The governors of Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine have sent a joint letter to Premier Lucien Bouchard urging him to grant the New England states access to cheaper prescription drugs sold in Quebec. Under their proposal, drug wholesalers in the border states would be allowed to import medications from Quebec for sale to New England pharmacies. Individuals would also have the right to buy pills through the mail from Quebec pharmacies. The governors have also asked the attorneys-general in their states to determine whether such an arrangement would be permitted under the North American Free Trade Agreement. We note that we have a good relationship, and that's an example of that good relationship.
Prescription drugs can cost twice as much in the U.S. as in Canada.
Unlike Canada, the U.S. lacks comprehensive public health insurance, including coverage for drugs. Rather than negotiate with state governments over a drug's selling price, U.S. pharmaceutical firms can choose to sell drugs at much higher prices. It's not uncommon for Americans to travel to Quebec by the busload to buy medications here. But it's a cumbersome process. Americans must visit a Canadian doctor to rewrite their U.S. prescription before going to the pharmacy.