Viagra Medicaid Debate

Why is the US federal government forcing states to help pay for prescription drugs for erectile dysfunction through Medicaid?

In two years, the states will fork out over $60 million for Viagra and other drugs addressing erectile dysfunction.

While surely a horrible problem for those who suffer through it, erectile dysfunction is not something for which the government should be providing medication. Especially there are so many without even the most basic dental and other types of medical care.

"Providing emergency dental care to someone with an abscessed tooth should have more of a priority than Viagra," according to one House Speaker Jon Husted, a Republican from Dayton.

It's an amount that can be better utilized on something else, and the federal government should recognize that fact. Such as more affordable medical insurance or dental care for children.

By licensing online pharmacies to supply lifestyle prescription products, like Viagra, the costs can be lowered and medical funds reallocated more effectively. The person who needs Viagra will save money and avoid the embarasment of having to walking into a drug store for his medication.

The licensed online pharmacies will eliminate the blackmarket operators who will lose their demand through legitimate competion. Prohibition is an unmitigated disaster it only works for the criminal element. See arguements for and against this big debate at: http://www.drugstorebestbuys.info/psp-archive/psp-archive.htm

Jive Coming Back Online

The following is an extract of a Jive Network email arrived a few minutes ago. http://www.drugstorebestbuys.com/resources/jive-epharmacist-pillstore-cyberpills-update.htm

-----Original Message-----

From: PillAgent.com (Jive includes ePharmacist)
Sent: Saturday, 30 April 2005 2:48 AM
To: Clive Wallace

Subject: Vital Affiliate Notice from Jive Network

Dear Clive,
You may have heard the news that our offices were served with a search warrant last Tuesday, April 19th, 2005.
However, NO ARRESTS were made. No Charges were filed.
This is an obvious attempt by the DEA and FBI to try and lump us in with a group of 20 other companies/individuals that had been under investigation, and who WERE arrested around the same time.
We want to share with you that we are NOT related to nor connected with these 20 in any way.
Jive Network has ALWAYS done everything by the book and beyond. We have broken no laws.
We know that some of your orders are delayed....... because the search warrant also allowed them to seize all bank accounts..... ..... we want to assure you of this: As soon as we are able to correct it, we will.

As to the current status, late last week, we put the websites back online.
We have our internet connections and the equipment we need to start processing orders again. However, until our accounts and other matters are operational, we are not taking orders at this time.

Additionally, something is going on with our phone lines. This is likely part of this defamatory attempt on us, so we are working to uncover and resolve that problem as well.............

Lastly, to those of you that have emailed us telling us that you are with us, we want to express how sincerely all of us appreciate that support. We have read comments such as, "You guys are the best ever in the industry.........................". ................................

Please understand that the delay in sending you some kind of direct communication has been due to the circumstances of this situation,.....................

You can be sure that this situation will not stop us......................

While we are uncertain as to when we will come back online, you can be certain that when we do, our entire business will be stronger and even better than before. A team that has been through an event like this and stands firm, is a team that can accomplish anything..................

Sincerely,
Jive Network

Must an Online Pharmacy Be registered with the DEA?

The actual physical location of the pharmacy which purchases, stores and dispenses controlled substances pursuant to prescription orders processed by the Internet site must be registered with DEA. The web site itself would not require a separate registration unless it is the same physical location, since the web site does not store or dispense controlled substances. For example, some Internet pharmacies maintain a central pharmacy warehouse site and offices where prescriptions are verified and substances shipped; this location must be registered with DEA as a retail pharmacy.

Other Internet sites allow patients to pick up their prescriptions for controlled substances from a local pharmacy; these local pharmacies must be registered with DEA. In this case, the Internet "pharmacy" has no obligations under DEA regulations because the responsibility for assuring compliance with DEA regulations rests with the actual pharmacy where the controlled substances are dispensed.
http://www.drugbuyers.com/members/dispensing_controlled_subs tances/

Future of Online Pharmacies

There are many proposed rules being promoted - currently, the rights of advertisers and affiliates are being protected by the First Amendment.

Here's a link you should read.

http://www.revenuetoday.com/featurearticle_rev2.htm

The entire article is very useful. The most important part of it seems to be this quote:
“States are looking at taking action against the search engines and sites that allow (illegal) operations, but there are no guidelines for affiliates that advertise them,” said Carmen Catizone, executive director of the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy. “And I don’t see any legislation coming down the pike to regulate that advertising.”

Here's another link to a legal opinion, you've probably read it already.

http://www.webmastervault.com/tip-online-pharmacy-legal-issues.shtml
and here's the bill that was introduced in Jan this year in senate. It was discussed but has not yet passed. If this is passed it may put the legal OP business out of business. It's a long bill, search for the keywords 'Internet Pharmacy' 'Advertise' , 'Advertising' and 'Links' on this page.

http://www.govtrack.us/congress/billtext.xpd?bill=s109-184

The key paragraphs to date are these:
The First Amendment provides significant protection towards advertising as a form of commercial speech. The government’s ability to regulate advertising of online pharmacies is not coextensive with its ability to regulate the distribution of Internet-ordered prescription drugs, themselves. The prevailing test that has continuously been used by the courts to evaluate the legality of any particular advertising equation is known as the Central Hudson Test.

Under that Test, the court’s first duty is to determine whether the First Amendment applies at all. In doing so, the proper question is whether the advertisement concerns a lawful activity and is not misleading or fraudulent. That produces an interesting conundrum for the future reviewing courts, since the legality of online pharmacies in the United States is currently the subject of proposed legislation and heated controversy.

Moreover, if the online pharmacy is legal in the jurisdiction where it is licensed, that may suffice for purposes of this prong of the Central Hudson Test, although that remains undetermined.

Legal Online Pharmacies

At one time Jude LaCour, owner of Jive was leading the fight to have legal online pharmacies recognised and asked for our support. Some affiliates listened and some acted. We all know how to use BLOGS, and PR content on your site to further the cause.

For site content please use or comment on the examples in : http://www.drugstorebestbuys.info/news/affiliate-index.htm

If prohibition of alcholol was so clever in the 1920's - why isn't it still in force? Or are some US legislators condemned to repeat the same mistakes of their grandfathers?

This time around people demand affordable healthcare. It would be nice if this can be provided by businesses run by their own countrymen. AND it needs to be a significant improvement on the so called Square Trade.

We need a more concerted media approach from everyone, not just a few. All the rest is just B.S platitudes.

If ever a call to action was needed surely this is it?

Online Pharmacy Epharmacist - Jive Network

It is with regret we discovered the offices of Jive Network were closed yesterday morning, April 19th, 2005 as part of an investigation by DEA and FBI.

No charges have been laid and the owner of the online pharmacy group, Jude LaCour is not in custody and has not been charged with any offences.

To keep informed and check on alternative options for medications please follow the links
: http://www.drugstorebestbuys.com/onlinepharmacieslist.htm

The Jive Network pharmacy sites that are currently offline are epharmacist, Pillvalue, Pillstore, InstantPills, Cyberpills and PillAgents.

We will keep you posted with on-going news.