Remarks by “manufacturers and distributors of prescription drugs,” to the effect that Canadian prescription drugs may be inferior and present a danger to American users, appear to be self-serving. The same may be said for Lawrence Kocot’s remarks (“Industry group cites possible danger from imported drugs,” April 6, newswire).
Furthermore, it may appear such hasty remarks are insulting to our neighbor to the north. Canadians have been using such prescription drugs, not approved by America’s FDA, for decades. During the five years I lived in Toronto, my family and I received remarkably good medical care and effective prescriptions from physicians at Sunnybrook Hospital Clinic. Since we, and apparently others, were never harmed by these drugs, it seems they are “safe” without the FDA stamp of approval.
Retired seniors in America, living on considerably less income than they had when employed, must now pay the full amount of high-priced prescriptions in America. Even though the drugs may have been declared “safe” by the FDA, it is unsafe in that economics makes possible situations in which necessary drugs are not being used, or the dosage is cut in half without doctor’s approval, by patients.
In Washington, there is hardly an HMO or PPO that I know of offering prescription drug coverage. Yet, in California, and perhaps nearby Oregon, there is Kaiser Permanente that provides prescription drugs at a reasonable co-pay.
You see, as we age, we need more prescriptions to maintain our health. The Canadian option appears reasonable, viable and safe without FDA approval. There is no reasonable need to suspect inferiority in Canadian drugs.
Everett
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