30 June, 2005 16:03 GMT
Canada's Health Minister says he is willing to consult with the pharmaceutical industry as a new law is being drafted. 'My intention is not to kill the industry,' he said.
The Canadian government is drafting legislation to regulate drug exports to the United States, and curb them if necessary to prevent domestic shortages.
Canada cannot be the drugstore of the United States of America, Health Minister Ujjal Dosanjh told reporters Wednesday.
He said new regulations were needed because he expects the US Congress to pass legislation that would allow large imports of prescription drugs, most of them sold online.
$800 Million a Year
Online drug sales from Canada to the United States have reached more than $800 million a year, about triple the total five years ago, the New York Times said.
Dosanjh said he was willing to consult with the industry that employs 5,000 people as the law was being drafted.
My intention is not to kill the industry, he said.
It's unlikely any changes will be enacted before a national election, which is expected early next year, the report said.
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