Why are medications much more affordable in Canada compared to the USA?
342334
Because the Canadian government offers a "take it or leave it" price to the drug companies on each drug, based mostly on the average world price, and generally they accept it. But, it is not all perfect. There are some drugs available in the US that are not available in Canada, partly because of this policy.
505667
All the major drug companies in the US offer free or discounted medication for those who are uninsured and cannot afford their prescriptions. Visit www.needymeds.com for more information. It is a free service, and they're pretty good about keeping all the information up-to-date.\n\nAlso, be sure to ask your doctor for free samples, and explain to him that you cannot afford some of your prescriptions. My doctors usually give me a 1-3 month supply at a time.
684409
I happen to know MANY Canadians there Killabrew...and they happen to LOVE their Health Care. Sorry to rain on your assumption. Nobody dies waiting for a procedure. In Canada,there is an emphasis on Preventive Health Care. Unlike the good ol USA, where...if you can't afford it or have no insurance, it is likely a person will wait until his condition is dire, before he seeks care.\nWhat big business in this country should realize, is that the more healthy the consumer is....the more productive they are, the longer and more apt they are to continue being consumers. Healthy people live longer, are more productive....and BUY MORE!!!! \nWouldn't it behoove Corporate America to happily and graciously contribute to a National Health Care System??\nI like what mlptmiller (above) is saying. His comments about the Mass. plan and the Lasix example are right on the $$$. If we can get the Big corps to ALL chip in a little... maybe even offer up a little (another) tax credit for their generosity....EVERYONE in the country can be taken care of.
365983
because Canada has a quality of living that is roughly par with the US, but with socialistic programs designed to care for many of its citizens (but at much higher tax costs). \n\nFrankly, they don't need to come to the US to earn money or recieve better educations and healthcare as they already have it.
806244
I'm American, but I'd rather be Canadian. That is because Canada has better foriegn policies and there is free health care for all. Canadians do not have Bush and I hate the "American" stereotype. I'd love to move to another country.
804638
In USA things are a lot cheaper.
1022783
For the five drugs most frequently prescribed for seniors, the report found that the best price under the Medicare drug discount card is considerably higher than the best VA price:\n\nFor Plavix (75 mg.), a blood-clot reducing agent that is the most heavily prescribed medication for seniors, the best VA price is $887.16 per year, compared to the best Medicare drug discount price of $1,230.36—a difference of $343.20, or 38.7 percent.\nFor Lipitor (10 mg.), a cholesterol-lowering agent that is the second most heavily prescribed medication, the annual VA price is $498.84, compared to $730.56 under the Medicare discount cards—a difference of $231.72, or 46.5 percent.\nFor Fosamax (70 mg.), an osteoporosis drug that is the third most heavily prescribed medication for seniors, the annual VA price is $493.32, compared to $650.52 under the Medicare discount cards—a difference of $157.20, or 31.9 percent.\nFor Norvasc (5 mg.), a high-blood pressure treatment that is the fourth most heavily prescribed medication for seniors, the annual VA price is $301.68, compared to $467.042 under the Medicare discount cards—a difference of $165.36, or 54.8 percent.\nFor Protonix (40 mg.), a stomach acid blocking agent that is the fifth most heavily prescribed medication for seniors, the annual VA price is $253.32, compared to $827.40 under the Medicare discount cards—a difference of $574.08, or 226.6 percent.\nFor the two most expensive drugs prescribed to seniors under the discount card program in the top-50 list, the report found that the best price under the Medicare drug discount card is considerably higher than the best VA price:\n\nFor Aricept (10 mg.), an Alzheimer's treatment that is the most expensive of the top-50 drugs prescribed for seniors, the annual VA price is $1,056.84, compared to $1,453.92 under the Medicare discount cards—a difference of $397.08, or 37.6 percent.\nFor Pravachol (40 mg.), a cholesterol-lowering agent that is the second most expensive of the top-50 drugs, the annual VA price is $470.40, compared to $1,240.44 under the Medicare discount cards—a difference of  $770.04, or 163.7 percent.
694073
I believe the laws of the US state that a person cannot be denied basic medical care  no matter what their financial conditions are.   I know that a few years back, I got medical care that I didn't have to pay for when I got bit by a spider, even though the cost was considerably more than my provincial government was willing to pay and my daughter got free care that saved her life that wasn't yet available in Canada.
1166678
It depends on your health care coverage and the type of medicine your prescribed. With  health care providers you pay less if you go with the generic brand of medicine over brand name and most providers only cover generic unless your doctor specifically prescribes brand name for you. The amount you take per day and milligrams that you take is also a factor in pricing. So if you have NO insurance it's always better to go with generic as it is less expensive. Also if your doctor has samples in their office ask if you can get them as sometimes you get a presciption filled and you have a reaction and can't use the rest or that particular medication doesn't work for you and you have to be switched to something else
391492
Canada's health care system is run by the government, therefore less money.  You're better off staying in the States where it is privatized.
908614
Try looking into Medicare or Medicaid.  If that doesn't work, try ordering your meds illegally from Canada.  Good Luck!
651488
Unfortunately the prescription drug program would probably end up costing him more money than he pays now.  The ideal option would be for him to find a way to purchase drugs from Canada.  \n\nPlease urge him to seek medical attention, though.  If it is an emergency, it is illegal for doctors to refuse him care and he may need surgery to keep him alive.
432250
The main thing people will gripe about is that Canadian corporate tax is a few points higher than in the USA.  However, employers in the USA end up paying a lot of money out for health care, while in Canada the government covers most of that cost.  So it works out fairly evenly.
449181
It's because our standard of living is decreasing relative to other countries.  This is a result of a stupid government idea to save money which had to do with the rate of inflation (how quickly things increase in price).  The rate of inflation used to be based upon things like food, gasoline, electricity, clothing, and things like that - things necessary to survival.  In the late 90's, the government decided it needed to save money by not increasing people's pensions and pay scales because these things are "indexed" (fixed relative to) inflation.  So the government decided it would be a brilliant idea to not include the cost of gasoline, electricity, and fruit/vegatables in the rate of "core" inflation because they were "too volatile".\n\nAs a result of this, each year Canadian's expenses in necessary goods increases more than does their rate of pay, and so their standard of living decreases.  We will continue to decrease in ratings until something is done.\n\nFor more info on inflation, check out the link (includes what items are included in the calculations).
626418
well some pepole prefere to spend the extra dollars on the fancy labels , and packaging ,  but there are some  products out here that r name brand that  have yet  to have a generic formulated that is  equall to that product , i buy what evers cheaper ,  like my kids  they like  irish spring soap well sav on has  a form of the soap  thats  basially the same  thing  but cheaper  so i buy that more often than the  irish spring unless its on sale , as for  medications like  tylenol etc   the same  thing i  buy the cheaper one unless the name brand is  on sale  for t less than the geniric , the only thing i dont by generic is laundry soap , shampoo , and pin sol
61807
In the US you can get superior medical treatment by paying more, and you don't have to wait for it.\n\nCanada's healthcare system is overall better because it covers everyone at acceptable levels.
290415
Just do a web search on Canada drugstores.  Or Canadian drugs.  You get the idea.  There are a ton of them that come up.