Here is the response I got from my MLA


Good morning Amber,

Please accept my apology for the delay in response to your email. I wanted to make sure I had answers to all your concerns regarding prescription drugs before answering.

* First, please be aware that the drug donepezil (Aricept) and the drug mematine (Namenda, marketed as Ebixa in Canada) are patented brand name products. In Canada, drug pricing for such drugs are regulated by the Patented Medicine Prices Review Board (PMPRB). This national body ensures that the Canadian consumer's interests are protected and that patented medicines sold in Canada are not excessive. If a price is found to be excessive, the PMPRB can order price reductions.


* In order to provide response bullets, we investigated the websites referenced in the correspondence. One of the two online pharmacies -- gpchealth.com or Global Pharmacy Canada -- has been subject to a warning from Health Canada. Products sold at www.globalpharmacycanada.com have not been authorized for sale by Health Canada and Global Pharmacy Canada is not a licensed pharmacy in Canada. To learn more about the warning please see the following Health Canada website:

www.hc-sc.gc.ca/ahc-asc/media/advisories-avis/_2010/2010_127-eng.php.


* The other online pharmacy -- candrugs.com -- is licensed in the province of British Columbia by the College of Pharmacists of BC. However, the pricing of the drug products quoted in the correspondence could not be verified with candrugs.com. In fact, the pricing that we were quoted by candrugs.com for 84 tablets of the drug donepezil (Aricept 10mg RDT) was $599, significantly higher than a price of $76 for 100 tablets referenced in the letter. Also, candrugs.com did not carry the drug mematine in the strength referenced in the letter (Namenda 10 mg), but the price quoted for a quantity of 60, 5mg tablets of Namenda was $225.


* These prices are higher than the maximum amounts that PharmaCare pays for these drugs for beneficiaries. The maximum amount reimbursed for 84 tablets of Aricept 10mg is $425.25; and for Namenda (Ebixa in Canada) PharmaCare pays a maximum of $227.12 for 90 10mg tablets. PharmaCare maximum amounts allow pharmacies an 8% mark up on the list price of the drug. Some pharmacies may charge a higher mark up amount to customers who are not receiving PharmaCare coverage.


* In respect to purchasing drugs over the internet, there are certain risks that the patient undertakes. The individual may find the following Health Canada article on "Buying Drugs over the Internet" helpful:

http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/hl-vs/alt_formats/pacrb-dgapcr/pdf/iyh-vsv/med/internet-eng.pdf.


In response to your concern of patient to staff care at Mill Site and Fisher Place, I would like to discuss this you. Could you please contact my Constituent Assistant Bonnie Gavin at bonnie.gavin@leg.bc.ca or call 1.866.305.3804 to set up an appointment.

Thank you for your email, and I look forward to meeting with you to discuss your further concerns.


From the office of
Donna Barnett, MLA
Cariboo Chilcotin

Amber, check this out

http://www.payingforseniorcare.com/10-ways-to-reduce-the-cost-of-assisted-living.html

I've been ordering our drugd from Canadian companies for years - some of them come from India, others from New Zealand or Israel -- all have been fine. You do have to be careful who you order from, though; the link above is from a National Caregiver's site and it gives a link for Canadian drugs.

I have contemplated purchasing pharmaceutical medication from Canada (and other countries) and I think one of my biggest concerns is giving them my credit card. When on-line purchasing though an off-shore business if there is fraud, misrepresentation etc. there is no way to prosecute these off-shore businesses. I am sure that there are many reputable companies off-shore, but how can one be 100% sure?

redbud73086,
I was not aware of the reloadable Visa card. Thank you so very much. I hate giving my credit card out to a stranger and this really is peace of mind. Thanks again!!!! Lullie