Dr Michelmore: Prescription Drug Concerns
Today [June 29] Shadow Health Minister Dr Kathy Michelmore spoke about concerns surrounding the recent change which will allow prescription drugs to be imported from Brazil, India and Israel.
Following a change in the Pharmacy and Poisons Act earlier this month, prescription drugs from those three countries will be permitted to be imported into Bermuda
At the time, Health Minister Zane Desilva said, “Today I am pleased to announce that Brazil, India and Israel will be added to the list of countries from which prescription drugs can be imported into Bermuda. The Ministry of Health believes these three additions will expand local options available to hospitals, pharmacies and local importers to ensure a wider range of therapeutic agents and wholesalers.”
Dr Michelmore – a physician – said, “The pharmaceutical community has had some concerns that standards and controls from these countries cannot be guaranteed. While we support the need to expand accessibility to generic costs, as that’s an important way to control costs in a health care system, its also incredibly important to ensure the generic drugs that we import are definitely genuine and are not counterfeit.”
She went on to say that, “The pharmaceutical community has expressed their concern as there was a lack of consultation with them on this.” She went on to talk about recommended amendments, watch below:
What is she talking about? Here’s what Minister Desilva said: “Changes to the Act will include requiring all importers of Schedule 3 drugs to be registered with the Department of Health. Also, prescription drug importation will become dependent on if the specific manufacturing plant meets best practice standards and its products are approved by the drug regulatory authority of the US, Canada or a European Union member state.”
Concerns about ‘standards’ were addressed. When the Government tries to clear the path to reduce health care costs and set up a framework where quality, generic drugs (from one of the largest manufacturers in the world, Teva in Israel) who stands in the way? The OBA.
Nooooo..what she’s saying is that the changes need amendments to ensure quality. I know you probably just cannot abide any sort of criticism of the PLP. It’s typical PLP “let’s not think it through” legislation without adequate consultation with experts on the subject matter. I wonder if Dr. Brown was in India on our dime setting up a deal to import from a generic drug producer?
Do you know anything about generic drugs? You should read up before being auto-defensive about a real concern and sensible comment.
So long as the PLP are in power, Dr. Brown and Col. Burch lay in the wings waiting for a Come-Back.
Hubert ,first of all do not trust insane desilva, he is all about himself…and his buddy who is now living the good life….stay healthy.
She just talking talk sake. she will be moving to Austrailia I read in another blog. Poor statements from a doctor.
Thank you Hubert.
yet again we have the OBA totally misrepresenting things for political benefit. Sen Michelmore knows full well that there will be regulations in place. Why would the government risk the lives of ALL of the people by bringing in low quality pharmaceuticals. Same ole UBP/BDA/OBA…criticizing for criticism sake.
You lack basic comprehension skills and the ability to perform simple internet searches. There’s this “thing” called “Google” you know…
Same ole PLP….defensive with no thought…..
^^Fail..When you cant prove them wrong just critique their knowledge.
No different you tired practice of tunring anything that you can’t prove into a racial thing now is it?
Man you have got to be one of the biggest hypocrites on this site and you can’t even see it…
Short-term memory perhaps?
*No different then your tired practice of turning anything that you can’t prove into a racial thing now is it?
I was merely referring to was a knee-jerk politiking of a quite reasonable response from the medical/pharma profession.
Their ability to read/listen and to then comprehend what was said is suspect.
Thank you Dr. Michelmore….lets keep Bermuda free and clean from Illegal and illicit and counterfeit drugs…..!!!!!!! your Vigilance will go a long way for a healthy illicit drug free community ! Our youth will benefit ..our foolish adults will benefit from it and foreign and local profiteers will hopefully thwarted from their corrupt trade…!The Po…Po….and the crime busters will have another finger on the hand of the long arm of the law.!Right Minded Bermudians will support your noble efforts..one more hand for helping pull up the weeds in this Beautiful Garden of Bermuda..!I hope many many more Bermudian Youth qualify as you did in your field of endeavor.More qualified Bermyites on board in this war on crime and Illicit drugs and bugs.A better Bermuda folks…..that’s where we’re heading..Proud to be a Bermudian….congratulations….!
What is this woman on about. From what i read on here last week, this only expands the countries that generics can be imported from. A pharmacist isn’t going to start buying generics off the internet, c’mon talk about scaremongering!
