While it is well-known that prescription medications from Canada are less expensive than the same drugs in the U.S., many consumers have concerns about the safety of Canadian drug imports. But is there any real reason for consumers to fear purchasing medications from licensed Canadian pharmacies? The fact is, drugs purchased from licensed Canadian pharmacies generally come from the same U.S. drug manufacturers that ship them to American pharmacies. Legitimate pharmacies in the U.S. and Canada rarely, if ever, receive counterfeit medications.
In 2003 the U.S. House of Representatives approved importing prescription medications from Canada by a vote of 243 to 186. The U.S. Senate has voted similarly. Many state and local governments are currently purchasing Canadian medications for their employees. These actions by government officials speak volumes about the quality of drugs coming in from across the border.
Canadians drugs from licensed pharmacies are safe — period. So, why has the Bush Administration opposed legalization? The pharmaceutical lobby has enormous influence in Washington — and they are worried about their profits. Millions of Americans are already buying their prescription drugs from Canada. Big drug companies such as Pfizer and GlaxoSmithKline have even gone so far as to refuse to sell to Canadian pharmacies that ship medications back to the United States.
Debates about these programs continue in congress and support for legalizing the importation of prescription drugs from Canada goes both ways. Supporters contend that the added pressure will force the American government to allow the importation of prescription drugs