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"At a time when 2 million Americans
stand to lose their access to affordable prescription drugs from
Canada, the Bush administration is turning its back on consumers
rather than taking action to protect them," Gov. Blagojevich said.
"Even if Canada moves forward with its plans to shut its borders to
American consumers, I-SaveRx will continue to provide access to safe
and affordable medicine from other countries, like the United
Kingdom and Ireland."
In early October Gov. Blagojevich
was joined by Gov. Doyle in launching the I-SaveRx prescription drug
program -- the first program in the nation to allow citizens to
purchase lower-cost, safe prescription drugs from Europe and Canada.
Since the launch, I-SaveRx has expanded to include residents of
Missouri and Kansas.
Recent media reports have indicated
that Canada is considering effectively banning prescription
medications from Canada to the United States. The news follows a
Nov. 30 meeting between President Bush and Canadian Prime Minister
Paul Martin, where the issue of reimporting prescription drugs was
discussed.
"While it is unknown what message
President Bush gave to Prime Minister Martin during their previous
meeting, my hope is that President Bush will now make it clear that
the U.S. government does not want drug companies to restrict their
supply to Canadian distributors," Gov. Doyle said. "This potential
change would hurt not just the pocketbooks of those who get their
medications from Canada -- it could also seriously jeopardize the
health of millions of Americans."
The I-SaveRx import program builds
in numerous safety measures to ensure the quality and safety of
drugs dispensed. The list of available drugs is limited to those
that are used for long periods of time and that cannot spoil during
the shipping process. Consumers can order eligible drugs for refill
only, so patients and their doctors have had time to review for
unanticipated side effects or interactions. All network pharmacies
agree to comply with Illinois pharmaceutical standards and to
dispense only drugs that are intended as domestic product in Canada,
Ireland or the United Kingdom -- meaning the pharmacies cannot
dispense prescription drugs from other countries that are not part
of the program to I-SaveRx consumers.
Participants in the I-SaveRx plan
can save an average of 25 percent to 50 percent on the cost of the
most common medications used to treat chronic conditions. Residents
of Illinois, Wisconsin, Missouri and Kansas can enroll or find out
more information about the I-SaveRx program by calling toll-free 1
(866) ISAVE33 [1 (866) 472-8333]
or visiting www.I-SaveRx.net.
[News release from the
governor's office]
[to top of second column]
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Text of letter:
January 5, 2005
President George W. Bush
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, D.C. 20500
Dear President Bush:
As you know, Canadian Health Minister
Ujjal Dosanjh has indicated that his government may soon effectively
ban sales of prescription medications from his country to the United
States. This action would deprive an estimated two million Americans
of needed relief from the high price of prescription drugs.
Mr. President, we urge you to use the
full diplomatic influence of the United States to discourage Canada
from taking this action. While you may personally oppose the
reimportation of safe, lower price prescription drugs from Canada,
U.S. policy allows individuals to purchase drugs from Canada for
personal use. We ask you not to take away what has essentially
become the only affordable option for two million Americans who
otherwise might not have access to much-needed prescriptions.
One reason the Canadian government may
be considering restricting cross-border sales is the fear that U.S.
drug companies may limit the supply of drugs to Canada. That is why
Governors across the country have been asking your Administration
for some time to prevent the drug companies from using their market
power to obstruct sales of prescription drugs from Canada to
Americans. Unfortunately, you have taken no action.
We are now seeing the potentially
devastating effects of an industry that can threaten to deprive
millions of Americans from accessing safe prescription drugs. Your
Administration has allowed this disturbing trend to continue, siding
with the pharmaceutical companies over U.S. citizens.
Minister Dosanjh stated in a recent
interview that you discussed the prescription drug reimportation
issue with Prime Minister Paul Martin during your visit to Canada on
November 30, 2004. Less than two weeks later, Minister Dosanjh, who
has noted your opposition to prescription drug reimportation,
abruptly announced that Canada was considering ending cross-border
sales. While it is unclear what message you delivered to the Prime
Minister about reimportation, we urge you now to discourage him from
cutting off two million Americans from this safe, affordable option.
We urge you to make it clear that the
position of the U.S. government is that we will not allow drug
companies to restrict supply, and that cross-border sales that
provide life-saving medication to millions of Americans is no threat
to Canada's drug supply.
Sincerely,
Jim Doyle
Governor of Wisconsin
Rod Blagojevich
Governor of Illinois |
