For some myeloma patients in Canada, smuggling thalidomide ^[1] (Thalomid) from Mexico, Brazil, India, and other developing countries is the only option they have because they cannot pay the full price for the drug at home. Patients obtain thalidomide over the Internet, in person, or by sending prescriptions with relatives who are visiting the countries where it is sold for a fraction of the Canadian cost.

Purchasing full priced thalidomide at $900 per 30 tablets of 50 milligrams in Canada is illogical to some patients when they can purchase 50 tablets of 100 milligrams at only $90 in Mexico. However, these patients also take risks by breaking the law and exposing themselves to the possibility of ingesting poor quality or unsafe pills.

Experienced chemists can easily duplicate the thalidomide molecule, but small errors in the production of the drug can completely change its effectiveness and safety.

The Mexican company Laboritorios Serral produces a version of thalidomide that is confirmed as high-quality according to the self-export manager for the company, but the Canadian government has not licensed the drug and has no interest in doing so.

According to Celgene Corp., the patented manufacturer of thalidomide in Canada, the drug is expensive because of high clinical trial costs mandated by regulators in various countries, who are worried about the risks of the drug.

For more information see the article at the National Post ^[2] Web site, and talk to your doctor before considering any changes in your medication.