Bush stands fast against Canadian drugs: Administration says imports pose ‘potential of harm’
Thank God for Our Sainted President, for without his firm, steadfast leadership, Americans would be exposed to the evil machinations of Canadian drug companies…and you know how shifty and untrustworthy those evil Canadians can be. I mean, what can you expect from a country whose main exports are cold fronts and hockey players, eh?
If not for George W. Bush standing between evil, reprobate Canadian pharmaceutical firms and innocent Americans consumers, who knows what havoc would be visited upon us? We could…GASP!!…be saving money- and you know how much havoc that could potentially wreak on our fragile, vulnerable economy.
WASHINGTON - The Bush administration dug in its heels Tuesday against importation of prescription drugs from Canada and other countries, questioning the cost savings and safety of such purchases….
The Department of Health and Human Services stopped short of promising legal action against states ó including Illinois, Wisconsin and Minnesota ó that have defied government regulations and set up drug purchase programs with Canadian pharmacies. An administration spokesman said the department is leaving the door open to lawsuits.
In a report submitted to Congress, the department outlined its concerns and objections to prescription drug imports, which amounted to $700 million last year from Canada alone, through Internet sales and personal travel.
“It would be extraordinarily difficult and costly for ‘personal’ importation to be implemented in a way that ensures the safety and effectiveness of the imported drugs,” the HHS Task Force on Drug Importation said.
The 145-page report, unveiled in Washington by U.S. Surgeon General Richard Carmona, cited significant risks from importing drugs and long-term damage to the leadership role the U.S. drug industry plays in developing new medicines. Although Carmona said he could not point to specific instances of people dying from imported drugs, he said there is a “great, great potential of harm” from people buying imported drugs.
Of course, it would be difficult to adequately protect the bottom line of American pharmaceutical firms, many of whom are major donors to Republican coffers, if evil and potentially dangerous Canadian drugs are allowed into the US. Carmona’s “great, great potential of harm” might just refer to the amount of money in campaign donations that would be lost to Republicans. No doubt, American drug companies will be so adversely impacted by the nefarious importation of Canadian drugs that they would no longer be able to afford to donate to Republicans. Talk about a crisis, eh?
The report provoked sharp responses from supporters of drug importation. The Alliance for Retired Americans said the report “stiffs” seniors who have sought to buy needed medications more cheaply in Canada. U.S. Rep. Rahm Emanuel, D-Ill., joined a chorus of other House members, saying it is “ironic that two weeks after the HHS announcement that millions of flu vaccine doses will be imported from Germany, HHS is releasing a report creating major roadblocks to drug importation.”
They called the report “one-sided” and said it reflects a commission made up entirely of opponents of drug importation.
Yep, I know I feel much better know that George W. Bush is working to protect me…er, American drug companies. But for his insightful, determined leadership, no doubt utter chaos would reign supreme…and American pharmaceutical companies would be trying to pull their stock out of the toilet. Pobresito….
