HGCD
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to pay a membership fee or buy a membership
card?
No. Unlike other services, HGCD does NOT have any membership
fees; administration fees; no sign up fees, and no confusing
Drug Discount Medical Cards to attempt to choose from.
There is the cost of your prescription, and the cost of
shipping - that is all.
What are my savings?
On average, the savings provided to US citizens who choose
to use HGCD and our pharmacy partners is between 40 to 60
percent savings, vice the cost of similar drugs purchased
at Walgreen's, Wal-Mart, Costco or their local pharmacy.
This depends on the drugs, and there are cases where certain
drugs can be more expensive - which is why we provide a
free online quote service for your convenience. Please note
that prices do change without notice, based on market availability,
and the price at the time of dispensing will be charged.
Why are prescription drugs so much cheaper in Canada?
There are a number of reasons why Canada's prescriptions
drugs are less expensive than in the US:
a. The Canadian Government has established the Patented
Medicine Prices Review Board, which dictates to the pharmaceutical
companies what they are permitted to sell their drugs for
in Canada - essentially price controls - something the US
Government has refused to do - the only industrialized nation
in the world with no form of price controls;
b. The Canadian Generic Drug industry is ten times the
size of the US because the Canadian Government does not
permit the serialized patent protection that is rampant
in the US - thereby creating a large, more competitive and
affordable generic substitution option for US citizens -
which provides even greater savings, if you choose this;
c. The United States and Canada currency exchange rates
provide a price advantage; and
d. Labour and costs are paid in Canadian Dollars, while
you pay in US Dollars. This allows for the provision of
savings which are passed onto the consumer, rather than
lining the pockets of our pharmacists.
The AARP released a report in July 2004 that noted that
since President Bush signed his prescription drug bill,
prescription drug costs have risen 7% in the US. This is
assessed by HGCD to take account for the intended discounts
to take effect in 2006 - which will essentially protect
the Pharmaceutical industry and protect their profit margins.
What is of importance is that during this same time frame,
the Canadian Government released the annual report that
indicated that prescription drug prices fell by 1% in cost
in Canada.
Is HGCD a pharmacy?
No. HGCD is a provincially incorporated private company
who has conducted due diligence on a number of pharmacies
in Canada. By doing this due diligence, HGCD has confirmed
that their pharmacy partners are legitimate, Canadian Government
Licensed Pharmacies, owned and operated by Canadian Government
registered pharmacists, who will only provide Health Canada
(our version of the FDA) approved prescription drugs, to
our clients. In addition, HGCD has selected Extended Care
Pharmacy, a member of the Canadian International Pharmacy
Association, the self-regulating organization for the Internet
Pharmacy Industry in Canada, to provide the prescription
drugs to our clients.
How do we know the prescriptions are safe?
Our pharmacy partners only provides Health Canada approved
prescription drugs for your orders. You can choose from
either the brand name or generic drug, and you receive by
mail, the same prescriptions that a Canadian citizen receives
at their local drug store.
HGCD's pharmacy partner is Andy Troszok, owner of Extended
Care Pharmacy, of Calgary Alberta. Andy is a founding member
and the President of the Canadian International Pharmacy
Association. CIPA is the leading and self-regulating body
of Internet Pharmacies in Canada.
Andy was the Canadian Pharmacist who negotiated with the
Governor of the State of Minnesota, for the State to establish
a website to assist their citizens to order prescriptions
from Canada. He has made formal presentations to members
of Congress, the Senate, the Governors Round Table, and
the AARP, regarding the safety of Canadian Prescription
Drugs.
Is this Legal?
HGCD and its pharmacy partner operate strictly in accordance
with Canadian Law.
The US FDA, while not endorsing the purchase of prescription
drugs from Canada, does not stop the importation of personal
use prescriptions as long as the drugs are delivered to
the client's place of residence and that no more than a
90-day supply is provided.
In 2000, former President Clinton signed a bill that allows
for imports from Canada. However, a poison pill provision
(no pun intended) was that the Commissioner of Health and
Human Services, would be required to certify the safety
of the Canadian Drug System. This has been refused to date,
due to intense political lobbying on the part of the pharmaceutical
industry - who wishes to protect their profits at the cost
of the citizens of the US. Both the House and Senate have
bills in progress which support the importation of prescription
drugs from Canada. On July 23, 2003, 66 US Senators voted
in favour of importing drugs from Canada - they have no
concerns regarding the safety of Canadian Drugs, provided
they are Health Canada approved drugs - which is what our
pharmacy partner provides.
