redex
April 8th, 2004, 04:09 AM
Talk about whiners LOL smileys/smiley8.gif
http://www.bismarcktribune.com/articles/2004/04/08/news/upda te/upd5.txt (http://www.bismarcktribune.com/articles/2004/04/08/news/update/upd5.txt)
Pharmacists question new state drug Web site
By The Associated Press
MINOT - Pharmacists worry the new North Dakota Prescription Drug Guide will direct business away from them.
"It's pretty hard to be too excited about that," said pharmacist Jim Manning at Market Pharmacy in Minot.
The Web site at www.discovernd.com was introduced Tuesday by Gov. John Hoeven. It lets North Dakotan's compare drug prices or link to the state's prescription assistance program, and it lists two Winnipeg, Manitoba, mail-order pharmacies for people who want to get cheaper drugs from Canada.
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"For the governor of the state to direct people specifically not only to another state, for heaven's sake, but to another country, would border on obscene," Manning said. "We are in business just like everyone else, and the problem is not at the local pharmacy level. We certainly aren't the ones who determine prices."
Hoeven said Tuesday the site is aimed at giving North Dakotans options through their local pharmacies first, and not just linking to the Canadian companies. He said it is a short-term solution meant ultimately to pressure federal Food and Drug Administration and force drug companies to lower their prices.
Pharmacist Lance Mohl, at Minot's Keycare Pharmacy, said he was reserving some judgment until he could view the drug guide, but the idea of helping people buy mail-order drugs from Canada bothers him.
"I know its' illegal for Americans to import drugs," he said. "I don't know why we would have the governor in a state encouraging people to do that - to encourage people to do something that's a blatant disregard of the law."
Mohl compared it to having the State Mill buy Canadian wheat.
"Just because something is cheaper in another country doesn't mean it would be good for North Dakota," he said.
"Although the pharmacies are licensed by the province of Manitoba and certified by the Canadian International Pharmacy Association, there is no guarantee they won't sell drugs not approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration," said Howard Anderson, executive director of the North Dakota Pharmacy board. "That puts customers at potential risk for harm.
"There also is no guarantee that other mail-order companies won't place their pop-up Internet ads in front of North Dakotan's accessing the states prescription Web site," Anderson said. "A confused consumer could believe the advertiser is endorsed by the state."
The site's preferred drug list is of limited benefit, Manning said. Pharmacies automatically provide generic drugs because insurance companies require it, unless a doctor specifically indicates a brand-name drug is needed, he said.
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Information from: Minot Daily News, [url="http://www.ndweb.com/"]http://www.ndweb.com (http://oas.lee.net/RealMedia/ads/click_nx.ads/bismarcktribune.com/news/update/Middle1/1@Right,Middle1,Middle2,TopLeft,TopRight,BottomLef t,BottomRight,x05,x06!Middle1)
http://www.bismarcktribune.com/articles/2004/04/08/news/upda te/upd5.txt (http://www.bismarcktribune.com/articles/2004/04/08/news/update/upd5.txt)
Pharmacists question new state drug Web site
By The Associated Press
MINOT - Pharmacists worry the new North Dakota Prescription Drug Guide will direct business away from them.
"It's pretty hard to be too excited about that," said pharmacist Jim Manning at Market Pharmacy in Minot.
The Web site at www.discovernd.com was introduced Tuesday by Gov. John Hoeven. It lets North Dakotan's compare drug prices or link to the state's prescription assistance program, and it lists two Winnipeg, Manitoba, mail-order pharmacies for people who want to get cheaper drugs from Canada.
<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 align=right><T><T>
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<TD class=adbox></NO><NO>[/url]</NO></TD></TR></T></T></T></TABLE>
"For the governor of the state to direct people specifically not only to another state, for heaven's sake, but to another country, would border on obscene," Manning said. "We are in business just like everyone else, and the problem is not at the local pharmacy level. We certainly aren't the ones who determine prices."
Hoeven said Tuesday the site is aimed at giving North Dakotans options through their local pharmacies first, and not just linking to the Canadian companies. He said it is a short-term solution meant ultimately to pressure federal Food and Drug Administration and force drug companies to lower their prices.
Pharmacist Lance Mohl, at Minot's Keycare Pharmacy, said he was reserving some judgment until he could view the drug guide, but the idea of helping people buy mail-order drugs from Canada bothers him.
"I know its' illegal for Americans to import drugs," he said. "I don't know why we would have the governor in a state encouraging people to do that - to encourage people to do something that's a blatant disregard of the law."
Mohl compared it to having the State Mill buy Canadian wheat.
"Just because something is cheaper in another country doesn't mean it would be good for North Dakota," he said.
"Although the pharmacies are licensed by the province of Manitoba and certified by the Canadian International Pharmacy Association, there is no guarantee they won't sell drugs not approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration," said Howard Anderson, executive director of the North Dakota Pharmacy board. "That puts customers at potential risk for harm.
"There also is no guarantee that other mail-order companies won't place their pop-up Internet ads in front of North Dakotan's accessing the states prescription Web site," Anderson said. "A confused consumer could believe the advertiser is endorsed by the state."
The site's preferred drug list is of limited benefit, Manning said. Pharmacies automatically provide generic drugs because insurance companies require it, unless a doctor specifically indicates a brand-name drug is needed, he said.
---
Information from: Minot Daily News, [url="http://www.ndweb.com/"]http://www.ndweb.com (http://oas.lee.net/RealMedia/ads/click_nx.ads/bismarcktribune.com/news/update/Middle1/1@Right,Middle1,Middle2,TopLeft,TopRight,BottomLef t,BottomRight,x05,x06!Middle1)