National Survey Reveals Americans Saving $5,000 a Year by Ordering Prescriptions From Canada

93% Say Prescription Drug Costs Are Important to How They’ll Vote in the Next Election, Compared to 84% a Year Ago


Americans Save on Rx from Canada
Happy seniors

WASHINGTON, October 12, 2023 (Newswire.com) - Americans choosing to import their prescription medications from licensed Canadian pharmacies report saving $4,920 a year and four times the savings compared to U.S. pharmacies, GoodRx and Amazon Pharmacy, according to survey results and price comparison analysis released today by the Campaign for Personal Prescription Importation (CPPI).

This national CPPI survey demonstrates a remarkable trend of increasing savings for patients importing medications from Canada over the last five years. It also highlights the importance of personal prescription importation as a means of accessing affordable medication for Americans.

Key Survey Findings

• Average annual savings of $4,920 in 2023, as reported by Americans importing prescription medications from Canada, compared to U.S. costs, reveals a major 5-year trend:
  • In 2022, the average annual savings amounted to $3,744
  • In 2021, savings averaged $2,736
  • In 2020, savings averaged $2,940
  • In 2019, savings averaged $2,352
• Americans importing their prescription medications from Canada reported saving an average of $410 per month, compared to U.S. costs.
• 99% of respondents would recommend importation to their friends and family members.
• 93% of respondents say that addressing the high cost of prescription drugs in the U.S. is important to how they will vote in the next election, compared to 84% just one year ago. 

CPPI 2023 Survey Data Cross Tabs

“Savings of nearly $5,000 a year on medications from Canada versus prices four times higher at U.S. pharmacies is often a matter of life and death for patients across America,” says Jack Pfeiffer, CPPI Executive Director. “While state and federal efforts aim to lower prescription drug costs, the truth is we hear from Americans every day who still can’t afford U.S. drug prices. Americans’ only immediate, safe solution to access critically necessary, affordable daily prescriptions is to order from licensed Canadian pharmacies.”

Federal negotiation of drug prices for Medicare does not provide immediate relief from the astronomical prices that Americans pay for their life-saving medicines. The drugs subject to price negotiation will not be made available at lower cost until 2026 and it is unclear if consumers will see those lower prices. It is unlikely that any of the potential savings from this program will affect the hundreds of millions of Americans who are not eligible for Medicare. Only 10 drugs will be subject to the initial price negotiation. What’s more, the price negotiation is subject to multiple lawsuits and legislative challenges that could prevent lower prices from ever becoming a reality.  

States have joined the battle to allow for the importation of affordable medicines from Canada. While 10 states have wholesale importation laws on the books, none are operational as none of the state programs have been approved by the Food and Drug Administration. The state plans face U.S. and Canadian regulatory restrictions, as well as legal challenges and opposition to wholesale importation. 

Meanwhile, millions of Americans import prescription medications from abroad. 89% are over the age of 65 according to the CPPI survey. 91% cite the high cost of prescription drugs in the U.S. as the primary reason for ordering from licensed Canadian pharmacies. They rely on international pharmacies for critical daily prescription medications such as ELIQUIS and XARELTO to treat and prevent blood clots and strokes. 

Daniel Wendell from California says, “I have had asthma since I was a child and have been on various drugs for its treatment my entire life. Generic versions of my inhaler did not work as well for me. Brand name inhaler prices in the U.S., even from a discount pharmacy, are outrageous -- $400/month. I can get the same medicine from Canada for $100/month from a certified Canadian pharmacy.”

Four Times The Savings

CPPI price comparisons regularly demonstrate savings of 50% to 90% on commonly prescribed brand-name prescription medications from Canada compared to leading U.S. pharmacies, GoodRx and Amazon Pharmacy. Analysis of these price comparisons shows four times the savings on medications from Canada.  

How to Find a Safe Pharmacy

Americans need greater access to safe, reliable, and affordable medications. The importance increases for people with multiple underlying conditions, as 66% of survey respondents who report taking four or more medications can attest.

• 80% of surveyed Americans who import their prescriptions report being referred by a trusted medical professional, friend, or family member.
• 80% of survey respondents know how to identify “rogue” pharmacies and are savvy in their search to find an online pharmacy they can trust.
• 99% of respondents would recommend importation to their friends and family members.

CPPI recommends searching only certified websites for prescription drugs from licensed Canadian pharmacies. Click here for more information on how to find trusted Canadian pharmacies.

Survey Methodology

CPPI conducted this online survey between Nov. 15, 2022, and June 31, 2023. Based on the universe of followers of CPPI, this sample of 1,162 responses represents statistically significant findings with a standard sampling error of plus or minus 5%. All registered trademarks referred to herein belong to their respective owners.

Contact Information:
Jack Pfeiffer
Executive Director, Campaign for Personal Prescription Importation
info@personalimportation.org
202-641-8574
Related Files
202310 Drug Prices U.S. Vs Canada (1).png



Original Source: National Survey Reveals Americans Saving $5,000 a Year by Ordering Prescriptions From Canada