The General Accounting Office, the GAO, a department of
the US Federal Government released a report in July 2004,
which acknowledges the safety of the Canadian Drug Supply
Chain - and noted that in some cases, the Canadian system
was more effective in comparison to the US System. This
report is available on line at In the News, on this website.
Who am I a client of?
You create a relationship directly with Extended Care Pharmacy,
our Pharmacy Partner.
At no time is your private and confidential information
of a US citizen provided to HGCD. Extended Care Pharmacy
conforms and meets the privacy requirements under HIPPA.
A citizen, by using these services, is exercising their
right of consumer choice. Anyone receiving this information
from HGCD is receiving information as to how to form a relationship,
with Extended Care Pharmacy, if they wish.
No one is under any obligation to use these services, and
that decision rests solely with the individual, making a
fully informed decision, in a free and democratic society.
How do I pay for my Prescriptions?
Extended Care Pharmacy provides three methods of payments
and billing is by them:
a. Visa;
b. MasterCard;
c. Direct debit from your checking account.
Can I order online?
No. Due to the requirement to have your signature on the
client release forms you need to fill out the client information
package, by first printing it - or by filling out the information
forms that a HGCD Sales Associate has provided you.
You may however, fill out a client information form online
- but you still need to fax your release forms, and prescription
to the toll free fax number.
Do I need to fill out the forms each time I wish
to order?
No. Once the initial forms are filled out, you do not need
to continue to redo the forms.
Do I need a prescription to order?
Yes. Only a valid prescription from a US doctor is permitted
to be filled.
Can you fill any order?
No. Certain classes of drugs, such as Valium and opiates
and ones that are temperature sensitive will not be filled,
as they are controlled substances. The drug database provides
information as to which prescriptions are available, and
also the prices.
Are all drugs cheaper in Canada?
No. In some cases, our prescriptions can be more expensive,
on a case-by-case basis. This is why a drug database, that
you can search by entering the drug name, is provided on
the website. We believe in a fully informed consumer, and
we highly recommend that you check prices before ordering
- to ensure that you are not ordering a drug that may, in
fact, be cheaper to purchase locally.
How is my order delivered?
From Canada Post, to the US Postal service, to your door.
How long is shipping time?
Approximately 7 to 10 business days.
How do I get my prescriptions refilled?
Our Call center will contact you approximately 3 weeks
prior to your prescription running out. They have all your
information on file - they will confirm that you wish your
order to be re-filled by Extended Care Pharmacy, and if
this is the case, then the order will arrive in time, so
that you do not have an interruption.
If there is a problem, can I return my prescription?
By Canadian Law once a prescription is filled and shipped,
it cannot be accepted for refund - due to contamination
and safety concerns.
What do I do if there is a problem?
Contact Extended Care Pharmacy, who will inform HGCD, and
a review of the issue will be conducted in order to find
a satisfactory solution for all parties.
I received information from a US citizen, regarding
HGCD - are they working with you?
HGCD works with a number of US citizens who provide information
regarding our services, and who are Sales Associates. If
you wish to confirm that a person is working with HGCD,
do not hesitate to confirm this.
I want to speak with a pharmacist and have a consultation
- is this possible?
Yes. Call the toll free phone number for Extended Care
Pharmacy, who provide this service free of charge. Do not
call HGCD for any personal medical issues, as we are unqualified
to provide this information.
How do I get started?
Print off the client information forms from the website
- or fill out the information package you received from
a Sales Associate and follow the instructions contained
in the Client Information Package.
I have many friends who I can introduce this service
to - can I work with you?
Yes. HGCD is always happy to work with satisfied clients
who wish to share this savings opportunity with their friends.
If you wish to become an affiliate, and explore this in
greater detail please fill out the Affiliate Information
page, and you will be contacted to explore this option.
I belong to a not for profit association or charity
- do you provide any support to this type of organization?
Yes. Contact Warren Armstrong, CEO, HGCD to examine this
in greater detail at warren.armstrong@hgcanadiandrugs.com.
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