Canadian Drugs - A Few Questions and Answers about the Differences between Canadian Drugs and Those Sold in the United States
Did you know that Canadian drugs are similar or better quality than those sold in the United States? The Canadian government strictly regulates the types of drugs allowed within their country. Just as in the United States, all drug manufacturers must present drugs to the government for approval before dispensing them. They must present evidence that the drugs are safe for human consumption and that they will provide the intended results. In fact, in Canada, the regulations can be stricter than those in the United States can. You can often find new drugs a year or two before they appear in Canada due to the stricter testing required in Canada.
Did you know that you can get generic drugs sooner in Canada than in the United States? Every country sets regulations on how long the drug manufacturer has exclusive rights to new drug formulations. Depending on the drugs, in Canada, generic drugs appear anywhere from one to two years prior to when they appear in the United States. This is due to the shorter time set by Canada for how long drug manufacturers hold exclusive rights. Generic formulations still go through strict testing as in the United States. However, Canadian drugs disappear faster on the open market.
Did you know that many of the same drugs sold in Canada are the same as those sold in the United States? Once manufacturers have received approval from the national government, as long as the formulas are the same, they can sell the same product on either side of the border. They often manufacture the drug at one location. Sometimes the only difference that you would see on the packaging is the differences in package details required by both countries. Inside, the drug is the exact same formula no matter where the manufacturer sells it. When you get beyond the package, many Canadian drugs are the exact same thing as the products you purchase the United States.
What is the biggest difference between Canadian drugs and those sold in the United States? The simple answer is price. You can pay anywhere from 30 to 80% less in Canada for the same exact thing as you would purchase in the United States. This is due to price regulations put in place by the Canadian government. The national as well as the provincial governments negotiate prices with drug manufacturers. Those prices pass on to consumers as lower prescription prices. The exact opposite is in place in the United States. That is why you pay less in Canada.