Proposal by Illinois Governor Blagojevich to explore purchase of Canadian prescriptions illustrates reasonableness, need for access

Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich's plan to utilize prescrptions from Canada validates actions already taken by seniors says leading Internet-based pharmacy

(PRWEB) October 10, 2003 --The proposal by Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich to explore the possibility of the state of Illinois allowing employees and retirees to purchase prescription drugs from Canada in an effort to reduce the states deficit crisis illustrates the fact that for millions of Americans such prescriptions are already a way of life.
Reputable Canadian pharmacies have empowered American seniors especially by utilizing the Internet to offer low-cost, high-quality prescriptions," says Jeremy Cockerill, partner and pharmacy manager for Universal Drug Store.

Cockerill points out that prescriptions prepared by reputable Canadian pharmacies on the Internet are approved by Canadian regulators and must meet the highest standards of quality and safety.

It is this commitment to quality, safety and low-cost that has caused the American pubic to turn to pharmacies such as ours and our site at www.UniversalDrugStore.com in growing numbers," Cockerill continues.
He says that it is only a natural course of events that the realities of the marketplace will lead to moves such as those proposed by Governor Blagojevich. Already, at least one municipality in Massachussetts has made such a decision, he points out.

Cockerill is aware that Governor Blagojevich will be the target of some criticism and charges, much of it unfounded. The Food and Drug Administration says that the sale of prescriptions via the Internet might be illegal, but according to one national news report, it allows its own employees to purchase such prescriptions.

Also, in July, the U.S. House of Representatives voted overwhelmingly to approve an amendment to the FDA appropriations bill urging the FDA not to attempt to block the sale of prescriptions over the Internet.

The House has also approved a bill allowing the reimportation of prescriptions from Canada, and a number of seniors groups have arranged bus trips for their members into Canada to purchase prescriptions.

All of these factors illustrate that there is a growing groundswell of support for the freedom of choice that Canadian pharmacies such as Universal Drug Store can offer the American public," Cockerill explains. Now, Governor Blagojevich has illustrated that the same considerations that have caused Americans to use Canadian pharmacies as individuals have had their decision validated by evolving public policy."
Four pharmaceutical companies have threatened to stop sales of their medicines in Canada unless sales by Canadian pharmacies to American consumers are ended. The result has been an ongoing public protest with implications for the 2004 elections. Another impact has been to increase interest in the use of generics from Canadian pharmacies, increasing the savings even more.

Cockerill has one word of counsel for the Illinois Governor: know your supplier.

"This is crucial," he says. That is why Universal Drug Store has begun an expanded education and information effort to provide the highest comfort level for our clients by letting them know of our commitment to quality and safety."

Universal Drugstore Ltd. is a fully licensed Canadian Pharmacy, with Manitoba Pharmaceutical Association license number 32-229.
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