Canadian-sourced medications more affordable

To the Editor:
I am a resident of the town of Colonie in NY and am currently purchasing medication from Canada. Example, one month’s worth of a specific asthma medication from CVS cost us $170. We started using Canada Pharmacy and now get three months of the same medication for $150 including shipping. $170 vs. $50 for a month.
What a sad state of affairs that the country is prisoner to the pharmaceutical companies and now we may not be able to purchase medications from Canada for much longer. This is very distressful to me and I’m sure many others.
US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has a dangerous new rule beginning October 22 that will threaten the healthcare of millions of Americans. The rule, “Indefinite Suspension of the De Minimis Exemption for Mail Shipments,” will effectively end Americans’ ability to personally import their prescription medicines.
Importing prescription drugs from licensed international pharmacies is the only lifeline for seniors on limited incomes, people with high-deductible health plans, and the uninsured. That’s why CBP and the FDA have allowed it for decades. Due to the much lower cost of medications in Canada and other countries, imported medicine is their only option.
Many imported drugs can be less than half the US price. These necessary medicines prevent blood clots, treat diabetes, and much more. This CBP rule will cut off access to the only affordable prescription drugs for millions, and that will lead to unnecessary harm and preventable deaths.
I ask readers to immediately call or write our senators and US representatives and demand they stop CBP from implementing any rule-making that restricts Americans from importing personal-use prescription drugs from licensed pharmacies in Canada or other countries.
Renee Charbonneau
Cohoes, NY