Orange County Register

Leisure World’s People for a National Health Program urges residents to boycott the products of Glaxo Smith Kline because of the drug manufacturer’s recent decision to stop providing its drugs to Canadian pharmacies.

Many Americans in search of cheaper prescription drugs have gone to Canadian pharmacies since they can obtain what they need at government-controlled lower prices.

PNHP, which is currently amassing signatures on a petition to California lawmakers urging them to lobby for a Medicare prescription drug benefit, asks residents to protest GSK’s action by finding alternatives to the manufacturer’s over-the-counter products like Beano, Citrucel, Contac, Geritol, Sominex, Sensodyne, Polident, Poligrip, Nytol, Nicoderm, Nicorette, Tegrin, Tums and

Vivarin.

Ted Rosenbaum, PNHP’s political coordinator, says his organization is not alone in its boycott and noted that the Greenlining Institute, the Senior Action Network and most recently the Congress of California Seniors is joining suit.

Besides the boycott and contacting local legislators, protesters of GSK’s action can call the manufacturer’s toll free consumer hotline, (888) 825-5249, or write company president Jean-Pierre Garnier at GSK U.S. Pharmaceuticals, Five Moore Drive, P.O. Box 13398, Research Triangle Park, NC, 27709.

For further information, call Rosenbaum, 458-6335.

Incidentally, PNHP will host Jerry Flanagan, of the Foundation for Taxpayers & Consumers Rights, at their 7:30 p.m., March 19 meeting in Clubhouse 3, Dining Room 2. The guest’s topic will be apropos to the organization’s current boycott: ”The Pharmaceutical Industry, a Political Powerhouse against full Prescription Drugs as a Medicare Benefit … Why?” All residents are welcome to attend.