Dozey maybe?
figfarmer @ Sun Dec 12, 2004 9:43 pm
What's with this idiot Health Minister saying, "Canada is a small country and we don't want a billion dollars in prescription drug trade with the US."? Where does he think he is?
Rev_Blair @ Sun Dec 12, 2004 10:06 pm
If we try to supply the US market, it could affect the domestic availability of drugs, fig. There have been instances of shortages already, but it is not clear that those were caused solely by filling US prescriptions or that they were anything but temporary.
figfarmer @ Sun Dec 12, 2004 10:13 pm
stops at Burger King for breakfast and they're yelling about shortages. I imagine the production companies will be glad to meet any demands on the system
Rev_Blair @ Sun Dec 12, 2004 10:32 pm
A lot of the drugs are actually imported into Canada from the US, fig. We have price controls here so they are available for less than they are in the US and as a result the drug companies turn less of a profit. Naturally, they don't like that.
They have a lot of access to the Bush regime, being major campaign contributors, and that has an effect on all of this...including what Dosanje (sp?) says. Remember the Martin mantra of never pissing off George Bush.
Other drugs come from manufacturers in other countries. India is a major producer of pharmaceuticals for example. It isn't clear if they can keep up with the increased demand of the American market.
Some of the drugs we produce domestically are generics that are only available under their brand name in the US because of patent restrictions, and there is some question as to whether they can be marketed in the states, if they can be supplied to individual states, and whether internet pharmacies are a form of marketing in the US.
There is also the fact that we have doctors writing prescriptions without ever seeing the patient...something that will no doubt lead to abuse.
It's a huge and complicated issue and all we really know for sure is that it's going to cause problems that neither side wants to talk about or address in any meaningful way.
figfarmer @ Sun Dec 12, 2004 11:12 pm
Half the old folks in my home town are gowed most of the time. Let the Canadians make a profit for once. if the Yanks want to declare it illegal, let them. As I understand it, presently some states are actually using Canadian firms to supply their drug requirements.
Rev_Blair @ Mon Dec 13, 2004 6:28 am
I have nothing against turning a profit or supplying drugs to Americans or anybody else in need, fig. I do have a feeling that we shouldn't be rushing into this though. We need to ensure that the quest for short-term profits does not end up harming Canadians is all.
Like I said, it's a complicated issue. We need to have a much closer look at it, preferably without interference from the Bush regime.
Rik25158854 @ Mon Dec 13, 2004 6:31 am
Does anybody in canada like president bush?
Rev_Blair @ Mon Dec 13, 2004 6:33 am
Between 20% and 25% according to polls taken just before the US election, Rik.
Rik25158854 @ Mon Dec 13, 2004 6:36 am
We dont like him much over here either.whats it like where you are today?
Rev_Blair @ Mon Dec 13, 2004 6:45 am
I saw one of your journalists interview Bush. He seemed rather rattled when she insisted that he answer questions. 
I can't remember her name, but I gather she's pretty well known.
It's cold and ugly here today Rik. -33 with the wind. It'll be 0 tomorrow though.
Rik25158854 @ Mon Dec 13, 2004 6:51 am
the press over here are quite insistant over here. -33 thats a bit cold for me its around 9 over here but its sunny. not all bad.
Rev_Blair @ Mon Dec 13, 2004 7:14 am
-33 is a bit cold for anybody...don't let all our talk about how you get used to it fool you. It's livable if you dress for it though.
I've actually been impressed with the few snippets of Irish press that I've come across. It reminds me a lot of the press here in 70s...a lot more hardnosed than we have now.
Rik25158854 @ Mon Dec 13, 2004 7:20 am
The reporters over here are quite blunt and to the point.this is not always a good thing. ive lost 3 very good friends because of what the press have insinuated. How cold does it get over there in winter?
Rev_Blair @ Mon Dec 13, 2004 7:34 am
How cold it gets depends where you are. Here in Winnipeg we generally float between -20 and -5 or so in the winter, but it's not unusual to see -30 and we get -40 sometimes. The coldest I've ever seen it was -72 with the windchill. It was about -45 and the breeze made it even worse. It was not a happy day to be outside, but there we were trying to get my friend's car to start.
Rik25158854 @ Mon Dec 13, 2004 7:40 am
the coldest over here that i know of is about -9. thats pretty warm compared to where you are. but i wont complain.did you get the car to start?