FDA seizes drug orders from overseas

Mar 10 2005

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has seized prescription drug orders shipped from abroad to more than 50 customers of I-Save-R-x, a program launched last year by Governor Rod Blagojevich, to help residents save money on prescription drugs.

It uses a Canadian clearinghouse to connect consumers to pharmacies and wholesalers in Canada and Europe.

William Hubbard FDA associate commissioner denies that I-Save-R-x is being targeted. He says the agency has always seized high risk drugs and guidelines for which drugs should be stopped at airports were clarified at the beginning of the year.

G. Anthony Howard of Cana-R-x Services Incorporated, the clearinghouse for I-Save-R-x, is sceptical and questions the FDA's motives, he feels seniors are being targeted.