prescription coverage

[kani-lehua]

http://starbulletin.com/2008/05/09/news/story11.html

"lawmakers ok program to buy foreign medicines"

"it would be available to everyone but would be most beneficial for residents with inadequate prescriptin coverage in their health insurance."

http://www.i-savrx.net

[cynsaligia]

http://starbulletin.com/2008/05/09/news/story11.html

"lawmakers ok program to buy foreign medicines"

"it would be available to everyone but would be most beneficial for residents with inadequate prescriptin coverage in their health insurance."

http://www.i-savrx.net

that's great in terms of cost-saving for patients, but i have concerns about the quality of foreign-made medicines or medicines made with components from other countries. the FDA does not have the power to inspect foreign drug manufacturers or drug component manufacturers to assure quality & safety.

heparin is a drug used during kidney dialysis. recently, 81 people in the US died because a component of heparin that originated from china, was substituted for something cheaper (http://www.nytimes.com/2008/04/30/health/policy/30heparin.html?ref=policy).

[Adri]

Quality control and safety is a big issue everywhere. The FDA finally caught up with Merck for issues with manufacturing in the U.S. The issue isn't just authority to inspect (although that is a big issue) but the resources and manpower to do the inspection even here in the U.S.

http://www.fda.gov/foi/warning_letters/s6756c.htm

I understand Canada is supposed to have a very good inspection system but I totally agree about wariness about drugs made in other countries.