Several state healthcare programs currently import prescription drugs from Canada, including Illinois, Kansas, Missouri, Wisconsin and Vermont -- which operate a joint bulk import program called I-SaveRx.

"In light of potential American legislation legalizing the bulk import of Canadian prescription and other medications, our priority must be the health and safety of all Canadians and the strength of our health care system," Dosanjh stated. "We must be proactive in making sure that the supply of affordable prescription medications remains stable and sufficient to meet the needs of Canadians."

Tracking Canadian Exports

In the United States, there are presently three bills that would enable importing medicines from Canada and other countries that are all before Congressional finance and health committees.

Although details on how the Canada export ban will be implemented have yet to be determined, Dosanjh is hoping to begin by establishing a drug supply network that will definitively track the export practice.

In addition, Dosanjh intends to introduce legislation under Canada's Food and Drugs Act that will allow Canada to prohibit the bulk export of prescription and other drugs when it is necessary to protect the health of Canadians.

And Dosanjh has also proposed strengthening existing Canadian federal regulations that requires an established patient-practitioner relationship before prescriptions can be dispensed.

Presently, Canadian doctors tied to Internet pharmacies review the paper American prescriptions without seeing the patient.

Against US Federal Laws

Several state health care programs currently import prescription drugs from Canada, including Illinois, Kansas, Missouri, Wisconsin and Vermont -- which operate a joint bulk import program called I-SaveRx.

Other states are considering such actions or have pending legislation to enact similar programs.

If importation -- which already is against federal laws -- were to be reduced or stopped altogether, state programs and individual consumers would have to turn to domestic sources for prescriptions drugs, possibly increasing retail sales in the mass drug channel.