Global National: Jan. 5, 2024 | Florida gets FDA approval to import cheaper drugs from Canada

A ground-breaking decision in the U.S. that could impact Canadians: Florida has become the first state to get Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval to import mass volumes of prescription drugs from wholesalers in Canada, where prices are much lower. A recent survey shows Americans who ordered their prescriptions from Canadian pharmacies saved nearly $5,000 last year. U.S. states have long fought to purchase medicines in bulk to rein in some of the highest drug prices in the world. Mackenzie Gray reports on the policy shift and the potential impact in Canada.

In an Ontario courtroom, it was a heart-wrenching day as the words of an 11-year-old boy — the sole survivor of an attack that killed three generations of his family — were heard. The boy's comments were one of roughly 70 victim impact statements at the sentencing hearing for Nathaniel Veltman, who targeted the Afzaal family with his truck in June 2021 because they were Muslim. Sean O'Shea has the details.

Meanwhile, the latest snapshot of job growth in Canada shows that hiring has stalled across the country, suggesting employers are preparing for an economic downturn. As Anne Gaviola explains, that may help solve a different issue that has long plagued Canada and intensified more recently: declining productivity.

Overseas, a Ukrainian parliamentary committee met this week to review proposed changes to military draft rules, as the country looks for more soldiers to fight against Russia's invasion. Since the start of the war almost two years ago, it's thought hundreds of foreign fighters have travelled to Ukraine to join Kyiv's push against Russia. Some of them are from Canada, including a 15-year veteran, who quit his role with the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) to join what he calls “the righteous side of this war.” Redmond Shannon has more.

In Japan, recovery crews began the grim task of removing the wreckage from Tokyo's Haneda airport runway after a deadly crash earlier this week. Five crew members onboard a coast guard plane were killed when it was hit by a commercial jet that was coming in for landing. Aviation experts say the crash could have been much worse, and as Neetu Garcha reports, it's prompting new questions about how many close calls there are on Canadian runways.

And finally, in a world where people can connect with one another in so many different ways, loneliness is a growing concern for doctors. Medical professionals say feelings of isolation can be associated with poor health, especially among seniors. Katherine Ward has more on how one hospital is trying to help those in need.

#GlobalNews

[francineshimizu]

I am so against the Americans taking pharmaceuticals from hard working Canadians. Why can't they change regulations so their people don't have to lose their house for insulin?

[frndlystrangr]

There should be a limit on those "mass volumes of prescription drugs."

[rickhuis]

Charge them triple to help bring our prices down!

[judithrochon]

I'm against sending any " help" to that backwards state.

[ThroughYeshuaislife]

Why don't they fight to have their medication costs reduced.

[adel-]

Why do we have to export drugs to the United States? The answer is no, Canada should not be doing that .

[pjimmbojimmbo]

Great, now we, in Canada share American Shortages

[theDane]

What is happening !!!???
The USA is the worst country when it comes to medecine... why would we help a country that makes medecine for profit instead of going after companies that charge almost 10 times the price of insulin . Insulin!!?? Is something that saves lives, and we shouldn’t share our health system values with them... it’s not going to fix the USA’s problem as they made that stupid choice a long time ago and have a far greater budget than we do... they should be helping and be an example for the world but choose not to !!??

[forgottenmorethanyoulleverknow]

This just there is now a medication shortage in Canada. 😂😅😂😅😂😅😂😅

[jimmyzhao]

*Canada should ramp up production of the drugs 10x.* win win for both countries.

[devinfraser]

Tell them what the Florida Surgeon General did with MRNA vaccines ….

[rockyjohnson]

Nathaniel Veltman took out the religion of peace.

[ESNDRE]

With the money you save you can send it to Ukraine yay.

[marcbr]

Meanwhile the FDA spends 1 billion per year to fund the Indian pharmaceutical system

[Lickymaballs]

if the contracts were signed and it was done right so that enough was ordered it would be fine. the problem with this is our government is not smart enough to do it right. also this could go one of two ways either the states joins us in ordering drugs or they do their own ordering from their country

[lynnewilliams]

love the write up. thank you for the recap.

[Icanlogonnow]

Mmmm drugs.

But in all seriousness:

Prepare Canada, gonna be paying more now that theres more market competition.

[justworkingfortheweekend]

The Ontario man shouldn't be going over otherwise there is a strong chance he will be number 9

[avtor]

Canada is going to have a major air disaster due to the lack of regulatory oversight and self regulation,

My God, did you forget to drink your coffee this morning and your brain was still foggy to give the name and city where the Canadian soldier was from?

Giving the name of the Province was already too much...

Putin certainly congratulates you on this information.