Study Finds that Canada Better than Medicare Part D

A recent study of Medicare Part D reveals that it is less expensive for most seniors to order from a Canadian pharmacy. Seniors also have additional incentive to purchase from Canada because changes in US regulations now make it legal and quick to order from north of the border.

Calgary, AB (PRWeb) December 7, 2006 -- Findings released today reveal what many American seniors already know: ordering prescription medications from Medicare Part D is more expensive than ordering from a Canadian pharmacy in almost every case.

Concord Drugstore, a licensed Canadian pharmacy, has finished an extensive study of the Medicare Part D program and when it compared its discounted Canadian drug prices to Medicare's, the findings were revealing. The accompanying chart illustrates that unless someone is seriously ill and spending more than $9500 in annual drug costs, ordering from a Canadian pharmacy can save patients money every other time.

To view the accompanying chart, please see Figure 1 at right or follow link:

http://prweb.com/prfiles/2006/12/06/488394/ComparisonChart.JPG

The president of Concord Drugstore, Jon Conquergood, states: "We can show savings on almost any drug purchased through the average Medicare Part D plan when premiums, co-pays and deductibles are taken into account. The savings are sometimes in excess of 80%" (see table).

To view the table, please see Figure 2 at right or follow link:

http://prweb.com/prfiles/2006/12/06/488394/ComparisonTable.JPG

When patients with multiple medications are considered, the potential savings are even greater because those patients tend to fall into the dreaded Medicare Part D "doughnut hole" coverage gap sooner. Conquergood adds, "The largest savings that an average patient can expect is $1650 per year by buying from Canada. However, many medications are cheaper than the average, and even greater savings can be achieved."

Medicare Part D Getting Worse

In actual fact, 2007 will prove to be a worse year than 2006 for most seniors. Not only have drug prices in the US gone up faster than the rate of inflation, but the deductible and the "doughnut hole" coverage gap have all increased. As Jon Conquergood reveals, "Our study indicates that in 2006, the crossover point where Medicare became cheaper than Canada was $8300 in annual drug costs. In 2007, that number is $9500. So, Medicare Part D continues to get worse, insurance companies and Big Pharma laugh all the way to the bank, and your average senior gets taken to the cleaners!"

Now Legal to Buy Drugs from Canada

Ordering from legitimate Canadian pharmacies has now been given a major legal and political boost. Due to a rider on the latest Homeland Security spending bill, it is now perfectly legal for a US citizen to bring across the border a 90-day supply of Canadian medications for personal use.

Furthermore, as of October 3, 2006, US Customs and Border Protection has stopped seizing all shipments of life-saving medication from Canada while the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has stated that they will concentrate on intercepting counterfeit drugs and narcotics coming from overseas instead. This means fewer delays in receiving medication and fewer letters trying to scare seniors away from ordering from Canada. (The FDA had recently taken to sending unsuspecting seniors a warning letter with a picture of a snake wrapped around a pill bottle).

"For nearly a year, the White House has been punishing seniors for filling their prescriptions at lower Canadian prices" said Sen. Bill Nelson, D-Florida, who criticized the crackdown as an attempt to force people into Medicare's prescription drug plan. "Now, it looks like the government is getting out of the business of harassing these consumers."

No Confusing Paperwork

Ordering from Canada also eliminates the confusing insurance plan selection process, the paperwork and the worry that drugs may not be covered under the plan selected, or at all if prescriptions are changed through the course of the year by a patient's doctor.

Especially troubling is the scenario where seniors on multiple medications must choose between plans that cover only a portion of those medications.

None of these problems exist when ordering through a Canadian pharmacy. Any changes in medical condition or drug therapies are easily handled, without any loss in coverage.

Concord Drugstore is a licensed pharmacy located in Calgary, Alberta, Canada and has been serving American customers for over three years. Concord Drugstore is a member of the industry trade group Canadian International Pharmacy Association (CIPA).

Contact:

Jon Conquergood

President, Concord Drugstore

1-800-506-3880

http://www.ConcordDrugstore.com

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