GSK moves to prevent unsafe imports of prescription drugs

In a move aimed at halting the illegal and potentially dangerous importation of prescription drugs, GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) will no longer supply prescrip-tion drugs to Canadian wholesalers and pharmacies that export medicines outside Canada.

While the company understands the concerns of Americans without prescription drug coverage, it believes that ordering medicines over the Internet from Canada or other countries is not the answer and puts patients at risk.

GSK has responded to concerns about affordability by providing more than $150m of medicines free of charge to the most needy and by offering savings of up to 40% through prescriptions discount schemes like the Orange Card and the Together Rx card. Indeed, it says that there is no significant price difference between advertised Internet prices from Canada and GSK's price in the US through the Orange Card or Together Rx.

GSK is committed to working with the American government and other stakeholders to ensure that those who need our medicines are able to obtain access,' said Chris Viehbacher, president GSK US Pharmaceuticals.

Under the Food Drug & Cosmetics Act, the inter-state shipment of any prescription drug that lacks required FDA approval is illegal. The Internet poses risks for patients since the origin and authenticity of the product cannot be guaranteed and offers no assurances that patients have access to appropriate physician involvement or to the dispensing pharmacist.

'If you buy drugs that come from outside the US, the FDA doesn't know what you're getting, which means safety can't be assured,' said Joe McCallion, a consumer safety officer in the FDA's Office of Regulatory Affairs.