Did you know that the U.S. imported $128.24 billion worth of pharmaceutical products in 2019? There are a lot of questions people have surrounding their medicine, and sometimes getting the medication is half the battle.
The U.S. imports medication from various countries across the world. Keep reading and we will walk you through if you can import prescription medication from Canada and the legal information and logistics.
Can I Import Prescription Medication From Canada to the U.S.?
In most situations, it’s illegal for someone to import drugs into the U.S. This is because drugs in other countries may be approved there, but not in the U.S.
For example, a drug could be approved by Health Canada (similar to the FDA in America), but it hasn’t yet been approved by the FDA. That would make the drug illegal to import because the FDA can’t ensure it’s safe or effective if it’s not approved.
The FDA does have a policy that outlines how you can personally import drugs that the FDA hasn’t approved under specific circumstances.
Flexible Circumstances
- The drug will be used for a serious illness where there isn’t effective treatment in the U.S.
- There are no marketing promotions for the drug to American residents
- The drug doesn’t represent high risks
- You would need to provide in writing that the drug is for your own, personal use, give the contact information for your doctor that explains why this is necessary for treatment or shows that you started treatment in another country and need it here now
- Lastly, you usually can’t get more than 3 months worth of the drug imported
These circumstances are flexible and dependent on what treatment you need. You should consult your doctor and get as much information as you can before presenting your case to import drugs from Canada.
Potential Consequences of Importing Prescription Meds
People do import drugs from other countries, you just need to be weary of potential consequences if you don’t get approval before you do it. Remember that it is illegal to import drugs for personal use from a Canadian pharmacy and you need to be careful and follow instructions if you plan to do this.
A possible consequence, if you are charged with importing illegal prescription drugs or supplements, is 5 years in federal prison. This is all dependent on the drug and what happens when you import it, but if you violate the Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act you could face fines or jail-time.
Drug Prices
A strong appeal for people to import drugs is that they are cheaper in other countries than in America. They are cheaper in some cases because they’re not legal in America.
If you have the go-ahead to get prescription drugs from Canada, you should check out if you can get a discount. Check out this website to find a coupon.
Do Your Research
If you plan to import prescription medication from Canada, make sure you have all the information you need and are following the law.
There are flexible circumstances that allow you to import prescription medicine, make sure you fall under one of them so you don’t face consequences.
Reach out to your doctor today or keep reading about the latest in phones and gadgets here.
