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Saving big-time on prescription drugs

Tribune photo by LOIS KINDLE

Sue Romeo is the owner of Canadian Meds South in Apollo Beach, a company that can save clients from 30 to 70 percent on prescription prices.

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By LOIS KINDLE

lkindle@tampatrib.com

Published: August 26, 2009

APOLLO BEACH - While the health care debate rages on in Washington, a new South Shore business is offering its help to reduce the cost of prescription drugs.

"I can save people hundreds off the cost of a single prescription," Canadian Meds South owner Sue Romeo said. "For example, 90-day supply of Plavix, an anti-platelet agent used to prevent stroke or heart attack that has no generic available inside the United States costs $500.84. I can get that same brand-name drug for $315.40 and a generic for $121.50."

The reason?

Acting as a facilitator, Romeo sends the prescription to a fully licensed, Canadian pharmacy and has the drug mailed to the client's home.

"It's perfectly safe," she said. "What people don't know is that very few, if any, drugs are manufactured in the U.S. They come from all over the world.

"Lipitor is produced in Dublin, Ireland, so there is no difference getting it from CVS or Walgreen's or through me. It's exactly the same, name-brand drug, but it's a lot cheaper ordered from Canada.

"It's a real shame we have to pay so much in our own country," she said, shaking her head. "People shouldn't have to decide whether to eat or buy their medicine. I got into this business because I want to help people, and there is certainly a need."

Romeo said she can't compete with insurance co-pays, but her service greatly benefits people without coverage or seniors on Medicare who have reached their cap.

By law, established prescriptions cannot be transferred outside of the country, so clients must bring her an original prescription from their physician. She suggests getting a three-month-renewal prescription two to three weeks before a drug runs out, so there is no lag time due to mailing.

Business hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday, Tuesday and Friday; noon to 7 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday; and 8 a.m. to noon Saturday.

Canadian Meds South, which opened Aug. 15, is an affiliate partner of Canadian Meds in Inverness. For information, call (813) 413-7912 or stop by 200 Franderson Circle, Suite 102, in the complex behind the Radiant station on U.S. 41 at Apollo Beach Boulevard.

Lois Kindle can be reached at (813) 627-4760.

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