Canadian International Pharmacy Association

Established in 2002, the Canadian International Pharmacy Association ("CIPA") is a Canadian association of licensed pharmacy businesses offering mail order pharmacy services to Canadian and international consumers.

Although CIPA presents itself as representing reputable pharmacies selling verified products, many of the pharmacies listed as members sell products "sourced from unreliable countries such as India and Turkey, which have never had to pass through Health Canada's regulatory process for safety and efficacy," according to independent researcher Prof. Amir Attaran.[1] In 2014, Prof. Attaran sent a detailed letter to law enforcement alleging that several pharmacies represented by CIPA were involved in criminal acts.[2]

According to Managed Care, an industry magazine, about a million Americans a year get drugs from licensed Canadian pharmacies that are certified by CIPA. Sen. John McCain (R-AZ), Sen. Bernie Sanders (D-VT), and five other sponsors have introduced legislation that would allow Americans with a U.S. prescription to order a 90-day supply of medicines from a licensed Canadian pharmacy.[3] Yet according to Prof. Attaran, CIPA works hard to mask the unsavoury activities of its members, meaning that this legislation could create a dangerous situation for patients in America.

CIPA has appeared frequently in the news as an advocate for safe online pharmacy practices and the lower prices of drugs available outside of the United States,[4][5] though not without significant controversy.[6][7] CIPA standards and practices have been described as "likely becoming a major part of the health care system in the near future".[8] In 2009, CIPA was invited to present at the United Nations Internet Governance Forum on "Medicines on the Web - Risks and Benefits".[9][10] In February 2010, CIPA was selected by Google to be its official verifier of pharmacy advertisements in Canada, but lost that status in April 2012.[11] CIPA has also been selected as Canadian verification authority for Microsoft Bing and Yahoo! online pharmacy advertising.[12]

References

  1. ↑ searchingforsafety.net
  2. ↑ Letter from Prof. Amir Attaran & Reed Beall to Health Canada et al Re: Request for Investigation July 3, 2014
  3. ↑ Legislation & Regulation: Campaign 2016. Drug Imports: The New Idea That’s Kind of Old Richard Mark Kirkner, MANAGED CARE, May 2016
  4. ↑ "Buying online drugs: Dos and Don'ts - CTV News". Ctv.ca. 2007-03-21. Retrieved 2011-05-25.
  5. ↑ "Some look north for affordable prescriptions". Post-gazette.com. 2010-05-23. Retrieved 2011-05-25.
  6. ↑ "Internet pharmacy: the tug-of-war intensifies - Korcok 170 (6): 946 - Canadian Medical Association Journal". Cmaj.ca. 2004-03-16. doi:10.1503/cmaj.1040099. Retrieved 2011-05-25.
  7. ↑ Danylo Hawaleshka. "Federal Health Minister to Take on Internet Pharmacies - The Canadian Encyclopedia". Encyclopediecanadienne.ca. Retrieved 2011-05-25.
  8. ↑ http://www.cpjournal.ca/doi/pdf/10.3821/1913-701X(2008)141%5B191%3ACIPSEA%5D2.0.CO%3B2
  9. ↑ "Internet Governance Forum". Intgovforum.org. Retrieved 2011-05-25.
  10. ↑ Karen Marie Johnson Says: (2010-05-15). "CIPA Safety Standards Resonate at United Nations Forum « Canadian International Pharmacy Association". Ciparx.ca. Retrieved 2011-05-25.
  11. ↑ Darryl Wenkrik says: (2010-07-07). "Canadian International Pharmacy Association (CIPA) Named Official Pharmacy Verifier of Google Canada « Canadian International Pharmacy Association". Ciparx.ca. Retrieved 2011-05-25.
  12. ↑ "Canadian International Pharmacy Association (CIPA) Selected as Canadian Verification Authority For Microsoft and Yahoo! Online Pharmacy Advertising « Canadian International Pharmacy Association". Ciparx.ca. Retrieved 2011-05-25.
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