I can’t believe they are complaining about the fact that we can get generics drugs from more places, makes perfect sense to me.
You;re missing the point ENTIRELY – her point is about quality control – not source!
economics 101 did you see the generic drugs report on sixty minutes awhile back ? drugs that were bought in third world countries that did not meet certain standards..so if you are a diabetic and are taking a certain prescribed drug..or if you have high blood pressure are you going to be ok with these drugs from a third world country ? Zane De silva is a lunatic to even think of allowing these cheep drugs in to this Island….where the hell are we going ?
Third world countries? Are you kidding? Neither of these places are third world countries. Israel is renowned for its medical research and the quality of its doctors. India is one of the largest and fastest growing economies in the world. Brazil is a powerful manufacturing nation as well. I highly doubt that any drugs coming from these places would be “cheap”.
It seems we are having a problem with prescriptions on this Island, in terms of availability. My husband has prescriptions that regularly need to be filled, and I know that, in the past few months, there have been instances where we could not get the full amount of pills in his prescriptions (sometimes we got half his pills and had to wait a couple days for the pharmacy to have the rest available.) Maybe his prescriptions are just in demand by lots of people, but it seems like it would be a good idea to have extra revenue streams of drugs available for people here.
India is also one of the largest sources of fake branded drugs as well as fake generics.
‘
It’s about quality. How would you feel if your husband’s prescription was filled with, go, let’s say baking soda and water?
I would comment on the Facebook Page, if the article was actually on it…
In the states many doctors are compensated by pharmaceutical companies for prescribing their specific drugs, up to the tune of 20-30k a year or more, as long as they meet their ‘quota’ the sales reps required. This isn’t the case for generic medications.
I’m not saying Dr. Michelmore falls under this umbrella by any means however, it is also a big problem with counterfeit drugs being peddled from these countries because they are able to get away with it. It’s been found that even at top retailers such as Walgreens, CVS etc. were unknowingly sold name brand drugs that turned out to be fake and only when an audit was done did they find out. Yes, it really does happen.
I wonder how the fine people of Bermuda would feel if they found out what they thought was a generic medication for Diabetes for example, was actually just water and baking soda and the government did nothing before hand to ensure the quality and safety of their citizens, just to have cheaper options available.
Just something to ponder on…
we would be the first to complain or even want to sue if we got one of those knee-grabbing cases of constipation or a knee trembling case of dancing diarrhea….or perhaps you would like a whoopee golberg.. in the midst of your office meeting with your director or applying for a job because you thought your Pepto Dismal was bona fide…..or maybe on the back of the bus between stops when you gotta go…you gotta go…..cause you thought your new prescription that read Teepee Wampum medicine Doctor….big Chief Stoppum Everything… meant the bus driver too! not the Bermy Bus Driver…..and that’s just light stuff……..Folks think health First and !Foolishness afterwards ….back Dr. Michelmore ..she is your best friend not your political Enemy and some of these other objections you are raising I will take her Professional advice…..you will too …..if you are as intelligent as you want to appear.!
Dr Michelmore is an intelligent and well spoken woman who knows what she is talking about .What does Zane De Silva know about anything ? I will NOT be using any generic drugs from those countries as they are very likely not safe
I am guessing now that all the pharmacists and doctors who have voiced their concerns regarding this subject in today’s daily will also now be villified as part of some grand conspiracy against the PLP and nothing but haters.
Personally I think that Min. Desilva should just revoke all work permits of the expats pharmacists and doctors while also pulling the medical licences of the local ones for this blatant blasphemous dissent…
Haterzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
You all are funny. Do you actually believe that the wholesalers that bring in the pharmaceuticals would bring in phony drugs and leave themselves open to prosecution, I think not. If Brazil, Israel and India are third world countries, then what does that make Bermuda? We import everything and export nothing. Our Tourism sucks and International Business is questionable. It is so obvious that some of you have no respect and nothing but hate for Zane Desilva, but no matter who the PLP have as Health Minister, the Haters will always hate. I reckon in some people’s mind the only party that can run Bermuda properly has to be a party controlled by the White Elitist (UBP) now the OBA.
It is not suggested that the phonies would be bought in intentionally – but without adequate safeguards, this may well occur. There is a real concern for ensuring quality control production protocols and indeed even sourcing of legitimate raw materials. This is a very real issue. It would be safer to ensure these protocols are in place to include proper consultation with relevant professionals and delaying this hasty action by a few weeks.
