CHICAGO, Oct. 14 (UPI) -- Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich has unveiled an online petition drive aimed at pressuring the Bush administration to allow Canadian prescription drug imports.
Blagojevich hopes to convince the Food and Drug Administration to change its policy prohibiting states and local governments from buying FDA-approved medications for a lower price from Canada.
Drugs from Canada cost as much as 50 percent less than in the United States, due to Canadian government price controls.
The Governor is asking consumers to fill out an online petition in support of drug importation at www.affordabledrugs.il.gov.
Said Blagojevich: "The FDA can ignore our letters. They can ignore our calls. But they can't ignore the people forever. And so today, I'm launching an electronic petition drive so that the people can be heard on this issue."
Earlier Tuesday, Massachusetts Attorney General Thomas Reilly also called on the FDA to allow the importation of Canadian prescription drugs.
In a telephone interview with the Boston Globe, Reilly said he doesn't believe warnings from McClellan and U.S. drug companies on dangers of counterfeit drugs from Canada.
