Which is More Important, Medicine or Food?
An Urgent Message to All American Citizens

In recent years thousands upon thousands of American citizens have avoided the "medicine or food" dilemma with prescriptions filled by Canadian pharmacies.

The reason? They receive by mail the exact same medications they'd receive in the U. S. But they pay considerably less ... the same prescription drugs from the same manufacturers at up to 50% reductions.

For the uninsured and those on fixed incomes there's no longer a need to takes less than prescribed or do without entirely.

CAN'T AFFORD YOUR PRESCRIPTIONS? GLAXOSMITHKLINE DOESN'T CARE

Now the world's second largest manufacturer of pharmaceuticals will no longer permit its products to be distributed in this manner. The company is UK-headquartered GlaxoSmithKline (2001 corporate profits $6.2 billion.) And Glaxo has told its Canadian distributors to discontinue deliveries - under threat of cutoff - to the mail order pharmacies that sell into the U. S.

Here's how Glaxo defines its mission: "to improve the quality of human life by enabling people to do more, feel better and live longer." Further, the company says its motivation in this action is to assure consumer safety.

A QUESTION OF PLAUSIBILITY

Is this plausible? We're talking about the same medications* dispensed in the U. S., often manufactured in the same plants, prescribed by American doctors, and filled by licensed Canadian pharmacists.

What do you think Glaxo's motivation is? To preserve its U. S. profit margins, perhaps? The Canadian International Pharmaceutical Association requests your help in stopping this outrageous display of greed.

HOW CAN YOU HELP?

• Protest to your Senator and Representative. (Go to Web site www.capwiz.com for direct, free e-mail links or call the Senate switchboard at 1-202-224-3121)
  
• Call Glaxo's toll-free help line (1-800-825-5249) to express your concern. Voice mail prompts will put you in touch with a person.
  
• Go to the top of the hierarchy. Write to: Mr. Christopher Viebacher, President, GlaxoSmithKline US Pharmaceuticals, Five Moore Drive, P. O. Box 13398, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709.
  
• Ask your doctor to substitute other brands or generics for Glaxo drugs when possible.
  
• Stop buying Glaxo's consumer products, such as Tums antacids and AquaFresh toothpaste.
  
• Show copies of this ad to your friends and neighbors and ask for their help in circulating it.

Please help us fight your fight. If Glaxo makes this policy stick, competitors are sure to follow. And no one should have to choose between medicine and food.

Let's let Glaxo know we have consumer power!