U.S. slams door on Canadian medicine

[DoYouEverWonder]

March 1, 2006

WASHINGTON - While the federal government struggles to implement a new prescription drug plan for seniors, it has begun cracking down on the importation of cheaper but illegal drugs from Canada.

U.S. Customs agents now are regularly seizing many of the prescription drug shipments to individuals that until recently were left alone.

Federal officials acknowledge the stepped-up enforcement but say it has nothing to do with the new Medicare drug program, known as Part D, which has been riddled with technical and management problems since it began Jan. 1. Enrollment in the voluntary program has been below government estimates.

But several members of Congress, Republicans and Democrats alike, are calling for an inquiry or at least an explanation after receiving a flurry of calls from angry residents whose drugs were seized en route from Canada.

http://www.sptimes.com/2006/03/01/Worldandnation/US_slams_door_on_Cana.shtml