Sign in Subscribe
Pharmaceutical industry

Internet Pharmacy Sells Flu Vaccine to California Doctor Despite FDA Regulation

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

An Internet pharmacy, Canadadrugmart.com, has sold 400 doses of flu vaccine to a California doctor, raising questions about the enforcement of U.S. drug regulations. The shipment, which included unlicensed foreign-made vaccine, was initially delayed by U.S. Customs but was eventually allowed to continue its journey. This incident has sparked criticism from the Canadian International Pharmacy Association, with executive director David MacKay questioning the FDA's double standard in regulating foreign-made drugs.

Key Takeaways:

  • Canadadrugmart.com, a Winnipeg-based Internet pharmacy, sold 400 doses of unlicensed flu vaccine to a California doctor, despite FDA regulations against importing unapproved foreign-made drugs.
  • The shipment was initially delayed but later released by U.S. Customs, with an FDA official stating that each situation is evaluated on a case-by-case basis.
  • The Canadian International Pharmacy Association has criticized the FDA's double standard in regulating foreign-made drugs, with executive director David MacKay describing the situation as "making up the rules as you go along."
  • The Internet pharmacy followed FDA's "personal importation policy," allowing Americans to buy foreign, unapproved drugs for personal treatment of a serious medical problem.
  • The Ohio pharmacy sourced the vaccine from a Canadian wholesaler and invoiced the California doctor on October 11, but the shipment didn't leave until October 20.
  • The company plans to send another shipment of similar size in the near future, despite facing challenges in finding enough stock due to Canadian vaccine shortages.

Statistics:

  • 400 doses of unlicensed flu vaccine were sold to a California doctor by Canadadrugmart.com.
  • The shipment was initially delayed by U.S. Customs for eight days.
  • The FDA has previously stopped bulk imports of unlicensed foreign-made drugs.
  • The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) purchased 1.2 million shots of flu vaccine from a Canadian manufacturer, ID Biomedical, in response to a shortage.

Sources:

  • The Globe and Mail
  • Canadadrugmart.com
  • The Canadian International Pharmacy Association
  • U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)

Read more