Mission Accomplished.
Today I bring you good news.
Drug company profis are soaring.
Despite naysayers like nyceve and millions of frightened and impoverished seniors, Medicare D is a triumphant homerun.
The early results are breathtaking, exceeding even the expectations of the Republican crooks and thieves responsible for this vicious assault on our most vulnerable.
At long last we can rejoice. We know for sure that the prescription drug benefit rammed through Congress in the dead of night, under cover of darkness is performing just as it was intended.
The summer revival in the pharmaceutical industry continued as Merck and Schering-Plough, two major American drug makers, reported second-quarter profits yesterday that were well ahead of analysts' expectations.
http://www.nytimes.com/...
nyceve continues. . .shaking with rage.
Have they no mercy? Targeting the elderly? Where is the shame?
Will an army of desperate seniors flock to the polls come November 7th?
Medicare Part D, which offers prescription coverage for people over 65, is fueling the profits, as drug makers benefit from new prescriptions and somewhat higher prices for medicines, Wall Street analysts say. The number of prescriptions has risen 3 percent this year, and growth accelerated in June to more than 5 percent, according to a report from Merrill Lynch.
Even the New York Times wonders who will win--the American people or powerful corporate interests?
Eventually, Part D could fuel a political reaction if prices continue to rise, but analysts expect the industry's influence in Washington will delay any changes for years.
Yesterday's reports from Merck and Schering fueled a rally in both drug shares and the broader market. The Standard & Poor's 500 index of major American stocks rose almost 2 percent for the day. A broader index of pharmaceutical industry stocks gained more than 2 percent, adding to its gains in July and closing at its highest level since early 2004. [Page C11.]
With growth in the number of prescriptions and price increases likely to continue, the gains for drug stocks may not be over, said Chris Schott, an industry analyst at Banc of America Securities. "You could see the group continue to rally here," Mr. Schott said.
But despite the great success of Medicare D, America's elderly still turn to Canada, our socialist neighbor to the North, to help with spiraling drug prices in the United States.
Americans -- mostly seniors living on fixed incomes -- spend billions of dollars on mail-order medications for chronic conditions such as high cholesterol and hypertension.
The medications sold by licensed Canadian pharmacies often are identical to those in the U.S. and may even come from the same factory. The big difference is price. Consumers north of the border -- and in most other countries -- typically pay a fraction of what U.S. customers do for brand-name pharmaceuticals.
http://www.latimes.com/...
Democrats sense an electoral issue and have introduced legislation to make it easier for Americans to import cheaper prescription medications from Canada.
The measure was introduced by Sen. Bill Nelson (D-Fla.), who has called for an investigation of Customs' seizures of seniors' mail-order medications, and Sen. David Vitter (R-La.). Vitter said he wanted Congress to send a message that Customs ought to focus on securing the nation against terrorism -- not "stripping small amounts of prescription drugs from the hands of seniors."
Customs did not respond to requests for comment.
The Bush administration has opposed past calls to ease restrictions on the personal importation of prescription medications, contending that foreign-produced drugs may be unsafe. Some have also contended that controls were needed to prevent terrorists from importing dangerous substances disguised as drugs.
Well, since Customs didn't respond I will. Take a look at the U.S. Customs and Border Enforcement web page on what they'll do to your mother or grandmother who buys Lipitor from Canada at a fraction of the American price.
Buying Prescription Medicine From Internet Foreign Pharmacies
Q: What can I do to get my medication back?
A: If the drugs that CBP interdicted are controlled substances, the Election of Proceedings document you received by mail can be completed requesting formal seizure.
If the drugs are non-controlled prescription drugs, such as Viagra, Penicillin, Prozac, Lipitor, CBP will inform consignees who are in violation of this law. Consignees will receive a letter that they have 30 days to either abandon the shipment or request an admissibility review by the FDA. Their options are to: 1) abandon the shipment to CBP and CBP will destroy the package at the government's expense, 2) the consignee can elect to have CBP send the package to FDA to determine the admissibility of the drug, or 3) if the consignee does not respond to the letter at all in 30 days, CBP will destroy the package. The FDA will make all final decisions on admissibility.
http://www.cbp.gov/...
Rest well my children Medicare D is up and running. All is good in the world.