pharmacies through a friend who has tried to place orders for medicines through them. Could you please tell me what their legal status is? Are they safe to order medicines from? PAVAN DUGGAL SUNDAY, MARCH 20, 2005 Read the full story at indiatimes.com.

ST. PAUL – Minnesota, the first state to operate a Web site that helps residents import cheaper medications from Canada, plans to expand the program to include British mail-order pharmacies, Gov. Tim Pawlenty said Friday. Associated Press March 20, 2005 Read the full story at billingsgazette.com.

World Health Organisation officials have called for an international treaty to help combat counterfeiting of medicines, a practice rampant in the developing world that is also on the rise in rich nations as a result of illegal internet sales. Published: March 19 2005 02:00 By Frances Williams Read the full story at news.ft.com.

Health and Human Services Secretary Michael O. Leavitt discussed prescription drug imports with Canadian Health Minister Ujjal Dosanjh in their first meeting since Mr. Leavitt was appointed. By Marguerite Higgins, THE WASHINGTON TIMES March 18, 2005 Read the full story at washingtontimes.com.

WASHINGTON — Health Minister Ujjal Dosanjh says he isn't getting heat from U.S. officials to stop the flow of prescription drugs from Canada. Dosanjh, who met U.S. Health Secretary Michael Leavitt yesterday, said he outlined the options Canada is considering, including a ban on Internet pharmacies. Fri, March 18, 2005 Read the full story at canoe.ca.

JEFFERSON CITY (AP) – Republican leaders are supporting an Internet program that allows Missourians to buy cheaper prescriptions drugs from Canada, despite a federal ban on the imports. Published Friday, March 18, 2005 Read the full story at columbiatribune.com.

Think about the prescription pills you take. They're white or pink. Maybe they have something stamped on them. You assume they contain the medicine you ordered, because you trust the place you got them. But how difficult would it be to make fake pills? Knight Ridder/Tribune News Service Posted on Fri, Mar. 18, 2005 Read the full story at fortwayne.com.

USA – The… Kaiser Daily Health Policy Report examines recent developments related to prescription drug reimportation in three states. Summaries appear below. 16 Mar 2005 Read the full story at medicalnewstoday.com.