Schumer wants Canadian medications available in U.S.
Aug. 27, 2003

MARY CHRISTOPHER
Observer-Dispatch

NEW HARTFORD -- Making Canadian medications available to New York consumers would be a priority when U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., heads to Congress next month.

The legislation, now in Congress, would allow licensed pharmacists and drug wholesalers to re-import lower priced, FDA approved medications from Canada to allow savings.

Schumer visited the New Hartford Adult Dining and Activity Center Tuesday to address about 20 area seniors and local leaders.

"They are so expensive unless you have a good medical plan or are well off, you can't afford (prescription drugs)," Schumer said. "One of my goals has been to try to bring the costs of prescription drugs down."

Schumer said he would push members of the joint House-Senate Conference Committee to move on a bill permitting the Canadian drugs while maintaining strict standards to ensure they are safe. He hoped an outcome would be reached by Columbus Day -- Monday, Oct. 13.

Laws allow U.S. citizens to receive Canadian prescriptions, but a Canadian doctor must write the script, which is difficult to obtain.

"This legislation would make it 100 percent legal" for a U.S. doctor to prescribe the drugs, he said.

New York Mills resident Edward Baker hoped Schumer's legislation would take effect for people who don't have medical coverage. Baker, 79, takes 12 pills daily and is grateful he is a veteran with medical coverage.

"All I have to say is thank God I'm a veteran of World War II," he said. "I can go to a VA clinic and get a prescription for $7."