CONTACTStaffCAREER OPPORTUNITIESADVERTISE WITH USPRIVACY POLICYPRIVACY PREFERENCESTERMS OF USELEGAL NOTICE
© 2024 Pride Publishing Inc.
All Rights reserved
All Rights reserved
By continuing to use our site, you agree to our Private Policy and Terms of Use.
Illinois and Wisconsin on Monday jointly launched the nation's first state-backed program to help residents buy cheaper prescription drugs from both Europe and Canada--despite federal laws banning the practice. The program, called I-SaveRx, works through a Canada-based clearinghouse and claims it can save residents 25% to 50% off U.S. retail prices on about 100 prescription medications. Prices on brand-name drugs in Canada and other countries can be significantly lower than the U.S. price for the same medications because of cost controls. Some anti-HIV drugs, for example, are available in Canada at half the price charged in the United States. "Now the nearly 13 million people who live in Illinois and the more than 5 million people who live in Wisconsin will have the opportunity to save hundreds--and in some cases even thousands--of dollars each year on the high cost of their medicine," Illinois governor Rod Blagojevich said in announcing the start of the program. "Our seniors will no longer have to spend more money than they have just to afford the medicine they need." By including pharmacies in Ireland and the United Kingdom, I-SaveRx goes beyond programs in other states that direct residents on how to buy prescription drugs from Canada, where drugs are often cheaper because of government price controls. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration opposes such reimporting of prescription drugs, saying it cannot guarantee the safety of drugs sold through foreign pharmacies. But it has not stopped Minnesota and other states from setting up Internet sites to help consumers buy drugs through Canadian pharmacies. The FDA had no immediate comment on the I-SaveRx program. Illinois, which created the I-SaveRx program, will not import the drugs itself. Instead, it has contracted with a Canadian company to connect residents with 45 foreign pharmacies and wholesalers that have been approved by Illinois health inspectors and verified by Wisconsin. The clearinghouse will provide information about 100 of the most common brand-name drugs used to treat chronic or long-term conditions. (AP, with additional reporting by Advocate.com)
From our Sponsors
Most Popular
18 of the most batsh*t things N.C. Republican governor candidate Mark Robinson has said
October 30 2024 11:06 AM
True
After 20 years, and after tonight, Obama will no longer be the Democrats' top star
August 20 2024 12:28 PM
More Than 50 of Our Favorite LGBTQ+ Moms
May 12 2024 11:44 AM
Trump ally Laura Loomer goes after Lindsey Graham: ‘We all know you’re gay’
September 13 2024 2:28 PM
60 wild photos from Folsom Street East that prove New York City knows how to play
June 21 2024 12:25 PM
Melania Trump cashed six-figure check to speak to gay Republicans at Mar-a-Lago
August 16 2024 5:57 PM
Latest Stories
Texas Republican leader openly uses 'gay' and the R-word as insults, faces no consequences
November 01 2024 12:16 PM
The Advocate saved my life. Here's how you can support our important work.
November 01 2024 10:59 AM
Minnesota Rep. Angie Craig battles for reelection to continue path toward LGBTQ+ equality
November 01 2024 10:54 AM
Mark Takano is leading the charge for LGBTQ+ representation and equality in Congress for 2024
November 01 2024 10:48 AM
Equalpride launches The Advocates with Sonia Baghdady
November 01 2024 9:00 AM