R.I. mulls prescription drugs from Canada
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PROVIDENCE, Rhode Island (AP) -- The secretary of state on Tuesday urged Rhode Island to join several cities and states that have plans to buy prescription drugs from Canada, despite a federal prohibition on importing them.
Matt Brown said a prescription program for state employees and retirees could save millions of dollars for Rhode Island, which faces a projected $37 million deficit for the fiscal year that ends June 30.
Brown also said he will set up a Web site to help Rhode Island residents buy medications from Canada, where prescription drugs are often substantially cheaper.
"Americans pay the highest prescription drug prices in the world," Brown said in a statement. "This program will help Rhode Islanders get access to quality, affordable prescription drugs."
Boston Mayor Thomas Menino plans to begin allowing the city's employees and retirees to buy drugs from Canada this year, despite pressure from the Food and Drug Administration, which says buying drugs from Canada is risky because U.S. officials cannot guarantee the safety and dosages of the imported medicines.
New Hampshire and Illinois are among the group of states and municipalities developing various plans for purchasing drugs from Canada.
The city of Springfield, Massachusetts, already imports Canadian drugs.
A message left for an FDA spokeswoman for comments on Brown's planned Web site was not immediately returned.
An aide to Lt. Gov. Charles Fogarty said the lieutenant governor appreciates Brown's interest in health care reform.
"Any effort to help people pay for the prescription drugs they need at prices they can afford is worthy of strong consideration," spokesman Ray Sullivan said.
Copyright 2004 The
Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
