Canadian Prescriptions Under Fire
Some of you reading this in the U.S. may either be getting prescription medications from Canada (where they are cheaper) or have a friend or relative who is doing so. I recently got a notice from one Canadian company regarding a GlaxoSmithKline crackdown on this process, which I'm putting out to the BlogUniverse:
(edited for conciseness)
... we may not be able to serve your needs much longer, because of attacks by the pharmaceutical industry. We urgently need your help to ensure that we can continue to provide you with this service.
Earlier this month, Glaxo SmithKline... had announced a ban of its Canadian drugs from being sold by Canadian pharmacies to any American customers. While Glaxo says they're taking this step for safety reasons... Canadian pharmacies believe that the drug company is really concerned about their profits.
Importantly, if Glaxo's ban goes unchallenged, other drug makers may follow Glaxo's lead.
Please show your opposition to this major threat to your low-cost Canadian drug resource... by taking these "Action Steps" today:
1.a. Email your U.S. Senators by using the direct, free links found at the www.capwiz.com website... ask them to stop Glaxo's ban against Americans buying Canadian drugs, and prevent other companies from doing the same.
1.b. Do not buy any GSK over the counter medications, such as Coactifed, Neosporin, etc.
1.c. Email all your friends and acquaintances to do the same.
2. Call Glaxo's toll-free consumer line at 1-800-825-5249. A recorded voicemail will lead you through several prompts before you can give your comments to a live operator. When the operator answers, we recommend that you tell them that "Glaxo's ban against Canadian drugs is hurting American seniors, to lift the ban immediately, and that you will tell your doctor to give you a therapeutic substitute from another company."
3. Write to Glaxo's U.S. president to share your feelings:
Mr. Christopher Viehbacher, President
GlaxoSmithKline US Pharmaceuticals
5 Moore Drive, P.O. Box 13398,
Research Triangle Park, NC 27709
I offer this as an option, speaking as a physician with many patients who have been driven to order drugs by mail, since their insurance is no longer covering many medications.
posted by Dr. Alice at #
