdrugclub.com www.fda.gov/importeddrugs ©2004 Associated Press Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You are posting as a guest. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.