IMPORTED DRUGS COULD BE BOGUS.

Byline: Gary Scott Staff Writer

SOUTH PASADENA - As state lawmakers push to give Californians greater access to cheap prescription drugs from Canada, the U.S. pharmaceutical industry is sounding the alarm about dangerous counterfeit drugs flooding the import market.

The latest salvo in the prescription drug wars came Thursday at a press conference in South Pasadena.

Citing reports from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, representatives from the California Pharmacists Association warned consumers against buying medicines from outside the United States, saying they pose a significant health risk.

``It's the Wild, Wild West out there,'' said Dr. Michael Negrete, vice president of clinical affairs for CPA.

In a ``blitz campaign'' last November, the FDA examined 1,982 parcels containing imported medications and found 1,782 ``unapproved drugs.'' While 80 percent of the packages came through Canada, many of the medications were manufactured elsewhere, the report said.

Michael Miller, owner of the Fair Oaks Pharmacy where the press conference was held, said those who import drugs are ``playing Russian roulette with their lives.''

People who fear they cannot afford medication should consult their doctor, pharmacist and insurer, rather than take a chance ordering medication online or from outside of the country, he said.

``Come to the local pharmacy and get counsel,'' Miller added. ``Protect your loved ones from harm.''

The admonitions come on the eve of a speech by Assemblyman Dario Frommer, D-Glendale, at the Pasadena Seniors Center.

Frommer has introduced a bill that would list ``certified'' Canadian pharmacies who want to do business in the state.

``What we found in our research is that the Canadian pharmaceutical supply chain is actually safer than here,'' Frommer said. ``There is less opportunity for tampering and counterfeiting.''

Pasadena activist Marvin Schachter, a member of the state's Commission on Aging, said he believes the real purpose of Thursday's press conference was more about politics than safety concerns. He advocated importation of prescription medicines a way to temper skyrocketing drug prices.

A greater and more immediate health threat than counterfeit drugs is for people to do without medication because they cannot afford the prescription, Schachter said.

Sally Pipes, president of the Pacific Research Institute, acknowledged her chief concern was the damage to the American pharmaceutical industry if the borders were opened.

``The reason drugs are cheaper in Canada is because Canada has price control,'' Pipes said. Legislation like the state Assembly bill introduced by Frommer is an attempt to import those price controls into the United States, she said.

Pipes contends the result would be detrimental to the industry and cut into profits used to conduct important research and development that leads to better medications.

FDA spokesman Jason Brodsky said fears about counterfeit drugs are real. ``We have seen cases where people thought they were buying from Canada but the shipment came straight from India,'' Brodsky said. ``Counterfeiters are very sophisticated and the importation of drugs gives them another potential entree into the U.S. market.''

With state lawmakers across the nation facing huge budget deficits, there has been increasing pressure on FDA officials to rethink the ban on Canadian imports.

Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich said the fact the FDA permits private health plans to reimburse their members for purchasing prescription drugs from Canada flies in the face of the safety warnings.

Gary Scott can be reached at [phone], Ext. 4458, or by e-mail at gary.scott(at)sgvn.com.

CAPTION(S):

photo

Photo:

(color) Michael Miller

Pharmacy Owner