When Maine passed a law in June 2013 allowing residents to purchase prescription medication by mail from overseas, it entered uncharted waters. The state became the first in the nation to formally defy federal regulations that prohibit Americans from importing drugs through foreign pharmacies, which often sell the same medications for half the cost.
While Maine’s law set a new national precedent, the controversial legislation unofficially sanctioned a hunt for cheaper prescription drugs that has driven Mainers across the border to Canada for years. Now a Bangor man finds himself at the intersection of the conflicting laws, ordered by federal officials to return medication he purchased with the state’s blessing.
“If we passed the law, which we did, then somebody has to stand up for the law,” he said.
Bangor man caught in conflict between Maine mail-order pharmacy laws, federal government
Other top health stories this week:
Bill to limit drivers’ THC levels concerns Maine medical marijuana growers
There are at least 15 bills before state legislators in Augusta regarding medical marijuana, including one that would tax and regulate the medicinal herb in the same way alcohol is handled in Maine.
Maine earns mixed grades for anti-smoking efforts
The American Lung Association’s 2015 “State of Tobacco Control” report comes less than a week after a public health group decried proposed cuts to anti-smoking programs in Gov. Paul LePage’s two-year budget.
From our bloggers
Wendy Watkins, Gym Class Dropout
Learn what my client Lori did to lose 100 pounds
If either weight loss or living a healthy lifestyle was one of your 2015 resolutions and you’re finding that commitment starting to waver, her story might help you.
Diane Atwood, Catching Health
Turn Off the Blue Lights and Get a Good Night’s Sleep
Whether you’re on your cell phone, iPad or computer, playing video games or watching television before you go to bed, you are exposing yourself to artificial light, which suppresses the production of melatonin.
From the source
Check out this video featuring familiar local faces correcting the common mispronunciation of the Queen City. Cameos by my compatriots at the BangER Daily News.
Compiled by BDN Health Editor Jackie Farwell