June Canadian Pharmacy News

Issue # June 2005

• 221 House members push for vote on drug importation bill

Thanks to the strong action taken by you, our customers, there appears to be increased support in the U.S. for legalizing importation of prescription drugs from Canada.

• June 2005 Health Tips: Sun Protection

Sunburn is the skin's reaction to the ultraviolet radiation (UV) in sunlight. This month?s article includes information on sunburn symptoms, reactions to UVA and UVB radiation, self-help remedies, peeling skin, professional treatment, prevention and Medisave Products available to protect your skin.

• Your Comments
• Medisave Customer Feedback

As a thank you to you, our valued customers, Medisave wants to make your life simpler and better and is in the process of designing a referral program that does just that!

221 House members push for vote on drug importation bill

WASHINGTON - A majority of House members want to consider allowing Americans to import lower-cost prescription drugs from other countries despite fierce opposition from President Bush, the Food and Drug Administration and drugmakers.

The 221 Republicans and Democrats on Thursday sent a letter to House Speaker Dennis Hastert, asking him to schedule a vote on a drug importation bill.

"No longer are supporters of prescription drug re-importation a few lonely voices out in the wilderness," said Rep. Ginny Brown-Waite, R-Crystal River. "The whole nation can now hear our voices, and hear us loud and clear."

The House overwhelmingly passed a bill in 2003 to allow individuals and pharmacies to import drugs from Canada and other countries, but the Senate never acted.

In the months after the vote, dozens of states, counties and municipalities proposed or implemented their own drug importation programs in the absence of federal action.
Importation has been endorsed by consumer groups, pharmacies and advocacy organizations, but critics worry legislation could allow unsafe drugs into the United States.

Canada has long offered inexpensive brand-name drugs because its national health service negotiates deep discounts from manufacturers.

U.S. law prohibits importing drugs from sources that have not been inspected by the FDA, and the FDA says it lacks the money to expand its inspection program.

Four bills have been introduced in the House and Senate since January, and legislators say there is more momentum then ever before to pass something this year.

"This letter may provide the momentum needed to move this legislation through not only the House, but the Senate as well," said Sen. David Vitter, R-La, a bill sponsor. "It's time for action. America's seniors demand legislative action to lower their drug costs."

The bills generally would, for the first time, legalize individual consumers' importation of certain prescription drugs for personal use, and would include new requirements to promote the safety of domestic and imported drugs, such as mandatory counterfeit-proof packaging.

Hastert's office did not return calls for comment.

Senate Contact Information:
http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm

House of Representatives Contact Information:
http://www.house.gov/house/MemberWWW.shtml


Contacting the White House

E-Mail

President George W. Bush: president@whitehouse.gov
Vice President Richard Cheney: vice.president@whitehouse.gov

Pharmaceutical Companies Contact Phone Number:

GlaxoSmithKline 1-888-825-5249
Merck & Co. 1-908-423-1000
Pfizer 1-212-733-2373
Aventis 1-800-981-2491
AstraZenica 1-302-886-3000
Wyeth 1-610-902-1200
Eli Lilly 1-317-276-2000

Sun Protection

Almost all of us will get sunburnt at least once in our lives. Sunburn can occur in less than 15 minutes and can take a few days or weeks to heal depending on the severity. Mild sunburn can be treated at home, but severe and blistered burns need prompt medical attention. The long term effects of repeated bouts of sunburn include premature wrinkling and increased risk of skin cancer. Once the skin damage occurs, it is impossible to reverse. This is why prevention is much better than cure. Remember to 'slip-slop-slap' whenever you go out in the sun - slip on a shirt, slop on sunscreen and slap on a hat. Wear sunglasses too, since UV radiation can also hurt your eyes. There is no cure for sunburn except time and patience.

Sunburn Symptoms

The symptoms of sunburn include:

• Change in skin color, ranging from pink to red and even purple
• Skin feels hot to the touch
• Pain
• Swelling
• Fluid-filled blisters that may itch and eventually pop or break
• Broken blisters peel to reveal even more tender skin beneath.

Reactions to UVA and UVB radiation

In addition to light and heat, the sun emits invisible ultraviolet radiation. Excessive exposure to UV damages the skin permanently and may cause skin cancer, including the dangerous malignant melanoma. The three types of ultraviolet (UV) radiation, based on their wavelength, are UVA, UVB and UVC. The earth's atmosphere absorbs nearly all of the most dangerous one - UVC - before it reaches the ground. UVA and UVB radiation are both involved in sunburn, but skin reacts differently to each one:

• UVA - penetrates into the deeper skin layers and damages the site where new skin cells are born. Wrinkles, age spots and sagging skin are the results of long term exposure to UVA radiation.
• UVB - affects the surface skin layer. The skin responds by releasing chemicals that dilate blood vessels. This causes fluid leakage and inflammation - better known as sunburn.

