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January 21, 2004Curious citizens visit new drug clubMany came to ask about low-cost medicinesByRecord-Eagle staff writer GAYLORD - Bernadette Prusakiewicz doesn't look like a renegade. The grandmotherly Gaylord woman with soft, short curls and seven grown children had four prescription medications spread out on a desk before her Tuesday morning. Prusakiewicz fought the cold to get to the American Drug Club in Gaylord for its grand opening. She wanted to know how much she might save if she bought her medication through Canada, a practice the U.S. Food and Drug Administration says violates federal law. "What?" she said, eyes widening, when general manager Cindi Williams quoted her a low price on one of her medications. Customers like Prusakiewicz can save between 30 and 80 percent on prescription costs by ordering drugs through Canada, Williams said. Prusakiewicz decided not to fax her prescription to a Winnipeg pharmacy that would fill and mail it to her home in two to four weeks. But she's pretty sure she'll return. "I saw this on TV and said, 'I have to go investigate,' and I told my sister-in-law," she said. The Gaylord drug club, located in an inconspicuous storefront near the hospital, isn't trying to keep a low profile. In fact, Williams fretted over the outside sign, wondering if it's big enough or vulnerable to the wind. At 10 a.m., an hour after opening, only a few people had stopped in and most were looking for Miracle Ear, which just moved out of the space. "This is a question-and-answer kind of week," Williams said. "People come in with their questions and then go back to their doctors." A dozen American Drug Clubs popped up across Michigan in recent months, with some opening to more spectacular fanfare. Joe Nguyen, who owns three clubs downstate, is in Gaylord helping Williams. More than 400 people waited in line when his Livonia storefront opened. He predicts the Gaylord business will pick up once people start talking and the weather is warmer. Happy customers such as Patricia Forster-Alderton, are already calling friends to let them know about the savings. Forster-Alderton of Lake Ann said she usually fills her prescriptions at a local drug store. She e-mailed the Gaylord store to find out how much she could save. Williams said customers are required to have a written prescription to place an order. They fill out a form, sign a statement saying they understand the drugs are coming from Canada, and then pay a pharmacy in Winnipeg directly. A Canadian pharmacist then contacts the customer to discuss the prescription. The pharmacy pays Williams a small fee for prescriptions she sends their way. Forster-Alderton found she'll save $75 on her prescription. "This is worth it," she said. "I've already called five people and told them about this." Another customer, a woman who drove over from Charlevoix, learned she'll save $1,500 every three months. "When you are a senior, you are on a small income, and every penny is helpful," she said. James Madill of Frederic is losing his prescription drug coverage. He's gone to Canada to buy allergy medicine but never prescription drugs. He said he'll be back unless he finds a place that sells his medication even cheaper than the Gaylord drug club. "This is a good thing, I think," he said.
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