Feds: Canadian Drugs Allowed Into U.S.

New Policy Lets Americans Import Nearly 90 Days Worth Of Prescription Drugs

(AP)  The federal government will stop seizing small amounts of lower-priced prescription medications mailed from Canada, officials said.

Since November 2005, U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents have seized prescription drugs that 40,000 Americans had ordered from Canada, Sen. Bill Nelson noted on Tuesday. The new policy, which takes effect Oct. 9, was announced in an e-mail from the Department of Homeland Security to congressional staff Monday, Nelson said.

Customs spokeswoman Lynn Hollinger confirmed the policy change Tuesday, saying the agency would no longer intercept the drugs or issue letters to postal carriers indicating it is illegal to import prescription medications. She said the policy change was due to political pressure from lawmakers and people who complained they were no longer receiving their medicine.

Nelson said that the new policy will allow Americans to import small amounts of prescription drugs — roughly a 90-day supply.

"It's a great victory, particularly for the senior citizens who are having difficulty making financial ends meet in a time in which, sadly, some senior citizens have to make a decision between buying their prescription drugs and buying their groceries," Nelson said.

The change means that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration will resume oversight of the importation of prescription drugs. Before Customs took over enforcement the FDA largely ignored the importation of small amounts of prescription drugs.

It is still illegal to import prescription drugs from abroad, but Nelson said he received assurances from the FDA that the agency will not act on small drug shipments for individuals.

Nelson, a Democrat who is running for re-election against Republican challenger Katherine Harris, has railed against Customs' involvement since receiving a complaint from a couple whose shipments were intercepted.

He and Sen. David Vitter, R-La., tried to amend a Homeland Security appropriations bill to allow U.S. residents to import small amounts of prescription drugs for personal use. But that bill, which was sent to President Bush this weekend, would only allow Americans crossing the Canadian border to bring back small amounts of prescription drugs.

Nelson said the FDA will focus on large shipments of drugs that are likely being imported for illegal purposes.

The FDA, however, could not yet say whether it will step up oversight of mail-ordered drugs from Canada.

"We haven't heard from Customs yet — and when we do, we can decide what our next course of action is," FDA spokeswoman Cathy McDermott said. "We continue to be concerned about the risk of importing foreign drugs."

[cathaleen]

It's about time they allowed these drugs into our country so the people who are not covered by drug plans cannot afford their medication. Believe me it makes or breaks a month for some of these people. These people are neither rich no poor but the drugs take a big part of their fixed income.

[ugh503]

Our whole system is incredibly stupid. The real question is why are drugs manufactured by U. S. companies cheaper in Canada. The answer is that the Canadian health system can negotiate prices; medicare D is not allowed to--and let's not forget the donut hole. Stupid, stupid, stupid.

[agnim]

It is so so so shameful that due to the greed of the wealthy, Americans have to be importing stuff vitally important for their existence when we make the same stuff right here.

We seem to have so little sense of what should have priority in the nation.

It is laughable that the Canadians have to be saving the arses of wealth America with Canadian welfare. For shame! Where is American pride?

[marcpcbs]

I think American Pharmaceutical manufacturers have had their greedy monopoly long enough. Heath was never supposed to be just for the rich. This is a good decision as long as it does "not include" the lie called med-pot.

[lyfizgood]

ugh503 said it. The joke is on us. US drugs are cheaper in Canada, even when they are imported back to us. Thank you very much Sen. Nelson, not that your accomplishment isn't appreciated, but the real problem needs to be fixed right here in our own backyard.