Universal Drugstore Vows to Continue Operations
If the Canadian government closes the door to U.S. citizens importing prescription medications from Canada one drugstore plans to keep open for trade. Universaldrugstore.com, one of Canada's largest mail-order pharmacies, is not threatened by recent dire promises by the Canadian Federal Government to possibility eliminate the cross border sale of prescription medications to uninsured and low income Americans. They plan to import drugs from Europe.
"Our current customers and our prospective new customers need not worry," says Jeffrey Uhl, President of Universal Drugstore. "We have been anticipating such a move by our government for some time now, and we were not surprised that action to stop prescription drug importation has progressed so quickly following President George W. Bush's visit with Prime Minister Paul Martin about six weeks ago."
Universal Drugstore has taken steps over the past year in preparation of challenges by the pharmaceutical industry and governments on both sides of the border. While many other Canadian pharmacies have been caught off guard by the speed at which the Canadian government is progressing, Universal Drugstore says that they are ready to flip the switch and move elsewhere.
"We have strengthened our network of international partner pharmacies, developed a steady stream of safe, reliable medicine, and taken steps to ensure quick and easy delivery to our customers," says Mr. Uhl. "Our Director of International Affairs has been working diligently to find the best resources for our customers. He is a pharmacist, as well as a former independent consultant and analytical writer on international pharmaceutical issues. His main focus is wholesale and retail distribution, generics and parallel trade. He oversees procurement, regulations and safety of our European operations." Uhl continues, "Standards of pharmacy in Europe mimic or exceed those in Canada, and we are confident of our continued long term success," he continues. "New pressure from the Canadian government has caused serious concern for our patients whose access to affordable medicine appears to be threatened. We want to assure our customers that we will be here for them. We have an ethical and moral obligation to all of our customers that rely on our services. Their medications will remain available through our service."
Mr. Uhl who is cautiously optimistic about what will happen to other mail order pharmacies and the effect these actions may have on the industry in Canada says, "Many have looked to us to create strategic alliances and European partnership arrangements. Unfortunately, we can't help all the other Canadian pharmacies. Our investments in technology, people and foreign pharmacy inspections have paid tremendous dividends for us and are the keys to our future. We have not been fiddling while Rome is burning."
Mr. Uhl finds the timing and motives behind the recent push for regulatory changes by the Canadian government suspicious. "Why, after four years of allowing this industry to flourish and prosper is it now questionable?" asks Mr. Uhl. "Is this just a ploy to stop Big Pharma's recent decrease in profits? Heaven forbid the most profitable industry in the world would take a miniscule hit to their massive bottom lines so that the uninsured and poor seniors of the U.S. could obtain affordable medications."
Universal Drugstore remains confident that they will stay in business and continue to provide Americans with affordably priced medications even in the face of regulatory pressures by the Canadian Federal government. They will continue to provide high quality medicines, obtained from licensed pharmacies in strictly regulated countries from around the world. "The countries we are looking into are extremely safe and well regulated. Also, they often have prices that are equal to or better than in Canada," states Randall Stephanchew. "Our customers will be delighted with the quality and pricing of medications from our international pharmacy partners." Mr. Stephanchew, Director of Pharmacy and Professional Services for Universal Drugstore, has over 14 years experience as a Health Canada official, specializing in compliance and enforcement, and was instrumental in signing the Mutual Recognition Agreement between Canada and the EU.
"Our current customers and our prospective new customers need not worry," says Jeffrey Uhl, President of Universal Drugstore. "We have been anticipating such a move by our government for some time now, and we were not surprised that action to stop prescription drug importation has progressed so quickly following President George W. Bush's visit with Prime Minister Paul Martin about six weeks ago."
Universal Drugstore has taken steps over the past year in preparation of challenges by the pharmaceutical industry and governments on both sides of the border. While many other Canadian pharmacies have been caught off guard by the speed at which the Canadian government is progressing, Universal Drugstore says that they are ready to flip the switch and move elsewhere.
"We have strengthened our network of international partner pharmacies, developed a steady stream of safe, reliable medicine, and taken steps to ensure quick and easy delivery to our customers," says Mr. Uhl. "Our Director of International Affairs has been working diligently to find the best resources for our customers. He is a pharmacist, as well as a former independent consultant and analytical writer on international pharmaceutical issues. His main focus is wholesale and retail distribution, generics and parallel trade. He oversees procurement, regulations and safety of our European operations." Uhl continues, "Standards of pharmacy in Europe mimic or exceed those in Canada, and we are confident of our continued long term success," he continues. "New pressure from the Canadian government has caused serious concern for our patients whose access to affordable medicine appears to be threatened. We want to assure our customers that we will be here for them. We have an ethical and moral obligation to all of our customers that rely on our services. Their medications will remain available through our service."
Mr. Uhl who is cautiously optimistic about what will happen to other mail order pharmacies and the effect these actions may have on the industry in Canada says, "Many have looked to us to create strategic alliances and European partnership arrangements. Unfortunately, we can't help all the other Canadian pharmacies. Our investments in technology, people and foreign pharmacy inspections have paid tremendous dividends for us and are the keys to our future. We have not been fiddling while Rome is burning."
Mr. Uhl finds the timing and motives behind the recent push for regulatory changes by the Canadian government suspicious. "Why, after four years of allowing this industry to flourish and prosper is it now questionable?" asks Mr. Uhl. "Is this just a ploy to stop Big Pharma's recent decrease in profits? Heaven forbid the most profitable industry in the world would take a miniscule hit to their massive bottom lines so that the uninsured and poor seniors of the U.S. could obtain affordable medications."
Universal Drugstore remains confident that they will stay in business and continue to provide Americans with affordably priced medications even in the face of regulatory pressures by the Canadian Federal government. They will continue to provide high quality medicines, obtained from licensed pharmacies in strictly regulated countries from around the world. "The countries we are looking into are extremely safe and well regulated. Also, they often have prices that are equal to or better than in Canada," states Randall Stephanchew. "Our customers will be delighted with the quality and pricing of medications from our international pharmacy partners." Mr. Stephanchew, Director of Pharmacy and Professional Services for Universal Drugstore, has over 14 years experience as a Health Canada official, specializing in compliance and enforcement, and was instrumental in signing the Mutual Recognition Agreement between Canada and the EU.
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