ROSWELL - Georgians faced with the high costs of prescription medication now have access to cheaper Canadian drugs. <br>
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Three companies that connect American consumers with Canadian pharmacists have opened shops in the Atlanta area. Two more are planning to expand across Georgia. <br>
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Companies such as Medications Cheaper in Dunwoody and Canadian Discount Drugs in Peachtree City do business by telephone and mail but hope to set up walk-in outlets. <br>
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Customers fill out medical profiles, sign liability release forms and bring in prescriptions from their physicians. <br>
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The company orders the drugs online from a Canadian pharmacy, where physicians rewrite the prescriptions to meet Canadian laws. Then the pharmacy mails the order to customers. <br>
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Some seniors say prices for the Canadian medications can be almost half of what is charged in the United States. <br>
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The practice is technically illegal. But federal authorities say they are not concerned with arresting senior citizens for the practice and do not have the resources to monitor such import activity. <br>
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The Georgia Board of Pharmacy can't regulate the Georgia retailers because the companies do not operate as pharmacies.
