Don't buy Meds in Canada
(July 14, 2007)
(July 14, 2007)
Lou says....
We thought we had done all our research. We read available information, checked the Internet and thought we knew what to expect. The information we gathered said to bring original prescriptions from your doctor. We assumed all we had do do was present the prescription at a pharmacy. Before we left the U.S. we had our prescriptions transferred to Walmart because Canada has Walmart stores.
Little did we know we were in for a big surprise! When we went to Walmart to get our prescriptions refilled we found they were not able to access prescriptions from the U.S. No problem we thought, we have written prescriptions so we presented them to the pharmacist. He said he could not accept prescriptions from U.S. doctors. He could only fill prescriptions from Canadian doctors and that we would have to be examined by a Canadian doctor. He suggested we go to the local urgent care facility.
At the urgent care facility we were told it would cost $380.00 for doctor visit! They suggested we go to a walk-in medical clinic where the cost would be much less. The nearest clinic was in Calgary. Ugh! We didn't want to go near Calgary because it was Stampede week but we didn't have much choice if we wanted the prescriptions.
At the walk-in medical clinic the examination cost is $125.00, Canadian cash, no checks,no U.S. cash and no credit cards accepted. Ugh again! We don't carry a lot of cash because we always use our credit card. This is the first time our credit card or U.S. cash was refused in Canada!
It was on to the bank to get some U.S. cash converted. Back at the clinic an elderly doctor did my examination and in the coarse of conversation he expressed his displeasure with the U.S. for pressuring Canada into this system and making him legally responsible if I had problems from the prescriptions he prescribed.
I fully concur with his sentiments. The U.S. law makers claim they are protecting its citizens but in reality, in my humble opinion, that is only 1% of the reason. The other 99%, that they don't mention, is protecting big drug companies mega profits! I could go on and on and on about my displeasure on this subject......but enough said.
Still to be determined is how much if any our insurance will reimburse us for these expenses.
So if you travel in Canada be sure to bring an ample supply of medications with.
We thought we had done all our research. We read available information, checked the Internet and thought we knew what to expect. The information we gathered said to bring original prescriptions from your doctor. We assumed all we had do do was present the prescription at a pharmacy. Before we left the U.S. we had our prescriptions transferred to Walmart because Canada has Walmart stores.
Little did we know we were in for a big surprise! When we went to Walmart to get our prescriptions refilled we found they were not able to access prescriptions from the U.S. No problem we thought, we have written prescriptions so we presented them to the pharmacist. He said he could not accept prescriptions from U.S. doctors. He could only fill prescriptions from Canadian doctors and that we would have to be examined by a Canadian doctor. He suggested we go to the local urgent care facility.
At the urgent care facility we were told it would cost $380.00 for doctor visit! They suggested we go to a walk-in medical clinic where the cost would be much less. The nearest clinic was in Calgary. Ugh! We didn't want to go near Calgary because it was Stampede week but we didn't have much choice if we wanted the prescriptions.
At the walk-in medical clinic the examination cost is $125.00, Canadian cash, no checks,no U.S. cash and no credit cards accepted. Ugh again! We don't carry a lot of cash because we always use our credit card. This is the first time our credit card or U.S. cash was refused in Canada!
It was on to the bank to get some U.S. cash converted. Back at the clinic an elderly doctor did my examination and in the coarse of conversation he expressed his displeasure with the U.S. for pressuring Canada into this system and making him legally responsible if I had problems from the prescriptions he prescribed.
I fully concur with his sentiments. The U.S. law makers claim they are protecting its citizens but in reality, in my humble opinion, that is only 1% of the reason. The other 99%, that they don't mention, is protecting big drug companies mega profits! I could go on and on and on about my displeasure on this subject......but enough said.
Still to be determined is how much if any our insurance will reimburse us for these expenses.
So if you travel in Canada be sure to bring an ample supply of medications with.
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Issue #4
July 14th 2007
July 14th 2007
Page 1 of 3
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