Logic doesn’t reside in Bermuda…so don’t even bother…I agree with generic medicines as they are cheaper, but we need legislation in place to ensure that the proper (read: REAL) medication hits Bermuda’s shores…
maybe she will think twice if she consumes some half-ass, fake medicine that doesn’t have the desired effect that it promises, but rather some nasty side effects…or maybe one of her family members
But even then she (and others) will blame the white man some how and then state that if the white elitis oppostion wasn’t so weak then maybe the proper laws would be in place…
Bet I am at least half right…
And in regards to elitist, maybe you should question why the PLP just bailed out a rich white American the other day with another SDO?
And in regards to elitist, maybe you should question why the PLP just bailed out a rich white American the other day with another SDO?
While at the same time laying of Bermuda, blue collar workers?
Remember that?
Well, you have one thing correct, lack of repsect the HNIC.
Everything else you say is gibberish.
Truly unbelievable!! Do you honestly believe that there are no proper manufacturing and best practice standards in Brazil, India and Israel? If that were true why would Pfizer, GlaxoSmithKline and all the majors have manufacturing plants in those countries? You should google and read about drug controller and drug control authority in these 3 countries to see how high those standards are. Every plant has to comply with WHO CGMP standards at a minimum and many are USFDA or UK MHRA approved. The most regulated markets like US, UK, Australia, Germany, etc import heavily from these three countries. Did you know the highest number of USFDA approved plants is located in India, after the US. Did you know the QC standards in Israel is extremely high.
Your comprehension is lacking. You do not understand the points made.
I guess all you “die-hards” and a construction boss know so much more than any actual person that actually makes a living in this field. Sh*t I think Min. Desilva should just do what he wants in his ministry with no professional oversight or contributions from people that work in the field on a daily basis.
Maybe we should scrap all private practices and simply go to Alaska Hall for check-ups and prescriptions. Sh*t we can just go there and Min Desilva can “Google” the symptoms and make his own diagnosis. Because we all know google is that much more experienced then any trained professional.
Why don’t you all tell all the professionals that made their concerns heard in the below RG link just to google it like you and their “politicised concerns” will magically go away.
http://www.royalgazette.com/article/20110630/NEWS01/706309982
Not one person stated that these countries would inevitably supply fake or sub-standard medicine. The argument is that proper legislation needs to be in place and/or amended to facilitate these new providers of medicine. It is a real concern and should be legislated to ensure that nothing adverse occurs. I mean without proper legislation in place Bermuda in essence can be labeled a third world country.
Stop with the constant politicking and realize that the individuals voicing their concerns are doing so in the best interests of all Bermudians. Not just the OBA supporters. And you wonder why some label others as “blind” supporters sometimes? Here is a perfect example. Sometimes it isn’t a simple PLP/OBA/UBP or black and white situation.
Actually this kind of irrational defensiveness reminds me of the personal and professional attacks on the former Auditor General whose main job is to protect the public purse from unscrupulous or irresponsible politicians. The AG position is to protect all Bermudians. But when the man pointed out numerous deficiencies and millions of dollars of unaccounted taxpayers funds. And what was the response from people like the ones above, attack, label and insinuate (i.e. attack the messenger and ignore the message). And you did exactly what the unscrupulous or irresponsible politicians hoped for. They created a distraction while they carried on being unscrupulous or irresponsible.
Now rant away children…
Tired,
As far as I can tell the safeguards were announced. The manufacturing plant has to have been approved by a drug authority of US, UK or one of the 27 EU countries. If a plant supplies to one of those markets, isn’t that plant good enough for us Bermudians? Do you feel that the manufacturing plant will supply the genuine medicines to those countries and ship sub-standard medicine to Bermuda and risk losing its manufacturing license in the country of manufacture. As a businessman, if you owned the manufacturing plant, would you risk that?
Are you saying a medicine coming from a factory in Poland or Romania or Slovenia which is all part of EU, is likely to be genuine while the medicine from Israel, Brazil or India “might” be counterfeit?
So, it would be ok to bring in tons of medicines from Slovenia while we should test every tablet from Teva Pharma of Israel?
Nowhere did I say that once country will provide better medicine than the next country.
