Consumers Urged to Take Action to Stop the White House from Blocking Access to Low Cost Medicine from Pharmacies Abroad

White Plains, NY (PRWEB) April 5, 2011

PharmacyChecker.com, the leading evaluator of international online pharmacies, launched an advocacy initiative today rallying Americans to stop efforts by the White House Office of the Intellectual Property Rights Coordinator (IPEC) that may block Americans from accessing Canadian and other safe international online pharmacies. IPECs activities have received little public notice but should concern many Americans.

At a time when record numbers of Americans cannot afford prescription medicine, why is the White House trying to make the situation worse? asked Tod Cooperman, M.D., President and Founder of PharmacyChecker.com. He noted, Research shows that drugs ordered online from properly verified pharmacies in many countries, such as Canada, are just as genuine and safe as those in the U.S., but their prices are lower. There are also rogues that sell counterfeits. Unfortunately, rather than focus on the counterfeiters, the White Houses IP czar is looking to block all non-U.S. online pharmacies and force Americans to pay top-dollar for their medicines. We want the White House to stop taking cues from the pharmaceutical industry and start listening to the people.

The letter (which individuals can send to President Obama and their congressional representatives reads:

"I ask that you do what is in your power to stop a misguided campaign by the White House Office of the Intellectual Property Enforcement Coordinator (the "IP czar") to block Americans from buying their medicines online from reputable pharmacies in countries where they can be obtained at much lower cost, often 50% to 80% less than in the U.S. Such actions can make it impossible for many Americans to afford and obtain medications. According to the Centers for Disease Control, a record 25 million Americans do not take their medication due to cost, and a Harvard study shows that 120 million Americans are struggling to afford their medication.1,2

"In her recent report (http://www.cybercrime.gov/ipecreport2010.pdf) to the President and Congress, the IP czar, Victoria A. Espinel, cites (on pages 28 and 29) vague "health and safety issues," to pressure search engines, domain registrars, credit card companies and others to assist in its apparent crackdown on all non-U.S. online pharmacies that serve Americans. This plan was hatched by a pharmaceutical company-sponsored group and submitted to the IP czar in March 2010.3 The truth is that independent research (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2921371/) shows that properly credentialed international online pharmacies are just as safe as those in the U.S., and their drugs are just as authentic. Even the FDA, which is responsible for health and safety issues, rarely interferes with consumers buying their medicine (other than controlled substances) from abroad, even though personal drug importation is technically not legal.

"The strategy of the IP czar appears to target any pharmacy not on a "White List" being developed by the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy, which excludes every non-U.S. online pharmacy, considering them all "rogue" regardless of their credentials or the authenticity of their products.4 A year ago, one could find advertisements for Canadian pharmacies on major search engines. Following government and pharmaceutical industry pressure, they are now blocked -- an action applauded by the IP czar.

"Reputable international pharmacies sell only up to a three-month supply of medication for personal use based on a prescription -- certainly not a threat to our domestic drug supply and not relevant to the IP czar's claim that her actions are meant to "secure our supply chain."

"Show us that you care. Make sure that the IP czar and all federal agencies focus their efforts only on dangerous online pharmacies and fake medications. Tell the IP czar not to block Americans from getting safe, genuine, and affordable medicine from online pharmacies in Canada and other countries."

Americans can send this letter to the President and members of Congress from the advocacy area on PharmacyChecker.com at http://action.pharmacychecker.com/4199/stop-white-house-from-blocking-access-to-low-cost-medicine/.

A free consumer guide, How to Save Money on Prescription Medications, Safely is also available, as is a blog focused on online pharmacy news and topics. Americans can take additional action through RxRights.org, a national coalition dedicated to raising awareness and spurring action around safe prescription drug importation.

PharmacyChecker.com helps Americans find the best drug prices from verified online pharmacies. PharmacyChecker.coms independent pharmacy ratings and drug price comparisons are free to consumers. PharmacyChecker.com, founded in 2002, is a privately held company based in New York with no ownership in or from companies that sell or distribute pharmacy products.

References:

1 Health, United States, 2010. U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Preventions National Center for Health Statistics (see http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/hus/hus10.pdf#highlights). Table 76 shows that 8.4% of total U.S. population did not get prescription drugs due to cost in 2009, up from 4.8% in 1997. This equates to approximately 25 million Americans in 2009 and 13 million in 1997.

2 The Public on Prescription Drugs and Pharmaceutical Companies, USA Today/Kaiser Family Foundation/Harvard School of Public Health, March 2008 (see http://www.kff.org/kaiserpolls/upload/7748.pdf). Chart 20 shows that 40% of the public reports difficulty affording the drugs they need. This equates to approximately 120 million Americans.

3 Response of the Alliance for Safe Online Pharmacies (ASOP) to the Request for Comments from the United States Intellectual Property Enforcement Coordinator, March 24, 2010 (See http://www.safeonlinerx.com/2010/03/our-comments-filed-with-the-us-intellectual-property-enforcement-coordinator.html). ASOP does not list its funders but its listed large business members are Eli Lilly and Merck.

