Bush & Kerry Urged to Support Prescription Drug Bulk Purchasing

Santa Monica, CA — On Monday morning, Oct. 11th, the Rx Express — a chartered train taking 25 seniors and other patients to Canada to buy lower cost prescription drugs — will depart Miami for Toronto. The train will reach Toronto on Wed. the 13th, picking up passengers along the way while stopping in dozens of cities and towns along the east coast. On Thursday, October 14th riders will visit a Canadian pharmacy in Toronto, Canada and purchase prescription drugs.

Prescription drugs are available in Canada at 30-60% discounts because Canadians buy in bulk, a system that pharmaceutical companies have blocked in the U.S. During the recent West Coast Rx Express, passengers saved an average of $2000 annually off what they pay in the U.S. for the same prescription drugs. Click here to read and view photos.

Both President Bush and Democratic nominee Senator John Kerry have been invited to join the train trip to hear from Medicare enrollees and other patients about the need for a national prescription drug bulk-purchasing program. Neither candidate has pledged to enact such a program that would allow all Americans access to lower cost drugs.

The Rx Express will include 25 seniors and patients from throughout Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, New Jersey and New York.

The Foundation for Taxpayer & Consumer Rights is a nonprofit and nonpartisan consumer advocacy organization. Click here for more information.

Monday, October 11th

**Miami, Fl Train Station- 8303 NW 37th Ave. @ 6:30 a.m.
Meet on the train platform in front of the two private train cars at the end of the Silver Meteor, Amtrak #98, look for the cars with the “Rx Express” signs

**Orlando, FL Train Station- 1400 Sligh Blvd. @12:00 noon
Meet on the train platform in front of the two private train cars at the end of the Silver Meteor, Amtrak #98, look for the cars with the “Rx Express” signs

**Jacksonville, FL Train Station- 3570 Clifford Lane @ 3:50 pm
Meet on the train platform in front of the two private train cars at the end of the Silver Meteor, Amtrak #98, look for the cars with the “Rx Express” signs

**Savannah, GA Train Station- 2611 Seaboard Coastline Dr. @6:00 pm
Meet on the train platform in front of the two private train cars at the end of the Silver Meteor, Amtrak #98, look for the cars with the “Rx Express” signs

Tuesday, October 12th

**Philadelphia, PA- 30th Street Station- 2955 Market Street @7:50 am
Meet on Market Street side of the station

**New York City Train Arrival: @10:20 am
Penn Station- 34th St. Ave. & Broadway
Meet on the train platform in front of the two private train cars at the end of the Silver Meteor, Amtrak #98, look for the cars with the “Rx Express” signs

** New York City Press Conference: @ 11:30 am
Howard Johnson Hotel- 215 West 34th St. at 7th Ave.
Conference Room, 2nd floor

Wednesday, October 13

** New York City Train Departure: @ 7:15 am
Penn Station- 34th St. Ave. & Broadway
Meet on the train platform in front of the two private train cars at the end of the Silver Meteor, Amtrak #63, look for the cars with the “Rx Express” signs

** Rensselaer (Albany) Train Station- 525 East St. @ 9:45 am
Meet on the train platform in front of the two private train cars at the end of the Maple Leaf, Amtrak #63, look for the cars with the “Rx Express” signs

** Schenectady, NY Train Station- 332 Erie Blvd.- 10:23 am
Meet on the train platform in front of the two private train cars at the end of the Maple Leaf, Amtrak #63, look for the cars with the “Rx Express” signs

** Syracuse, NY Train Station- 131 P & C Parkway- 12:45 pm
Meet on the train platform in front of the two private train cars at the end of the Maple Leaf, Amtrak #63, look for the cars with the “Rx Express” signs

** Buffalo Exchange, NY Train St.- 75 Exchange St. at Washington St.- 3:09 pm
Meet on the train platform in front of the two private train cars at the end of the Maple Leaf, Amtrak #63, look for the cars with the “Rx Express” signs

** Niagara Falls Train– 27th St. & Lockport Rd.- 4:05 pm
Meet on the train platform in front of the two private train cars at the end of the Maple Leaf, Amtrak #63, look for the cars with the “Rx Express” signs

** Toronto, Canada Train Arrival- Toronto Train Station- 65 Front St. West
Meet on the train platform in front of the two private train cars at the end of the Maple Leaf, Amtrak #63, look for the cars with the “Rx Express” signs

Thursday, October 14

** Toronto, Canada- Press Conference Announcing Rx Savings @10:30 am
Meet at the Corner of College St. & Yonge St.

Check Train Status at Amtrak.com or 1 (800) USA-RAIL.