STONY BROOK UNIVERSITY - HEALTH PULSE OF AMERICA - NOVEMBER 2003

PRESCRIPTION DRUG IMPORTATION

Americans express broad support for the importation of drugs from Canada and believe pharmaceutical products from over the border are perfectly safe. Roughly two in three of all Americans support action by the United States Congress that would make it legal for individuals and states to purchase prescription drugs from Canada. People of all ages support drug importation and Republicans are just as supportive as Democrats. Support is somewhat higher among better educated individuals and those living in high income households.

Should be Legal or Illegal to Purchase Canadian Prescription Drugs ?

When asked their view of the safety of prescription drugs purchased from Canada, 58% thought they were very or somewhat safe, 31% did not know whether the drugs were safe or unsafe, and only 10% thought the drugs were somewhat or very unsafe. Individuals with a college degree were somewhat more likely to have an opinion on drug safety and a higher percentage viewed imported drugs as safe (68%).

Safety of Canadian Prescription Drugs

Total 
Respondents

College 
Degree

Americans also generally supported government limits on what pharmaceutical companies can charge for drugs as happens in Canada. 72% of all Americans supported such price controls and this support was found across individuals of differing educational background, income, and age. Republicans also supported price limits (66%), although to a somewhat lesser degree than did Democrats (77%).

Methodology

The poll was conducted between November 5 and November 25 by the Stony Brook University Center for Survey Research. 814 adults were interviewed from across the nation. The poll is based on an RDD nationally representative sample of telephone numbers drawn from blocks with at least one-listed residential number. Up to 7 contact attempts were made at each selected household and individuals were selected at random within households. Findings are weighted using post-stratification weights for age, gender and census region in accordance with 2002 national Census statistics. The margin of error is plus/minus 3.4 percentage points for the entire sample.

STONY BROOK UNIVERSITY HEALTH PULSE OF AMERICA
November 5 - November 25, 2003

Q17. Are you in favor or opposed to the government placing limits on what pharmaceutical companies can charge for drugs, as happens in other countries such as Canada?

Q18. In your view, how safe or unsafe are prescriptions drugs purchased from Canada?

Q19. Some people say the US Congress should Change the current law and make it LEGAL for Americans to buy prescription drugs from Canada, and other countries because they're less expensive. The U.S. (United States) Food and Drug Administration say it should remain ILLEGAL because imported drugs may be less safe and effective. What do you think--should it be legal or illegal for Americans to buy prescription drugs from Canada, Europe, and other industrialized countries?

Q20. Several states are exploring whether to import prescription drugs from Canada for state employees and Medicaid recipients in order to cut costs, a practice that is currently ILLEGAL. Do you think the United States Congress should change the law and make it LEGAL for states to purchase drugs from Canada?

© Copyright Center for Survey Research - Stony Brook University