Edited by Adrienne Blanchard and Jennifer Wilkie
Contents
- Don Mazankowski Joins Gowlings
- Canadians Pay More Than Necessary For Generic Drugs
- More Health Care Money May Be Available To Provinces
- States Challenge For Waiver Of Drug Import Ban
- U.K.: Internet-Only Pharmacies Given Government Approval
Don Mazankowski Joins Gowlings
Gowlings is pleased to announce that the Right Honourable Donald F. Mazankowski has joined the Firm. Mr. Mazankowski will draw on his extensive background and experience in the health care, finance, transportation, agriculture and energy sectors to provide strategic business and government advice to Gowlings clients. Mr. Mazankowski's counsel is often sought in the private sector where he serves as a director or trustee for a number of Canada's leading companies. During his 25 years as a member of Parliament, Mr. Mazankowski played a key role in launching tax reform, and the privatization of Petro-Canada and Air Canada. Contact the Right Honourable Donald Mazankowski.
Canadians Pay More Than Necessary For Generic Drugs
Government drug policies in Canada favour generic drug companies, allowing them to exercise monopoly-style control over the market, according to a new study, Generic Drugopoly: Why Non-patented Prescription Drugs Cost More in Canada Than in the United States and Europe. Citing various factors in the environment, author Brett Skinner states, "All of this suggests that Canadian governments may be using pharmaceutical policy to subsidize the development of a domestic drug industry, a practice that is inefficient, costly to consumers and taxpayers, and a violation of free-trade principles that could be open to challenge under international agreements."
For more information, please see:
http://www.fraserinstitute.ca/shared/readmore.asp?sNav=pb&id=685
More Health Care Money May Be Available To Provinces
According to reports, the federal government may be willing to provide more than the $9 billion dollars over five years to the provinces than currently being offered. This additional money would be contingent upon the provinces agreeing to a set of principles that are aimed at reducing waiting lists. The provinces are currently asking that a program be established through which the federal government would pay for all drugs, and the provinces could then reduce waiting lists.
For more information, please see:
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20040901.wxpremiers01/BNStory/National/
States Challenge For Waiver Of Drug Import Ban
The State of Vermont has become the first state to legally challenge a federal ban on drug imports, marking it the first state to use legal avenue in the expanding battle over Canadian imports. The state filed the suit against the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), claiming the agencies are ignoring congressional instructions to establish a system of waivers to enable drug importation. Oregon has become the latest state to request a similar waiver in order to develop a plan for re-importation.
For more information, please see:
http://www.boston.com:80/business/articles/2004/08/20/vt_sues_over_importing_drugs
http://www.bend.com/news/ar_view%5E3Far_id%5E3D17430.htm
U.K.: Internet-Only Pharmacies Given Government Approval
Following a report from the Office of Fair Trade stating that the industry should be deregulated, the British government has agreed to allow pharmacies to operate solely on the Internet without the need to be connected to bricks and mortar pharmacies. It is believed that easier access to prescription medicines will result.
For more information, please see:
http://www.reuters.co.uk/newsPackageArticle.jhtml?type=topNews&storyID=567600§ion=news
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