Mythbusting Canadian Healthcare, Part II: Debunking the Free Marketeers

By Sara Robinson
February 11th, 2008 - 5:55pm ET
In the previous post, I looked at ten of the most common myths that get bandied about whenever Americans drag Canada into their ongoing discussions about healthcare. In this follow-up, I'd like to address a few of the larger assumptions that Americans make about health care that are contradicted by the Canadian example; and in the process offer some more general thinking (and perhaps talking) points that may be useful in the debates ahead.

FDA Faults Drug Plants

By MICHAEL MELIA
Associated Press Writer

Ask AP: Jobless Rates and Gas Coupons
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) -- The first warning sign came when a sharp-eyed worker sorting pills noticed that the odd blue flecks dotting the finished drug capsules matched the paint on the factory doors.

After the flecks were spotted again on the capsules, a blood-pressure medication called Diltiazem, the plant began placing covers over drugs in carts in its manufacturing areas.

But the factory owner, Canadian drug maker Biovail Corp., never tried to find out whether past shipments of the drug were contaminated - or prevent future contamination, according to U.S. regulators.