Low cost of Canadian drugs revealed

[dArKeR]

Survey: Prescriptions in U.S. up to 80 percent more expensive

Whether Americans opt for Nexium or Prevacid to treat their heartburn, they could have bought the drugs in Canada for less than half the price. As Congress debates whether to allow foreign pharmacies to fill prescriptions, The Associated Press surveyed comparable U.S. and Canadian prices for 10 popular drugs and found the Canadian prices were 33 percent to 80 percent cheaper.

For example, a three-month supply of cholesterol-controlling Lipitor, the world’s best-selling prescription drug, was 37 percent cheaper in Canada. The anti-depressant Paxil cost about half as much as in the United States, while the arthritis drug Vioxx cost 58 percent less. The biggest price difference was for the anti-psychotic drug Risperdal, 80 percent cheaper in Canada.
The figures are from a check of drug prices on Internet sites maintained by American and Canadian pharmacies.

http://msnbc.com/news/990034.asp?0cv=CB20

I told you guys this about Asian drug prices more than 2 years ago!

I got my first 2 Hepatitus shots in the US but I had to leave before the wait period for the the last. Each cost about $170. (It's a little fuzzy now. Not sure if it was $130 drug plus the office visit of $60). I was worried about the drug being given overseas so the doctor gave me a card and it had the label of the drug on it. In Thailand I got the last shot. US$12 for the drug. Since I was a foreigner they told me to buy a new needle, (5 cents). It was exactly the same drug/same label, same manufacturer. No office visit charge.

Another point about overseas. You pick up all your drugs/devices yourself at the Pharmacy counter and carry them yourself to the doctor/nurse. (It saves a lot on bureaucracy, time, and labor. But of course American couldn't learn anything from Godless devils who don't cloth themselves.)

[Democrats unite]

1. Were like the energizer bunny...

We keep getting screwed & screwed & screwed.

[Spangle]

8. More ways then one

The Drug companys are spending tons of money on PR and Marketing. Ads on TV and gifts to Docs, etc. All that is an added cost on the price of those pills. Then it's tax deductable.

THey waste our time with TV Ads that just get their company name and logo out. They tell people that they have a cure all drug that they should expect their doctor give them.

In countrys were there are price controls, I bet those companys don't throw around money like that.

[interupt]

10. Australian view on Pharmaceuticals

Well from an aussie view, here is some info.

It is illegal for drug companies to advertise on television for specific medicines, such things as Asprin and Over-the-Counter medications can be advertised on television, but not medications with a pharmacological action against a specific illness (angina medications for example)

Drug companies throw their money in direct marketing to the doctors and hospitals to get their drugs on the market, and publications like drug sheet registries (called MIMS, it is THE authority on all medications in oz, their use, effects and contraindications. Its twice as thick as it should be from adverts though)

The other issue is what is called the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme. http://www.hic.gov.au/yourhealth/our_services/apbs.htm

This is a scheme where the Federal Government subsidises medications by paying a large amount of the cost, the drug companies still get their money and a price is NOT set despite the amount of rubbish spouted.

We now have the ridiculous situation where drug companies are all vying to get their medications on the PBS list and the conservative government yelling down the TV at us saying not to doctor shop to get pills on the PBS (Apparently Australians love to go to several doctors and fill perscriptions and sit at home eating medications all day...duh)

We have recently had a round of talks with the US and the Free Trade Agreement that GW promised us as a reward for sending troops over (good boy Howard...now SIT!) and one diplomat made a rather large gaffe by referring to our scheme as the Pharmaceutical Protection Scheme. It highlights the US's administrations abject fear of government intervention to improves peoples living conditions.

We are a bit complacent about the cost of drugs and get very antsy if we hear any talk about removing such schemes. I understand how high medical costs are in the US and live in hope that a new government more sympathetic to your needs.

[newyawker99]

11. Hi interupt!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[Mountainman]

2. Hey, where's are all you right wing free market folks on this?

here are some choice freeper responces to Canadian drugs not being available to Americans.


To: antiRepublicrat

I'm sure the demonrats are thrill and filming the 2004 campaign ads as I type.

Just picture it...poor, lowly seniors forced to forgo their medications because the mean old Bush Administration cares more about Drug Company profits than they do the well being of the poor, lowly seniors.

6 posted on 11/06/2003 3:42 PM PST by Brian S
< Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies >


To: taxcontrol

Please explain how keeping pharmaceutical profits up subsidizes the healthcare of other nations?????

The governments of other countries put price controls on their drugs, and if the drug industry wants to sell in those countries, they usually have to sell them at very low prices. They then charge us in America very high prices to offset the loss. This condition is maintained by industry lobbying that prevents cheap drugs sold overseas from being reimported into America.

In effect, we are subsidizing the health care of the rest of the world, including countries like France and Germany, every time we fill a prescription.

8 posted on 11/06/2003 3:49 PM PST by antiRepublicrat
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[Kellanved]

3. fun ... and wrong

and totally missing the point that French and Germans are paying more for the drugs than other Europeans.
Not to mention: while prescription drugs are cheaper in Europe: you should have a look at simple things, like Aspirin ( in Germany the name is still Bayer-exclusive) - a very different story. Several times as expensive as in the US (I bought a 1000 pill container in the US for the price I'd pay for a simple 10-pill blister in Germany). Pretty much the same story for any non-prescription drug, including vitamins.
The only thing American patients are subsidizing is the multi-billion dollar profits of the pharama-industries top players (which are moving their research-centers to Europe btw.).

[interupt]

6. I've had a look at the FR take on that too....

Being a lurker for a considerable amount of time on both DU and FR boards, I have to ask a question?

Are all conservatives paranoid about the rest of the world's motives to the point that countries that subsidise medicines so that their populations can actually afford them is a vast conspiracy against the US?

or

Blind ignorance?

[Swede]

7. Welcome to DU interupt.

This administration has aliented all of it's allies. Tony Blair won't last the next election.

[Lefty48197]

4. I hear US drug companies are going to limit sales to Canadian distributors

to ensure that they aren't selling the drugs to us Americans at reasonable prices. God forbid, we should be able to buy drugs at reasonable prices.

[RaRa]

5. Oh yes, it' well known

My folks just returned from their annual Canadian trip for drugs. They saved over $1000 - even when factoring in the cost of gas (from SE Ohio), hotel and food. It's pathetic that a country as rich as ours can find money for the Ken Lays and shrubs of the world, but not honest seniors.

[Spangle]

9. Lower Drugs

Would lower insurance costs since most insurance has a drug coverage plan. Anyone's health insurance going up at work??? I can think of a way to lower it FAST!

IT would also lower the bill on medicade and medicare. Since drug coverage is also included. Our Tax dollars do pay for meds for SOME poor children. And all those in Foster Care.

A doc with a poor client will perscribe meds that insurance WILL pay for the most, rather then have the client pick up meds that they will have to pay 100% for. Again, rising insurance costs or tax burden.

Considering that there are very few wealthy people and tons of poor people, this is effecting WHO the most??? It's just another way to transfer funds to the rich people, who can pay any price for the meds anyway.