Daily Egyptian
Fall '03 Edition
Groups question estimated drug savings for state
Amber Ellis
Daily Egyptian
Gov. Rod Blagojevich released evidence showing Illinois would save millions of dollars by importing prescription drugs from Canada.
By purchasing Canadian drugs, Blagojevich's two-member task force estimated $91 million in savings for state employees and retirees, as well as a reduction in taxpayer's money.
Although several organizations in the pharmaceutical business have questioned the actual savings and safety for Illinois consumers, Blagojevich has continued to fight for lower-cost prescription drugs.
Last month, the National Taxpayers Union released findings from its investigation into Blagojevich's projected savings and claimed estimated savings would be far less than the governor anticipated. They reported an annual savings of $2.7 million annually, which breaks down to 99 cents per enrollee per month.
The union, a non-partisan citizen group working for lower taxes and an accountable government, released its findings in hopes of sending a red flag to other states and cities debating whether to join the ranks of Blagojevich in his prescription drug cost plan.
Abby Ottenhoff, spokeswoman for Blagojevich, said the governor's estimated savings are accurate based on a majority of state employees and retirees joining the program to prevent paying co-payments.
"When we did the calculations, we knew exactly how much we spent on prescription drugs," Ottenhoff said. "I can't imagine they (National Taxpayers Union) had access to that information. We know how much we would be spending in Canada because we spoke to the companies we would purchase the maintenance drugs from."
The FDA has stated it does not want to risk consumer safety by allowing foreign drug dispensers to prescribe incorrect medication dosages without any liability for those companies.
The Food and Drug Administration continues to express concerns for consumer safety when importing drugs.
In a random search of 1,153 imported drugs conducted by the FDA and the Bureau of Customs and Border Protection, 1,019 of those were considered illegal because they contained unapproved drugs. Only 15 percent of the drugs entering the United States were from Canada.
Ottenhoff said those numbers would not apply to Illinois' proposed plan, which would only supply Illinois consumers with FDA-approved drugs from pharmacies.
"I think what the report does is reiterate that a more controlled system with numerous safety checks and balances, like the one proposed here in Illinois, would help reduce the amount of unsafe drugs, not increase them," Ottenhoff said.
For Mike Patton, executive director for the Illinois Pharmacists Association, a concern is the number of jobs that may by lost by Blagojevich's plan.
"There is a huge demand for internet drug sales," Patton said. "The whole thing has developed around greed, pure and simple greed. In Canada, there is such a tremendous shortage. They will sell anything to anybody because they have nothing to lose. It's a cash business. It's more profitable than what I would refer to as 'street' drugs, and it's virtually impossible you'll get caught.
"More money for these pharmacists and not enough drugs for the people who need them here in Canada."
Canadian drug pharmacies, including the Coalition for Manitoba Pharmacy, have said Canada may face drug shortages if other states follow in the footsteps of Illinois.
Ottenhoff said the governor's task force asked Manitoba for evidence of drug shortages due to Internet sales, but Manitoba failed to provide any information.
Amber Ellis can be reached at: aellis@dailyegyptian.com
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