The high cost of prescription drugs has Missouri officials looking for ways to save money, but buying inexpensive drugs from Canada is apparently not in the works. Prescription drugs sold in Canada – the same brand names sold at pharmacies throughout the U.S. – are a fraction of the price Americans are paying. Illinois is considering buying drugs for its state programs from Canada. Christine Rackers, the Director of Missouri’s Division of Medical Services – which administers the state’s Medicaid program- says Missouri’s not planning on Canadian shopping sprees but the idea has been discussed. Rackers says the state hopes to save money by looking to over-the-counter or generic drugs. Canada’s costs are much less because Canada controls drug prices while the U.S. doesn’t do that.
