February 2004 CanDrug.com Newsletter
Happy Valentines Day

Issue #6, February, 2004

• CanDrug Wishes You a Happy and Healthy Valentines Day
• CanDrug Holiday Hours - Open Feb 16th Presidents Day
• More Saber Rattling from the FDA Yielding Even Less Credibility
• Getting Fit at Home
• New Memantine Price Available at Candrug
• New Prescription Meds Available at Candrug
  • Avodart
  • Uroxatral
• Candrug Customer Feedback

CanDrug Wishes You a Happy and Healthy Valentines Day

The Candrug Health Solutions staff would like to thank you for your loyalty and wish you a happy and healthy Valentines Day.

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CanDrug Business Holiday Hours - Open Feb 16th Presidents Day

Candrug Pharmacy will be open:
Presidents Day - February 16th
9:00am?5:00pm pst (12:00 noon? 8:00PM est)

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More Saber Rattling from the FDA Yielding Even Less Credibility

By Chelle Davidson
Candrug USA

In a bold statement, standing directly in the face of the FDA, the state of New Hampshire has said it will now start purchasing prescription drugs from Canada for Medicaid patients and prison inmates. The state figures it will save about $1.5 million dollars. They're not alone. Boston's Mayor, Thomas Menino said they will begin purchasing prescriptions for their city employees as early as next summer, as well.

According to the FDA's continued warnings, It's illegal,except for personal use, to purchase prescriptions from Canada or anywhere other than the U.S. Yet, its not just those renegade 1 million American customers that are going to Canada (or Mexico) anymore. Washington State is looking at buying their drugs from Canada. In fact, Washington state lawmakers have introduced a bill that would permit certain state agencies to purchase prescription drugs from Canada for distribution through state health-care programs. Illinois governor Rod Blagojevich has asked for a waiver to permit drug importation for state workers and retirees. And two cities-Montgomery, AL and Springfield, MA-are operating drug import programs.

The FDA has threatened the city of Montgomery with legal action and sent a warning letter to the Canadian company that provides drugs to Springfield.

Beyond sending stern letters to cities and states and threatening lawsuits, what exactly can the FDA do? Put them in jail? And how exactly can the FDA justify its attack on these "small potatoes" when it can't even touch the biggest U.S. customer for Canadian drugs-the U.S. government.

That's right. The Department of Defense and the Veterans' Administration are just two government agencies allowed a special waiver to purchase drugs from Canada or any other country. Governor Blagojevich asked for a special waiver, too. The FDA said no.

Now that we know the U.S. government is the biggest purchaser of foreign drugs, how, then, does one take seriously, statements from the FDA like "As long as the distributor is outside of U.S. government control, it cannot be trusted."

Pfizer-the worlds largest drug maker-in its boldest move yet has threatened to cut off all supplies of its products to any pharmacy that helps cross-border trade. The reason? "commitment to safeguarding the integrity of the pharmaceutical supply system and protecting the supply of Pfizer medicines for Canadians." This statement, of course, begs the question, how does targeting licensed pharmacies reduce counterfeiting? Won't getting rid of a safe supply of drugs send people to counterfeiters?

Do you really know where your drugs are made? Now, here's the real rub. The U.S. FDA forbids the import of prescription drugs by anyone other than the original U.S. manufacturer, and even then only when the drugs meet all the approval requirements of the U.S. FDA. Why? Because the FDA is looking out for consumer safety. However, more and more prescription drugs bought by Americans are made in foreign countries with minimal FDA oversight and then shipped to the U.S., according to TIME magazine in a February 2, 2004 cover story. In 2002, drug imports to the U.S. Totaled $40.7 billion. In 1995, it was $8.7 billion. Seventeen of the 20 largest drug companies worldwide make their drugs in Ireland, Sweden, France, Japan and other countries. Merck, an American drug giant, is looking seriously at southeast Asia to be the next manufacturer of its drugs.

The FDA states that all these foreign facilities are safe. They have undergone inspections and their manufacturing processes have been certified. But after the initial inspection, the oversight dies off. Yet, the FDA remains steadfast in its desire to discredit its counterpart agency in Canada-Canada Health-and provoke fear among American consumers who buy their drugs there.

Dave McKay, chief executive of the Canadian International Pharmacy Association (CIPA) says "I feel I have to throw a glass of water into everyone's face in the United States and say wake up! If you don't see we're getting our butts kicked here by the drug companies, we will not be available for you tomorrow. And then where will you be?"

The fight isn't over yet. But there has never been a more crucial time to stand up and be heard. If American consumers continue to let the drug companies walk all over them, where will we be? We won't be taking our medication, that's for sure.

Source: Crackdown in Canada Drug Industry Giant Plays Hardball to Halt Sales to U.S. Buyers By Patricia Barry February 2004 AARP Bulletin Online - http://www.aarp.org/bulletin/prescription/Articles/a2004-02-03-crackdown.html
Source: TIME Magazine - Why We Pay So Much For Drugs 01/25/2004 By Donald L. Barlett And James B. Steele

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Getting Fit at Home

Source: CBS News NEW YORK, Jan. 20, 2004 - BEFORE STARTING ANY EXERCISE PROGRAM CONSULT YOUR PHYSICIAN

(CBS) Calling all couch potatoes! Have you been meaning to start exercising for the New Year, but have yet to make it to the gym? Maybe you are one of many who fell off the fitness wagon during the holidays, and now can't get back on.

