FDA Warns Against Prescription Drugs from Outside the Country

As prescription drug prices continue to rise, many Americans have turned to online pharmacies abroad for cheaper alternatives. However, a recent warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has raised concerns about the safety and authenticity of these imported drugs. The FDA has found problems with prescription drugs bought from a Canadian Internet pharmacy and shipped through the Bahamas, citing issues with identity, regulation, and quality control. Meanwhile, a co-owner of the online pharmacy claims the agency is trumping up charges as a way of keeping Americans from buying cheaper drugs.

Key Takeaways:

• The FDA has seized nearly 500 prescriptions filled in the Bahamas and mailed through Miami, citing concerns over identity, regulation, and quality control.
• Many of the imported drugs were found to be more expensive than their American counterparts, with one patient paying $27 for a drug that could have been bought for less than $9 in the US.
• The online pharmacy, CanadaRX.net, has been convicted in Canada for fraud and for selling diverted drugs, but its co-owner claims the agency's charges are minor infractions.
• The FDA has not conducted a chemical analysis of the imported drugs to determine their quality and authenticity.
• Six senators have released a letter asking Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist to allow a vote on a bill that would allow Americans to purchase drugs legally from Canada.

Statistics:

• 496 prescriptions were seized by the FDA from CanadaRX.net.
• Patients paid $27 for a drug that could have been bought for $8.59 in the US.
• The online pharmacy has been convicted of fraud and selling diverted drugs in Canada.
• 6 senators have released a letter asking for a vote on a bill allowing Americans to purchase drugs from Canada.

Sources:

• NPR News, 2005 (Michele Norris, Robert Siegel)
• NPR News, 2005 (Joanne Silberner)
• Food and Drug Administration