[Stitcher]

Fewer U.S. Residents Purchase Prescription Drugs From Canada, In Part Because Of Medicare Drug Benefit

Article Date: 06 Nov 2007 - 9:00 PST
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/87813.php

Online drug sales in 2006 from Canadian pharmacies to U.S. consumers dropped about 50%, from $420 million Canadian dollars in 2005 to $211 million Canadian dollars last year, according to data from IMS Health, the Philadelphia Inquirer reports. Drug sales across the border to U.S. patients -- once "a hot trend" -- have been suppressed by several factors, including threats from U.S. pharmaceutical companies to stop supplying drugs to Canadian firms, rising drug costs in Canada, a weaker U.S. dollar compared with the Canadian dollar and the 2006 introduction of the Medicare prescription drug benefit, the Inquirer reports.

Legislation (S 1082) introduced this year by Sens. Olympia Snowe (R-Maine) and Byron Dorgan (D-N.D.) would reduce restrictions on imports and enhance safety by calling for all exporters and importers to register with federal authorities. The Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America opposes prescription drug imports, citing the possibilities that counterfeiting could rise and existing safety regulations could be compromised. FDA has "conducted periodic sweeps against drugs delivered through the mail," but "its leaders admit they lack the staff to do a thorough job," the Inquirer reports.

Ilisa Bernstein, FDA's director of pharmacy affairs, said the agency does not know for certain whether online sales are increasing or decreasing. She said, "We really don't have the resources to quantify the number of products coming in," adding that FDA uses a "risk-based approach" to select the drugs that pose a high level of danger and need closer safety scrutiny. Bernstein said, "What's scary is, a lot of these online sellers will sell you drugs without a prescription."

Randall Lutter, FDA's deputy commissioner for policy, in a statement said, "The data lead us to believe that many people are buying drugs online not to save money but to bypass the need for a prescription from their doctor, since these Web sites typically do not require the purchaser to have a prescription" (Stark, Philadelphia Inquirer, 11/5).

[MKane]

Very interesting. The first year of Part D I hit the donut hole in July. So when time for renewal came along, I researched the various providers. There were none without a donut hole. One of the larger providers, however, assured me that if I took their most expensive plan and bought through their mail order supplier I would not hit the hole until November. I subscribed with an $88/mo premium. They covered my drugs for January, February & March. I held off ordering a supply for April because I was scheduled for DBS. Well, after the surgery I still needed as much medication and I called to order. They told me that there had been a change and that now one of my meds (Mirapex) would now cost $1,304.00/month. I cannot affort that. I looked into Canada. I now get all my meds for $250/month. The provider continued to bill me the $88/mo premium. I cancelled the policy. They wrote to tell me that I ccould not cancel until November. My response to them was, "sue me!" I haven't heard a word from them.

[Stitcher]

Wow...what a saving. I need to check out Canada. I hit the donut hole in April this year.

The donut hole is a "requirment" of the Medicare Part D Plan...it is not something the insurance companies choose to do to us. Although the first year...2006...most insurers did cover the donut hole, but in 2007 they didn't...at least not the majority of them.

What online link do you visit for your Canada RX...please share.

[MKane]

It is Rx North a division of CanadaDrugs.com . They require a prescription. Their # is 800-796-6188. They will tell you that it will take 21 days to get it to you, but mine usually come within a week. I do bank draft payment.

[K.Ibsen]

Can someone please explain to me what the "donut hole" is?

[Stitcher]

The Donut Hole...(aka Medicare Part D coverage gap) begins after you and the plan together have spent $2,510 in total yearly drug costs.

At this point, you will pay 100% of your discounted prescription drug costs until you reach $4,050 in yearly true out-of-pocket drugs costs.

True out-of-pocket costs are your share of the prescription drug costs in a Medicare Part D plan; such as deductibles, copays (if applicable), and the amounts you pay in the coverage gap. It does not include monthly premiums.

The above condition is dictated by Medicare. It is not dictated by any insurance plan.

See Part 2 at this link https://www.aarpmedicarerx.com/nine_...nk=Rcninefacts

I have the AARP MedeicareRX Enhanced Plan, so during the coverage gap, I pay only the required copay for Tier 1 drugs/generic drugs.

"Castastrophic Coverage" is available if and when you reach the $4,050 limit. Once you reach catastrophic coverage, your plan will pay most of your drug costs until the end of the year.

For some of us...like me...it means that from April until Decemer 31st, I will pay 100% of all my brand drug costs. Fortunately, I am able to obtain samples from two of my doctors for Brand meds that are not yet available as generics, and I am using up leftover Mirapex from a friend in Arizone who no longer was taking them and had an abundance of .5 mg.

[K.Ibsen]

Thanks Carolyn!

I think I have some Mirapex left from when I stopped using it. I don't remember to dose, but I can check. You may have it if you want it. PM me if you're interested and we'll figure out the details.

Karl