Internet pharmacies a potential problem, says think tank
The C.D. Howe Institute wants Internet pharmacies shut down, saying they represent a threat to domestic drug supplies and prices.
A report for the think tank says selling drugs over the internet to Americans was a half-billion-dollar business last year.
And it says because drugs cost less in Canada, internet pharmacies are costing the pharmaceutical companies a lot of money.
Canadian regulations prohibit them from raising prices at a rate higher than inflation. So the report predicts the companies will hold back supplies, which could lead to shortages and eventually higher prices.
The B.C. Pharmacy Association's Marnie Mitchell agrees there could be a problem with possible restrictions on access to new medications.
"There is concern that new drugs will not be coming on to the Canadian market, or not coming on as quickly," she says.
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But B.C. Health Minister Colin Hansen says he's found no evidence British Columbians will lose out because of internet pharmacies.
"We do keep a very close watching brief on this practice, and to date we certainly have not seen any reason that British Columbians should be concerned," he says.
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However, Hansen says he would like to see the federal government become more involved in monitoring the impact of internet pharmacies.
