Hands off our prescription drugs, President Trump

It’s time for Canadians to take a page from Donald Trump’s “America First” playbook.

When it comes to the U.S. president’s dangerous plan to raid this country’s medicinal drug supply, it’s time to shout “Canada First!” — and mean it. The ability of Canadians to access an affordable and plentiful supply of the medications they need must not be compromised. Period.

But last Wednesday, the Trump administration unilaterally announced it will set up a system that would allow Americans to legally import bulk quantities of prescription drugs from Canada at prices cheaper than what they currently pay in the U.S. It was vintage Trump — arrogant, ham-fisted and self-centred. Indeed, the Canadian government along with this country’s health community seemed blindsided by the move.

It’s outrageous that the American government would promise a new policy that could have detrimental consequences for the health and well-being of Canadians, without first seeking the co-operation and consent of the Canadian government.

And that brings us back to America First, which just as often means “What Donald Needs First.” With an eye on the 2020 American presidential election, Trump is eager to rally his supporters. And affordable medicine has become a major election issue.

Recent months have witnessed scores of Americans crossing into Canada to buy insulin for $30 a vial — a 10th of the cost in the U.S. Prices for other prescription drugs in the U.S. are usually far higher than what Canadians pay, too. That’s largely because the Canadian government helps set drug prices in this country, while south of the border Medicare is not allowed to negotiate with drug companies. Trump wants to fix the price difference by allowing bulk drug imports from Canada, a move that would burnish his populist credentials.

Obviously, Trump doesn’t care about angering — or hurting — Canadians. They need to know, however, what will happen to the availability and affordability of prescription drugs in Canada if a country with 10 times our population suddenly starts putting it fingers into our medicine cabinet.

Such worries are legitimate. There’s already been a report of a temporary and localized shortage of insulin at a Canadian pharmacy after Americans bought up supplies. No wonder more than a dozen organizations, including Diabetes Canada and the Best Medicines Coalition, have voiced fears that the huge American market with its hundreds of millions of consumers could seriously reduce stocks at Canadian drug stores.

These organizations want the Canadian government to confirm this won’t happen and that Ottawa will take the necessary action to protect our prescription drug supplies. So far, the federal Liberals have offered reassurances, but no clear action plan. When asked if Canada would consider legislation to block the bulk importation of Canadian prescription drugs into the U.S., Mathieu Filion, a spokesperson for federal Health Minister Ginette Petitipas Taylor offered a vague response.

“We will first need to see what their pilot projects are before we speculate on the next steps,” he said

The Liberals may not have the luxury of waiting. Some observers say Trump’s drug plan could move forward within the next three months, in lots of time for him to win friends and influence voters.

Kimberley Hanson, executive director of federal affairs at Diabetes Canada, says her group is seeking “decisive action” from the government.

Ottawa should be working overtime so it can comply — with new legislation to block Trump’s plan if necessary.

As for Trump, let him fix America, and its expensive, inefficient health-care system first, before he calls on Canada to solve his problems. We’re not a bargain-basement store.