Media Release

For Immediate Release
Date: July 1, 2005
Contact: Robert Marshall, PhD 222-1017

Health Department Files Revised Canadian Pharmacy Regulations
Revised Regulations Take Effect on July 21, 2005

Today the RI Department of Health (HEALTH) filed revised regulations with the Secretary of State for the licensing of Canadian pharmacies. These regulations (R5-19.1-PHAR) will take effect on July 21, 2005.

The revised regulations implement RI General Law section 5-19.1-11.1, which required HEALTH to license Canadian pharmacies to import prescription drugs into Rhode Island. HEALTH filed initial regulations in December 2004, as required by state law, and received four applications from Canadian pharmacies. Subsequent discussion focused on establishing standards to protect the health and safety of Rhode Islanders. HEALTH conducted a public hearing on the revised regulations on June 15, 2005 and considered the testimony of various interested parties.

“The current regulations allow Rhode Islanders to receive prescription medicine from licensed Canadian pharmacies,” said Dr. David R. Gifford, MD, MPH, Director of the RI Department of Health, “ and meet the Legislature’s objective of promoting access to more affordable drugs.”

HEALTH will contact the current Canadian applicants to advise them about the changes in regulations and steps needed to complete the application process. The application forms and revised regulations and are available on the Secretary of State’s website or through a link on the HEALTH website, www.health.ri.gov. (choose “topics A-Z”; “c” for Canadian Drugs and then “Rules and Regulations….).