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05/13/04 Minnesota Public Radio Gov. Tim
Pawlenty says he's taking the next step on the issue of drug
reimportation. A plan Pawlenty announced Thursday would allow
Minnesota's 120,000 state employees to get certain drugs at
no cost to them -- if they buy from a Canadian Internet pharmacy.
He says the employees and the state will save a significant
amount of money on drug costs. Minnesota is the first state
in the nation to take such action. But critics say the action
is illegal and will have a short shelf life. St. Paul, Minn. - Under Pawlenty's plan, employees would essentially get eligible prescriptions for free. Pawlenty intends to waive all employee co-payments, as well as shipping and handling costs, for purchases through the Canadian Web site, AdvantageMeds.com. Under the plan, state employees will save at least $180 a year for each drug. Pawlenty says the initiative will also save the state about $1.5 million over the next year. "What will happen at first is there will be a modest amount of people who will use it and try it. As word leaks out that it was a good experience or a helpful experience, it will spread," Pawlenty says. "And we hope that a year or two from now that it mushroomed or grew significantly." State employees will have access to 45 drugs at first. Most will be maintenance drugs, which are used to treat conditions such as high cholesterol, arthritis and depression. Officials say eight of the top 10 drugs used by state employees are on the list. Pawlenty says the state should see savings, because Canadian price controls make drugs less expensive. Peter Benner with the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Council 6, says he'll encourage his members to take advantage of the plan. But Benner is urging state employees to hurry, since several drug companies have cut off supplies to Canadian Internet pharmacies that sell to U.S. consumers. Click Here for more.
Affordable RX ® - "Your Prescription for Savings" ™
State employees can order drugs from Canada for free Seniors group files lawsuit over Canada imports Affordable imports of prescription drugs from Canada Thompson shifts on drug imports Senator says buying Canadian drugs could save California millions Governor Pushes Pilot Program on Cheaper Canadian Drugs Lawmakers look north for savings on prescriptions Senate Votes to Allow Importing of Prescription Drugs From Canada Cross border pharmacy regulation Is reimportation coming? It's looking good Kerry favors importing cheaper Canadian drugs Seniors protest after company cuts off supply to Canadian pharmacies, seek to legalize reimportation AARP Will Lobby for Canadian DrugsSeattle to look at Canadian drugs City May Import Medicines / Canadian drugs could save up to $2.4 million White House, GOP forced to take new look at Canadian drugs Medicare drug benefit, Medicare Drug Card, Medicare Prescription Plan for Seniors Springfield Massachusetts Saves $2M on Canadian Drugs from Canada Pharmacies Wisconsin Canadian Drugs Web Site , Governor Jim Doyle Canada Pharmacy Wisconsin Website
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