NEW YORK (AP) Pfizer Inc. is applying tougher restrictions onCanadian pharmacies to discourage them from selling low-costprescription drugs to American customers.
In a letter last week, Pfizer told Canadian pharmacies they willneed authorization to deal with wholesalers, and that they had topromise not to ship products south of the border.
The letter also said Pfizer would reserve the right to examinethe pharmacies' order histories for its products. As manypharmaceutical companies move to choke the supply of drugs toCanadian Internet pharmacies, the online firms are turning to brickand mortar stores to replenish their stock. That may stop withPfizer's latest steps.
"It will become more difficult and costly for us to get Pfizerproduct," said David MacKay, executive director of the CanadianInternational Pharmacy Association. "This is a dangerous precedent."
Pfizer officials couldn't be reached for comment.
Several drug companies, citing supply and safety concerns, havelimited shipments to Canadian to keep drugs from being sold toAmericans seeking cheaper medicines. Prescription drugs are up to 50percent less expensive in Canada because of government pricecontrols.
It is illegal for Americans to import drugs from Canada butregulators have largely turned a blind eye to individuals who filltheir prescriptions over the border. Two American cities haveprograms that allow workers to buy drugs from Canada and scores ofmayors and governors are considering following their lead.
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