BLAGOJEVICH ASKS CANADIAN PRIME MINISTER NOT TO BAN RX DRUG EXPORTS

The governor of Illinois has asked the Canadian prime minister to consider adopting stronger rules for internet and mail-order pharmacies rather than banning prescription drug exports altogether.

In a letter, Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich (D) urged Canadian Prime Minister Paul Martin not to take drastic action that would harm millions of Americans who acquire prescription drugs from Canada. Rather, Blagojevich asked Martin to consider strengthening regulations to ensure Canadian doctors have the information they need to safely cosign or rewrite prescriptions for American patients.

Blagojevich's request follows the announcement that Canada Health Minister Ujjal Dosanjh is considering proposals to regulate the country's internet pharmacies, including making it illegal for doctors to sign prescriptions for patients they haven't examined, prohibiting doctors from signing prescriptions for patients who are not physically present in Canada, and/or establishing a list of drugs that could be prohibited for export.

Canada supplies roughly half of the drugs used in the multistate I-Save Rx program, launched in October by Blagojevich and Wisconsin Gov. Jim Doyle (D). As a sign of the matter's urgency, he and two other governors sent a letter to President Bush urging him to use the full diplomatic influence of the U.S. to discourage Canada from taking such an action.