Supporters of importing prescription drugs – 2004's magic elixir for soaring drug costs – are suffering unpleasant side effects as the new year dawns: Their idea is looking like a mild palliative at best. USATODAY.com Mon, Jan 03, 2005 Read the full story at yahoo.com.

Arnoldo Garcia, 79, saves a pretty penny when he purchases prescription drugs for himself and his wife. For his money, he can't beat the convenience and the savings of his favorite pharmacy, which is in Canada. By icess fernandez Caller-Times January 3, 2005 Read the full story at caller.com.

Rhode Island has become what is believed to be the first state in the nation to approve regulations that allow its residents to import cheaper prescription drugs from Canada. 01-02-05 Read the full story at kfmb.com.

A state-sponsored Web page that offers links to Canadian pharmacies had more than 18,000 visits in the months following its inception last year. By ALBERT McKEON, Telegraph Staff Published: Sunday, Jan. 2, 2005 Read the full story at nashuatelegraph.com.

The bottle of Pfizer's Lipitor cholesterol drug looked legitimate. At least to the average eye. But to those who work in Pfizer Inc.'s forensics laboratory in Groton, it was anything but. By ANTHONY CRONIN, Day Staff Writer Published on 1/2/2005 Read the full story at theday.com.

AUSTIN – Many Texans for years have sought cheaper prescription drugs by crossing the border into Mexico, an option often considered unsafe and inconvenient except for those living close to the Rio Grande. By R.G. RATCLIFFE Read the full story at chron.com.

ST. PAUL – Gov. Tim Pawlenty called on the Canadian government Friday not to "slam the door on American consumers" by changing rules that would restrict the export of less-expensive drugs to the United States. ASSOCIATED PRESS Posted on Sat, Jan. 01, 2005 Read the full story at duluthsuperior.com.

Authorization of the importation of prescription drugs from countries with lower prices than the United States is an increasingly attractive proposition for state and federal policymakers. The short-run benefit of reductions in prices of selected prescription drugs for selected patients may be viewed as a sufficient reason to favor importation. However, there may be longer-run effects of importation of prescription…

It is with concern that we observe your recent creation of an internet site intended to encourage Wisconisn citizens to purchase unapproved, illegal drugs from foreign pharmacies. Click here to download the letter in pdf format.