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Letter to the editor

Ten tips

Be a smart shopper at Canadian pharmacies

By LAURA T. COFFEY
Published July 18, 2004

Eager to save money on prescription drugs, more and more Americans are turning to Canadian pharmacies in search of deep discounts. At the moment this tactic is illegal, but authorities have not been rushing to prevent penny-pinching consumers from pursuing it. If you decide to do business with a Canadian pharmacy, the following tips can keep you, and your wallet, as safe as possible.

1. Go in person. One way to be absolutely sure that the medicine you're buying is approved by Health Canada, the Canadian equivalent of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, is to cross the border yourself and have your prescription filled.

2. Be careful when shopping on the Internet. Recognize that many fraudulent Web sites have sprouted maple leaves in an effort to masquerade as the sites of legitimate Canadian pharmacies.

3. Check with Canadian authorities. Contact the licensing authority that covers the province where the pharmacy is based and ask whether the pharmacy is licensed and in good standing. For a list of provincial licensing authorities, visit the Web site of Canada's National Association of Pharmacy Regulatory Authorities: www.napra.org

4. Reputation matters. These two Canadian mail-order pharmacies have met the rigorous standards of the Internet and Mailorder Pharmacy Accreditation Commission (IMPAC): Canadadrugs.com in Winnipeg and Minit Drugs (pharmacy-online.ca) in Calgary.

5. Know what to expect. When you place an order online, the medicine should be sent to you directly by the pharmacy, not by a third party, and it should arrive in sealed factory containers. If you receive a larger amount than prescribed, take only what your doctor directed. If you're sent a substitute drug, make sure your doctor approves of its use.

6. A prescription should be required. Steer clear of any Web site or e-mail offer that says you don't need a prescription for controlled drugs such as Valium and Vicodin. You could get hurt by obtaining counterfeit drugs or taking medicines a doctor would never prescribe for you.

7. Shop around on both sides of the border. Canada's pharmacies may be famous for their bargains, but sometimes you can find even better deals in the United States. For instance, AARP Pharmacy Services (www.aarppharmacy.com) provides free shipping and can be a low-cost mail-order alternative.

8. Opt for generics. Any time you're prescribed a brand-name drug, ask your doctor or pharmacist whether a less expensive, generic version is available. According to a study by the Fraser Institute, a think tank in Vancouver, British Columbia, generic drugs tend to cost more in Canada than in the United States.

9. Look into helpful programs. If you have a limited income, Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America publishes a directory that describes eligibility criteria for reduced-cost or cost-free drug programs. For details, go to www.helpingpatients.org Another Web site that can point you to drug manufacturers' assistance programs is www.needymeds.com

10. Ask your doctor for free samples. Many pharmaceutical companies provide prescription drugs free of charge to physicians whose patients cannot afford them.

- Sources: Kiplinger's Personal Finance magazine (www.kiplinger.com) AARP (www.aarp.org)

[Last modified July 17, 2004, 23:36:24]