Local pharmacists have more than a spoonful of criticism for Gov. Rod Blagojevich’s proposal allowing Illinois residents to purchase prescriptions outside the United States.

“[Blagojevich] can’t guarantee the safety of his medicine,” said Tim Lehan, owner of Lehan Drugs, 1407 S. Fourth St. “It is against the law to import unless there is a special circumstance from the FDA to allow that to happen, and they haven’t given their authorization.”

Rebecca Rausch, spokeswoman for Gov. Blagojevich, said an online clearinghouse and a toll-free number providing access to imported medications should be ready in about a month.

The average consumer is expected to save between 25 and 50 percent a month, Rausch said. The clearinghouse and toll-free number will provide access to about 100 of the most common brand-name medications.

Other pharmacists don’t see the bill as necessary.

Bob Tamblyn, owner of the Medicine Shoppe, 810 S. Fourth St., said Blagojevich’s proposal will never pass.

“It’s called politics,” Tamblyn said. “Blagojevich is going to do nothing. This is PR for him.”

If the bill does pass, Lehan said he is confident it will not have an effect on his business because of the safety issue.

He predicts only 7 percent of his customers will try to buy drugs outside the United States since they are paying cash. However, he said only 1 percent of the 7 percent will actually make purchases.

“The drugs manufactured from the U.S. have certain standards to be followed, from manufacturing the drug to storage, because, just like perishable food, [medicine] must be good,” he said. “Once you go outside the U.S., there is no control, and that’s the big concern.”

Regardless of the bill, one Lehan customer said she plans to stay loyal to her local pharmacist.

Although Joan Guerrettaz of DeKalb said people should have the opportunity to import prescriptions, she would not do so. She said the only way she would consider importing is if Lehan Drugs went out of business.

Other pharmacy customers are anxious for the opportunity to save money by buying from other countries.

“I think we should be permitted to save money,” Walgreens customer Tobie Miller said. “[Older people] should be able to save money when they can.”

Among the additional concerns Lehan listed is the well-being of the nation’s medication system.

He said he is troubled by the thought of individuals who want to make a quick buck and produce drugs not recognized in the country.

“[Blagojevich] also claims that the medicines are going to be inspected like those from Illinois,” Lehan said. “If that is the case, then I have great concerns because we haven’t seen an inspector in five years.”

Lehan also has concerns about Blagojevich’s existing policies. He said he feels threatened by Blagojevich’s decision to mandate mail-order medicine. Lehan can no longer fill state employees’ prescriptions due to mail order’s lower prices.

For example, Lehan said a state employee can buy a three-month supply of a drug and only pay $10 versus the $30 a Lehan’s Drug customer would pay.

“With the swipe of a pen, he’s taking away my business,” he said.