In an effort to keep the millions of dollars internet pharmacies pump into the provincial economy, Manitoba officials are meeting with owners, doctors and pharmacists to develop guidelines for the controversial industry.

In three years, internet pharmacies have become a billion-dollar industry in Canada, with the governments of five U.S. states urging its citizens to buy their drugs through Canadian stores. Half of that business is estimated to be in Manitoba, the industry's birthplace.

However, the fledgling industry has come under fire from health officials and regulatory bodies.

Internet pharmacy order assembly

Under federal laws, a prescription cannot be filled unless it originates in Canada. In order to fill U.S. prescriptions, internet pharmacies hire Canadian doctors to co-sign the American prescription.

Doctors and pharmacists who do this are taking heat from their regulating bodies, who say it is unethical.

The Manitoba Pharmaceutical Association has warned it will suspend the licences of pharmacists filling prescriptions for American patients without a personal consultation.

Ron Guse

"There's been ongoing concerns with filling prescriptions that weren't properly authorized," said Ron Guse, registrar of the association.

Ottawa also says it's unacceptable that Canadian doctors never see the American patient.

"That is absolutely unethical in my view on the part of the doctors here. And that has to stop," federal Health Minister Ujjal Dosanjh said late last week.

Manitoba Health Minister Tim Sale

Internet pharmacy operators warn unless the federal government changes the law to accept American prescriptions as they are, then the crackdown will mean death to the industry.

All sides at meeting

Eager to retain the millions the industry pumps into the province, the Manitoba government has called all sides to the table to discuss the issue.

Representatives from the Manitoba Pharmaceutical Association, the Manitoba Trade Department, pharmacists and internet pharmacy owners will attend Monday's meeting in Winnipeg.

"We will once again attempt to find a way to do what everybody wants: make patients safe, have employment opportunities, take advantage of the internet and make sure that all of the rules and regulations are followed," said Manitoba Health Minister Tim Sale.

Some of the pharmacy owners question why the industry's operation has become an issue after three years of existence.

They blame American pharmaceutical companies, saying they're lobbying Ottawa to shut the industry down because the Canadian pharmacies are taking their profits.

The internet pharmacy owners warn they're here to stay, saying they'll move their businesses to Europe if Canada doesn't allow them to operate.