Self-help remedies

There is no cure for sunburn except time and patience. Treatment aims to help manage the symptoms while the body heals. Suggestions include:

• Drink plenty of water, because you're probably dehydrated as well as sunburnt.
• Gently apply cool or cold compresses. Alternatively, bathe the area in cool water.
• Avoid using soap, as this may irritate your skin.
• Don't apply butter to sunburnt skin.
• A range of products, specifically aloe-based lotions, are available that help to soothe sunburn. There are many commercially available types on the market.
• If using commercially prepared sunburn products, it might be wise to choose spray-on solutions rather than creams you have to apply by hand.
• Calamine lotion (or equivalent) may be helpful if the sunburnt area is particularly itchy.
• Don't pop blisters.
• Consider covering the itchy blisters with a wound dressing to reduce the risk of infection.
• Pain permitting, moisturize the skin. This won't stop the burnt skin from peeling off, but it will help boost the moisture content of the skin beneath.
• Take over-the-counter painkillers, if necessary.
• Keep out of the sun until every last sign of sunburn has gone.

Peeling skin

There’s no cream or lotion that will stop burnt skin from peeling off. This is part of the natural healing process. Suggestions include:

• Resist the temptation and don't pick at the skin. Allow the dead skin sheets to detach on their own.
• Remove detached skin carefully and slowly. Don't rip skin sheets off or you risk removing more skin than you intended.
• Apply antiseptic cream to the newly revealed skin to reduce the risk of infection.
• Consider covering up with clothing to stop other people from picking at your peeling skin.

Professional treatment

You should see your doctor or seek treatment from your nearest hospital emergency department if you experience symptoms including:

• Severe sunburn with extensive blistering and pain
• Sunburn over a large area
• Headache
• Nausea and vomiting
• Fever
• Dizziness or altered states of consciousness.

Prevention is best

It is important to cover up with clothing, apply SPF 30+ sunscreen to unprotected skin, wear a hat and sunglasses, and keep out of the sun during the middle of the day. Further suggestions on how to avoid getting sunburnt include:

• Don't assume that sunshine is 'safe' when it doesn't sting your skin - that sting or 'bite' you can feel is infrared radiation, not UV radiation.
• UV radiation levels aren't linked to temperature, so don't just 'slip-slop-slap' on hot days. Sunburn is more likely on milder days when the temperature ranges from 65° to 80° Fahrenheit.
• You're more likely to get sunburnt when you're relaxing and taking it easy, such as watching outdoor sports or picnicking at the park. Don't forget to 'slip-slop-slap'.
• Don't be fooled into thinking that solariums are a safer way to tan - you can get sunburnt in a solarium too.
• What many people assume is windburn is actually sunburn. Winter activities such as snow skiing pose a high risk of sunburn because UV radiation is more severe in alpine regions than at sea level. Snow is also every efficient at reflecting UV radiation.

Medisave Products

Ombrelle and Anthelios are two exceptional product lines offered by Medisave to help protect you this summer against UV damage.

Your Comments

“Your crew deserves a BIG A+ for customer service. It has been a pleasure doing business with you and I will help hammer on Mr. Bush about import drugs. You have my total support. Thank you.”
V.M.

“I cannot believe my good fortune in finding MediSave! I have been using another Canadian pharmacy but decided to try you. First, I received a phone call to verify my information and then the medication arrived exactly 10 days after I faxed the prescription! That is definitely a record. Thanks so much for your efficiency.”
P.F.

“I received my prescription today and I thank you for your prompt reply. Your service is excellent and I am very pleased. You can be assured that I will recommend you to my friends. I look forward to a long association with you. Thank you again.”
V.B.

MediSave Customer Feedback

As a thank you to you, our valued customers, Medisave wants to make your life simpler and better and is in the process of designing a referral program that does just that! Rather than offering you something you don’t want, we wanted to inquire what would be of most value to you. A credit towards your next purchase

a) A credit towards your next purchase
b) Free accessories to simplify your medication process (i.e. pill containers, crushers, cutters, etc.)
c) A points program earning you points toward future discounts
d) Free shipping on your next order
e) Other

Please click here to pass on your feedback about which option is best for you.

As always, we love to hear your comments on this issue of the newsletter and if you have any additional feedback or suggestions for upcoming MediSave.ca newsletters please let us know via e-mail at:

CustomerService@MediSave.ca

MediSave.ca
1364 Cliveden Ave
Delta, British Columbia
Canada V3M 6K2
Toll Free Tel: 1.877.888.DRUG (1.877.888.3784)
Toll Free Fax: 1.866.364.9987

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