My, and other issues is this, as quoted in the RG article:
“The Association, the Pharmacy Inspector and Bermuda Pharmacy Council were not consulted before the Pharmacy and Poisons (Designation of Approved Countries) Order 2011 was tabled by Mr DeSilva in the House of Assembly on June 17. ”
Why weren’t the professionals who deal in this industry on a daily basis not consulted? Does the Govt feel that their input is not valuable or needed when making a decision? Who was consulted when formulating this legislation? If someone from the medical field was consulted where is there analysis and conclusion on the matter? Do you believe that a construction boss or a political party, devoid of any medical expertise, is qualified enough to pass judgment on such an important piece of legislation alone?
“George Grundmuller, president and CEO of Phoenix Stores, said the order ought to have been made effective at the same time as strengthened regulations on importation.” Otherwise, it could create a grey zone in between,” he said. “What I think is very important for the Island is that we maintain the safety of the drug supply.” I think that has to be the top priority. We won’t bring in any drugs where we are not absolutely sure of where the drugs came from and we can verify the drug safety.”
I apologize but I do not want to ingest any medicine that comes from this so called “grey zone.” I also apologize for wanting strong legislation and professional judgments rendered/consulted in place before such an important bill is passed, which will affect all Bermudians.
Bring on the generic (i.e. cheaper) drugs. I wholeheartedly agree that the costs of health care in this country should be reduced or at least frozen. But I do not want this to occur in a manner where the risk mitigants are curtailed in order to facilitate this legislation. For such an important subject all parties involved must and should have been consulted with and their opinions taken into consideration.
All I ask for is thorough dude diligence be performed. Cause I know personally I would me mighty pissed off if I or any of my family/friends are prescribed and take sub-standard medication that can actually harm them or just do nothing at all. And the fact of the matter is that the fake drug business is now a HUGE business throughout the world.
Just wondering if yuo have anything to say about this little revelation?
“Lynanne Bolton, Pharmacy Inspector and Consultant to the Bermuda Government, issued a statement yesterday saying she was not consulted over the order, which allows prescription drugs to be imported from Brazil, India and Israel for the first time”
http://www.royalgazette.com/article/20110701/NEWS/707019987/0/news
I know, tell her to google it.
Does Bermuda need generics or do generic manufacturers need Bermuda?
Let’s think.
Enough is enough Bermuda, I can not tolerate this nonsense any longer.
I am sick and tired of ministers in this government that have been appointed head of a ministry that they know nothing about nor are they qualified to make decisions on.
How is Zane DeSilva qualified to make final decisions anything even remotely related to health and medicine? And I am sorry but being able to build a hospital does not qualify you nor does learning as you go on the internet.
Yes, there is a very real concern for Bermuda of projected higher healthcare costs in the future, but forget the cost, as now you are endangering and playing with people’s lives by importing prescription drugs that could prove to be fatal in some cases.
Since Mr. DeSilva is familiar with learning his new healthcare role via the internet, he should easily be able to look up and see that the same place he is planning on receiving prescription drugs from, India, has plans to introduce the death penalty or peddling fake prescription drugs!
Bulla Bulla……..Yah tawkin about dee MOOLA………………yes eye……
Remembar……De Silva is cheaper den De Golda………but it’s dee Pletinum…detz rite…………….
Dunn worry..um got hit hall horn tape………ann wah gunna make a Regge song….
The FDA is the highest and most stingent regulatory body for prescription drugs. That is what you pay for, the peace of mind knowing that you are receiving legit precription drugs.
Watch the National Geographic documentary “Illicit” and you would never think of getting precription drugs from some of these places. All it takes is glue, food coloring, and a pill pressing machine!
Why dont we listen to the professionals—the doctors and pharmacists, and let Zane De Silva stick to construction.He should be consulting the professionals before making decisions about our health or does he think he knows everything ?
So we have a Bobcat/Payloader operator making these important decisions without consulting the experts. Words fail me!!
Why are people suprised? Zane DeSilva’s qualifications, or lack thereof, have been posted many times. He’s doing what he’s been told to do by the people who pull his strings. He’s in over his head in this so bad and the people of Bermuda will suffer. This is about money. Money for those who are setting up companies for importing generic drugs. I will ask for name brand drugs from now on.
Bermuda first!!!