N.H. to obtain drugs via Canada (Gov will defy FDA)

[RamboLiberal]

http://www.boston.com/news/nation/articles/2003/12/10/nh_to_obtain_drugs_via_canada/

Governor Craig Benson of New Hampshire will set up a program to import prescription drugs from Canada, declaring yesterday that he plans to reduce state prescription drug costs even if it means defying the Food and Drug Administration.

In an interview, Benson brushed aside the FDA's repeated warnings about the safety of drugs shipped from Canada. He also dismissed the FDA's caution that importation would expose states to civil lawsuits if someone dies or is injured by an illegally imported drug.

"The FDA and drug companies have been spreading this notion that it is unsafe, but I have a different take," Benson said. "We have a lot of people who are not taking prescription drugs because they can't afford them. I think there's a liability for sitting still."

Importing drugs from Canada is illegal under US law. The FDA said it wants to talk to Benson about his program but does not plan to take any action before New Hampshire begins importing drugs.

Thus far, the only government entity to operate a program is the City of Springfield. But

[La_Serpiente]

1. hahahahah

and he's a REPUBLICAN!!!!

[bif]

2. "Live free or die!"

I love it! Maybe they'll set an example for the rest of the states.

[el_gato]

3. cool, the FDA is illegitimate now (corporate functionary)

maybe more and more states will do this

[HereSince1628]

4. So how many states does this make now?

I'm aware of Wisconsin, Illinois and now New Hampshire adopting this approach as public policy.

Which other states have formal policy on this? The whole northern tier?

[Monte Carlo]

5. I think Massachusetts plans on it as well...

... though I might just be making this up.

[Tempest]

8. You were close, Maine will be purchasing drugs from Canada next year

n/t

[skippysmom]

10. I have heard that too

I think Mitt said something about it???

When will they wake up in Washington and stand up to the damn drug companies?

[markus]

6. GOper Pawlenty in MN is talking about doing the same

but I don't know if he'd go as far as to fight the FDA. But I don't know how else he could do it.

He had the best line of the year on the subject. Asked about the "safety" issue while visiting Winnipeg, he noted he didn't see the streets littered with the bodies of Canadian dead from unsafe perscriptions.

[truthspeaker]

7. this is encouraging

Because in all other ways Pawlenty is a Bush toady.

[Demeter]

9. The Boston Tea Party -- Revisited

Yes, Boston is planning on going to Canada for its retirees and poor.

The nation has had enough--FINALLY!

This is the thread that will unravel the entire Bush knitting.

[goforit]

11. Whooo Hoooo!!!....Way to go NH!!!.....1776 Revival against King George

LOL!!!!!

Very Impressed!!!!

[Teaser]

12. Long term, this is bad...

Because the drug pushers will just stop selling to Canada in bulk, or limit their sales to the Canadian government.

Long term, we need a government buyer here too, which will force the companies to lower prices through lack of other markets to make money in...