Whatever the reason, don't despair because you don't have to leave the comforts of your own home to get into an exercise routine, says fitness expert Kevin Makely.

All you need are hand weights for strength training and resist-a-bands for resistance training. For cardiovascular exercise, he suggests taking to the streets with a strong walking routine.

Getting started is the easy part; sticking to it is something entirely different. Begin slowly and work your way up with both cardio and weight training, Makely says, there's no need to try to bench 200 lbs., if you haven't worked out since 1980.

He demonstrates the following introductory-level fitness routine on The Early Show.

Strength Training: A simple weight training routine will actually help you build nice ,lean muscle mass, increase the amount of calories you burn during your routine and also increase your metabolism so that you burn more calories at rest throughout the day.

Fitness Tools: Hand Weights
Technique: Basic weight training technique for the beginner
Lateral raise: This exercise will strengthen and shape your shoulders and upper arms.

Keep your neck and the muscles right around the back of your neck (trapezoids) relaxed. The focus should be on the muscles covering the curve of your shoulder (middle deltoids). Lean forward slightly from your hips to make the middle part of the muscle parallel to the ground for proper isolation. One set of eight to 12 repetitions, working the muscle to the point of fatigue, is usually sufficient. Breathe normally throughout the exercise. Lower the resistance with a slow, controlled cadence throughout the full range of motion. Lifting the weight to a count of two and lowering to a count of three or four is effective.

When you are able to perform 12 repetitions of an exercise correctly (without cheating), increase the amount of resistance by five to 10 percent to continue safe progress.

Weighted lunge: For lower body activity while performing weight training incorporate a simple lunge. This is great for the glutes and quads. Keeping your front knee directly over your ankle at all times, lower your back knee almost to the ground. Push back up, keeping your back straight and your front heel on the ground. Switch sides. Remember never to extend your knee past your front foot as you move down.

Resistance Training

Tools: Resist-a-bands Technique: Front Raise

In split or regular stance, stand on the left side of the resistance band while holding the right handle in right hand. Starting position is arm straight down in front of thigh, palm facing the thigh and elbow slightly bent. Slowly raise arm straight up until it is level with the shoulder, palm facing the ground (wrist straight). Slowly lower back to starting position. Repeat for 12-16 reps and then switch arms for 1-3 sets. To change the resistance, stand on the band either closer to the handle (easier) or towards the middle of the band (harder).

TIP: Remember to concentrate on posture, keeping your back straight, shoulders back and abs tight. If you aren't working out at the gym with a personal trainer who routinely corrects your posture, remember that positioning your body correctly for every exercise is key. Keep this mantra in mind before starting every exercise.

Cross-Body Bicep curls: Using a resistance band, try Bicep and Cross-Body Bicep curls. While standing on the band, curl the left handle up with your right hand across your body. Exchange between the right and left for beginners, start with one set of 16 repetitions of each exercise. Once again, posture is also very important here - back straight, abs tight and shoulders back.

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New!! More Affordable Price for Memantine

New Price Memantine : Namenda (Memantine HCl) - available from our partner pharmacy in the US
Information : Memantine is a substance developed by the Merz research organization and is successfully used to treat dementia.

Avodart - Prostate Medication - Glaxo SmithKline

Avodart Prostate Medication (Dutaseride) is an alpha blocker used to treat symptoms of benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH). IT MAY TAKE 1 WEEK for AVODART to work. Do not stop using AVODART without checking with your doctor.

The prostate is one of the main components of the male reproductive system and plays a vital role in the development of the male sex organs. In adult men, its main function is to add important fluids to the semen supplying nourishment to the sperm during ejaculation. This protects the semen against naturally occurring acids located within the vagina. In many men, the prostate begins to grow when they are in their 50s and usually continues to grow throughout the rest of their lives. As the prostate grows, it puts pressure on the urethra. As pressure builds, it may lead to bothersome urinary symptoms and future complications. This condition is known as enlarged prostate, or benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), and is a noncancerous enlargement of the prostate.

Although enlarged prostate is not life threatening, it does require long-term management by both you and your doctor. There are several treatment options available to men with enlarged prostate (BPH).
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Uroxatral - Prostate Medication - Sanofi-Synthelabo

Uroxatral Prostate Medication (alfuzosin HCl extended-release tablets) is indicated for the treatment of the signs and symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia. Uroxatral is not indicated for the treatment of hypertension. Uroxatral is called Xatral in Canada and comes as a 10mg controlled release tablet.

The prostate is one of the main components of the male reproductive system and plays a vital role in the development of the male sex organs. In adult men, its main function is to add important fluids to the semen supplying nourishment to the sperm during ejaculation. This protects the semen against naturally occurring acids located within the vagina. In many men, the prostate begins to grow when they are in their 50s and usually continues to grow throughout the rest of their lives. As the prostate grows, it puts pressure on the urethra. As pressure builds, it may lead to bothersome urinary symptoms and future complications. This condition is known as enlarged prostate, or benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), and is a noncancerous enlargement of the prostate.

Although enlarged prostate is not life threatening, it does require long-term management by both you and your doctor. There are several treatment options available to men with enlarged prostate (BPH). Uroxatral is a new drug to this class.

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