Dispensary Corner

PRICES for some drugs in the USA are so high that authorities in the state of Utah are paying patients to travel to Mexico to purchase their medications.

The “pharmacy tourism” program has been created by health insurer PEHP which currently covers about 160,000 public sector employees and their family members.

Patients who need certain costly drugs to treat cancer, multiple sclerosis and autoimmune disorders are being offered plane tickets to San Diego, transport across the Mexican border to Tijuana plus $500 for expenses.

For example, Avonex for multiple sclerosis costs about US$6,700 for a 28-day supply within the USA, versus $2,200 through a “top-notch” clinic in Tijuana which has been contracted by the health insurer.

Other drugs covered by the program include Amypyra, Forteo, Humira, Orencia, Gilenya, Stelara, Tecfidera and Zytiga according to the Salt Lake Tribune. MILITARY drills in the Baltic Sea last week caused a significant supply chain issue, with troops on a R&R break in the Icelandic capital of Reykjavik reportedly drinking the city dry.

The American soldiers are participating in a massive exercise involving about 50,000 servicemen and women from all 29 NATO members.

Local news site Visir said local breweries received emergency calls from bars across the capital, seeking urgent restocking of the local brew Gull which proved particularly popular.