4 National Associations of Boards of Pharmacy, Criteria for legitimacy for Internet pharmacies (see http://www.nabp.net/programs/consumer-protection/buying-medicine-online/criteria-1/). Criteria #4 is that the pharmacy must be domiciled in the United States.

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George Washington Exhibition Makes Only Texas Stop at Fort Worth Museum

Fort Worth, Texas (PRWEB) October 13, 2011

George Washington's only surviving complete set of dentures will be among the approximately 100 original objects associated with him on display when Discover the Real George Washington: New Views from Mount Vernon makes its only Texas appearance on its national tour at the Fort Worth Museum of Science and History. Running from Saturday, Oct. 15, 2011, through Sunday, Jan. 22, 2012, the exhibition explores Washingtons views on religion and slavery, and the influence of his wife, Martha, along with engaging videos, original artifacts, intricate three-dimensional architectural models and interactive displays. Three life-size figures, developed through a cutting-edge forensic investigation, depict Washington at significant stages of his lifeage 19 as a young surveyor, age 45 as commander-in-chief, and age 57 when he was sworn in as the countrys first president.

We are extremely honored to be chosen as the sole museum in Texas for this extraordinary historical exhibition," said Van Romans, museum president. Partnering with Historic Mount Vernon is another proud milestone in the history of our museum, and we are delighted to share this exhibition with our community and surrounding neighbors.

The exhibition is presented in 11 sections, ranging from Washingtons youth to his final days. In addition to Washingtons dentures, paintings, books, maps, and objects such as surveying equipment, Revolutionary War armaments, tools used by slaves, and presidential table settings are among the artifacts featured in the exhibition. Mrs. Washington is represented by original jewelry, pieces of her china, silver, and glassware, and reproductions of her gold wedding dress and purple satin slippers.

Although over a million people come to walk in Washingtons footsteps at Mount Vernon each year, we know that not everyone will have a chance to visit his home, said Jim Rees, executive director of Mount Vernon. We wanted to bring the fascinating story of Washingtons life to people around the country by showing a wide variety of compelling personal belongings and some intriguing elements from our new Donald W. Reynolds Museum and Education Center.

Three life-size models of George Washington were assembled from a two-year forensic study where computer scientists, art historians, 18th-century garment experts, and a forensic scientist used technology and research from primary sources to measure and analyze portraits, sculpture, and Washingtons dentures and clothing. The project employed proprietary age-progression and regression techniques to create three depictions of Washington as a teenaged surveyor, commander-in-chief atop a white horse, and as the first president taking the oath of office. These lifelike wax figures, with real human hair that was implanted one strand at a time, are embedded in realistic settings one even with animation that re-create scenes in the woodsy Ohio Valley territory, wintry Valley Forge, and on the balcony of Federal Hall.

The fascinating process of creating the figures is shown in a video by The History Channel, which also produced five other videos in the exhibition on religion, espionage, slavery, Washingtons dentures, and his state-of-the-art gristmill.

A full-size, functional replica of Washingtons pew at Pohick Church and detailed models of Fort Necessity and Washingtons mansion and estate, gristmill, and innovative 16-sided treading barn bring large structures to the exhibition in a scalable manner, while interactive touch screens encourage involvement.

The exhibition was organized by the Mount Vernon Ladies Association and funded by the Donald W. Reynolds Foundation, a philanthropic organization founded in 1954 by the late media entrepreneur for whom it is named. The exhibition was designed by MFM Design, Inc. and fabricated by Explus, Inc. The forensic figures of George Washington were created by StudioEIS.

About the Fort Worth Museum of Science and History

The Fort Worth Museum of Science and History is an institution dedicated to lifelong learning, anchored by its rich collections. The museum engages children and adult visitors through creative, vibrant programs and exhibits interpreting science and the history of Texas and the Southwest. The new $ 80-million campus opened in November 2009 marking the culmination of an extensive multiyear fundraising campaign. The Fort Worth Museum of Science and History is open daily, except Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and select Mondays in September. For more information about the museum, visit http://www.fortworthmuseum.org or call 817-255-9300.

About Mount Vernon

Since 1860, over 80 million visitors have made George Washingtons Mount Vernon Estate & Gardens the most popular historic home in America. Through thought-provoking tours, entertaining events and stimulating educational programs on the estate and in classrooms across the nation, Mount Vernon strives to preserve George Washingtons place in history as First in War, First in Peace, and First in the Hearts of His Countrymen. Mount Vernon is owned and operated by the Mount Vernon Ladies Association, Americas oldest national preservation organization, founded in 1853. A picturesque drive to the southern end of the scenic George Washington Memorial Parkway, Mount Vernon is located just 16 miles from the nations capital. http://www.MountVernon.org

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