”We’re very involved as a result of we do not need … our personal provides (of diabetes medication to) be put in jeopardy,” mentioned Paul Brunet.
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With Quebec already dealing with sporadic shortages of some prescriptions medication, together with for the therapy of diabetes, a patient-rights group is demanding that federal Well being Minister Mark Holland block the export of medicines to Florida and different U.S. states.
The Conseil pour la safety des malades, which is marking its fiftieth anniversary this 12 months, argues {that a} latest determination by the U.S. Meals and Drug Administration (FDA) permitting Florida to buy medication wholesale in bulk north of the border “might have critical impacts on sufferers in Quebec and the remainder of Canada, on condition that the American market is far larger.”
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“We’re very involved as a result of we don’t need the state of Florida to begin importing medicines in order that our personal provides be put in jeopardy,” mentioned Paul Brunet, government director of the non-profit group. “We would need that the minister of well being block pharmaceutical firms in Canada from accepting to export the medication to the States.”
In a reversal of earlier coverage, the FDA earlier this month notified Florida that it might import medication from Canada for the subsequent two years, predicting that it will “considerably scale back the price of coated merchandise to the American client with out posing extra threat to the general public’s well being and security.”
The FDA shifted its coverage after Florida sought a courtroom injunction to compel the U.S. authorities to green-light the import of Canadian medicines for HIV/AIDS, diabetes, hepatitis C and psychological sickness, estimating that this is able to save the Sunshine State $150 million a 12 months.
In December, Diabetes Canada expressed concern about “intermittent shortages of Ozempic, Mounjaro and Trulicity — even earlier than the change in FDA coverage. Such shortages have adversely and disproportionately affected these residing with diabetes in First Nations communities.
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“Over the past 12 months, Diabetes Canada has been monitoring the elevated demand for Ozempic and have been knowledgeable instantly by Well being Canada and the producer, Novo Nordisk Canada Inc., of intermittent shortages of the Ozempic 1-milligram pen from late August to October 2023. Sadly, the intermittent shortages have been prolonged to March 2024 and at the moment are additionally impacting 0.25/0.5 milligram pens. ”
Eli Lilly Canada Inc, which markets Mounjaro (Tirzepatide) and Trulicity (Dulaglutide), has additionally knowledgeable Well being Canada that it expects shortages of each medication in Canada all through early 2024.
Related shortages of diabetes medication have plagued Indigenous communities within the U.S., and the FDA’s revised coverage now empowers “tribes” to import such medicines from Canada.
On Jan. 12, the federal well being minister conveyed in a telephone name to U.S. Secretary of Well being and Human Companies, Xavier Becerra, of “Canada’s dedication to defending (the) home drug provide. The minister acquired assurances that the U.S. authorities has no intention of making challenges for Canada to entry medication or to set off drug shortages.”
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“I wish to guarantee Canadians that they are going to proceed to have entry to medicines they want once they want them,” Holland mentioned in an announcement that didn’t tackle the truth that Canada already faces routine shortages of a variety of medicines, together with generally for most cancers.
“Canadians could be assured that our authorities will proceed to take all crucial measures to guard the drug provide in Canada,” Holland added.
Holland additionally reiterated his considerations to U.S. Ambassador David Cohen, saying “Canada would take motion to safeguard the drug provide for Canadians.”
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