US to Welcome Canadian Pharmaceuticals = Shortages in Canada?

In a dramatic election year about-face, U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Tommy Thompson recently stated he would recommend President Bush endorse a congressional bill making the importation of Canadian pharmaceuticals legal. Due to many factors, including public sponsorship of Medicare, Canadian drug prices average 44% to 78% lower than American prices for the exact same medicines. While the shift in the U.S. administration’s attitude is good for American consumers and Canadian online pharmacies, it could have a surprising effect on stocks of drugs north of the boarder. According to today’s Globe and Mail, “A recent study at the University of Texas at Austin found that if all U.S. residents bought their prescription drugs north of the border, Canada’s drug supply would be exhausted in 38 days.”