Fergie's Tech Blog

WTF Alert: Customs Releases Seized Prescription Medicines From Canada

The crackdown began in November, when U.S. Customs and Border Protection quietly increased seizures of prescription drugs mailed from abroad. Previously, federal authorities generally allowed such shipments, although it is technically illegal for individuals to import pharmaceuticals.

The seizures -- up to 5 percent of orders from American consumers, according to some Canadian pharmacies -- sent thousands of mail-order buyers, most of them seniors living on fixed incomes, scrambling to obtain medications to control cholesterol, high blood pressure, diabetes and other conditions.

Then, without notice, postal carriers began delivering hundreds of packages -- some held up for two months -- to buyers from Florida to California.

posted by Fergie @ 2/28/2006 09:17:00 PM