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Letter: Insulin, already too expensive in Canada, shouldn't be sold to Americans

The Editor, Effective this year, several American states have passed bills to allow their citizens and local governments to purchase medical supplies from Canada. President Donald Trump has authorized them to go ahead as medications are cheaper here.
pump
Susan Kidd started using an insulin pump 15 years ago and is on her third device. Photo: Dan Toulgoet

The Editor,

Effective this year, several American states have passed bills to allow their citizens and local governments to purchase medical supplies from Canada. President Donald Trump has authorized them to go ahead as medications are cheaper here. As an example, insulin, which doesn't require a prescription in Canada to purchase, is Cdn. $70; south of the border, it's U.S. $340 for 100 cc.

So far, in Quebec and London, Ont., there have been reports of buses full of Americans buying our medications in bulk. This can happen in B.C. as Colorado has passed a similar bill.

A federal election is coming in October. All politicians should be put on notice by their voters that we will not stand by and let outside countries or individuals drain our supply of medications.

Many Canadian citizens cannot afford to buy medications and devices they need to live, so why should we allow outsiders to purchase the medications here? All nations are responsible to their own citizens first. If we have a surplus, then help Canadians, not outsiders.

The federal government is there as a representative of the people and if we can't trust our elected officials, then they can be replaced.

I am Type 1 diabetic, like 1.3 million other Canadians, and pay $70 for 100 cc of insulin per month. One in three Canadians is diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes every day. Some of them go on to requiring insulin. A fair portion are seniors are retired and have limited income and no longer have extended medical insurance from their place of work.

We deserve and expect better from our elected officials.

Linda Zumm, Port Moody