07 October 2004
Democratic win in U.S. could kill web pharmacies
WINNIPEG - A campaign promise by American vice-presidential candidate John Edwards has Manitoba's online pharmaceutical industry sweating.
Millions of Americans already buy prescription drugs online through Canadian-based pharmacies, but the Federal Drug Administration south of the border frowns on the practice, maintaining there's no guarantee Canadian drugs are safe.
During Tuesday night's debate, Democratic challenger John Edwards promised to rein in America's skyrocketing prescription-drug costs by buying them from Canadian pharmacies.
"We're also going to do something about the cost of prescription drugs," he said. "They blocked allowing prescription drugs from Canada; we're going to allow it."
The Democrats also promised to implement price controls similar to Canada's so drug costs in the United States are on par with prices here.
If the Democrats win and implement the policies, many internet pharmacists in Manitoba say they will first experience a boom in sales, then a spectacular bust.
David MacKay, executive director of the Canadian International Pharmacy Association, says Canada doesn't have nearly enough prescription drugs to supply its southern neighbour on a larger scale.
"I guess the Americans feel that Canada might even be their drug store. Well, that can't happen," he says. "They're going to need to go to Europe. They can't come to Canada for it. It will kill the goose that lays the golden egg."
If Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry wins the White House, the online pharmacy association says implementing price controls in the U.S. would take years - and may never happen. Big pharmaceutical companies, the association points out, are among Washington's most powerful lobby groups.
Dozens of online pharmacies operate in Canada. In Manitoba alone, the industry has created 3,000 jobs, giving the province more than $200 million in taxes every year.
"It will kill the goose that lays the golden egg."
-David MacKay, online pharmacy association
Copyright © 2004 Canadian Broadcasting Corporation
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