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Canada blocks bulk exports of some prescription drugs in response to Trump import plan

Published 11/28/2020, 02:50 PM
Updated 11/29/2020, 06:30 AM
© Reuters. FILE PHOTO: Trump and Trudeau meet at the NATO summit in Watford

© Reuters. FILE PHOTO: Trump and Trudeau meet at the NATO summit in Watford

By Steve Scherer

OTTAWA (Reuters) - Canada on Saturday blocked bulk exports of prescription drugs if they would create a shortage at home, in response to outgoing U.S. President Donald Trump's efforts to allow imports from Canada to lower some drug prices for Americans.

"Certain drugs intended for the Canadian market are prohibited from being distributed for consumption outside of Canada if that sale would cause or worsen a drug shortage," Health Minister Patty Hajdu said in a statement.

"Companies will now also be required to provide information to assess existing or potential shortages, when requested, and within 24 hours if there is a serious or imminent health risk," the statement said.

The Canadian measure went into effect on Friday, just days before a U.S. "Importation Prescription Drugs" rule that would eventually allow licensed U.S. pharmacists or wholesalers to import in bulk certain prescription drugs intended for the Canadian market.

Neither the White House nor the Department of Health and Human Services had an immediate response to a request for comment.

Trump touted the plan in his first debate with President-elect Joe Biden, who has also said during his campaign that he would set up a similar import plan to try to reduce prescription drug costs for Americans.

"Canada is a small market, representing 2% of global drug sales, that sources 68% of its drugs internationally. The need for vigilance in maintaining the national drug supply continues," the statement said.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said in September he was willing to help other nations with pharmaceutical supplies if possible, adding that his priority was protecting the needs of Canadians.

Many of Canada's drug suppliers opposed Trump's plan, saying it could lead to shortages.

© Reuters. A pharmacist counts prescription drugs at the at the CentreTown Pharmacy in Ottawa

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Generic drugs cost are the same. The patent drugs r under price controll, much cheaper, in canada at usa expense. Companies invent new drugs are not allowed to charge ‘research expense recoup’ because most researches are done in usa.
is this will effect cannabis??
This is the primary reason why capitalists scream laissez faire! They don't want to compete! Or they can't! Remove the fat surplus or profit margin and there's no interest in bringing product to the market
To put it more clearly, price controls remove much of the profit incentive when demand increases.
Ah, yes an enlightened gentlemen perhaps. Capitalism is not more efficient by default. This proves it
Canada demonstrating to the world, that communisn is much more efficient then capitalism. But we all knew that already didn't we??
Why can't American firms compete? Explain please
Bruh do you think Canada is a communist country? Ahahaha
So, Can we call that Canadian first? I thought it is fair. And I don't see any problem with it because the government should serve its people first.  But why when we say American first, so many people whining.
Coz Trump disregard other nations and only think of himself First..
It is only the American hating leftists who whine, you know, the leftist Democrats.
Trump saying "America first" basically means "we do what we want and the rest of the world can go and **** themselves"
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