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Canadian pharmacy importing to U.S... Illegal?

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Posted 11/13/2014 4:50 AM (GMT 0)
I've been using my imported generic mesalamine for a year, it's going very well.
Called doc to get a new Rx for this year and he writes it for me but says it's illegal to import and if I want to do that it's up to me to deal with them.

Ummm, what?

What's the story here, anyone know? I've done some reading tonight and I'm wondering if you guys know something I dont, or do you actually get permission from the fda to import for personal use?

This is added stress I *really* don't need right now.
Posted 11/13/2014 7:00 AM (GMT 0)
It is technically illegal but the government has a look the other way policy.
Posted 11/13/2014 10:00 AM (GMT 0)
I doubt, its illegal. If it were, they would not have shipped you.
That being said, one of my physician gets her meds from Canada.
Posted 11/13/2014 11:39 AM (GMT 0)
so you're saying your doc has been ordering them for you in the past, but now he won't ?

if you do have to go to jail for this, you'll have LOTS of company ! i would guess the number of us citizens buying meds from Canada would be in the thousands -
Posted 11/13/2014 2:20 PM (GMT 0)
It's illegal, but the government only gives enforcement lip service. They will once in a while fine a mass importer if they find one, but I've never heard of them going after a private citizen. Unless you plan on running for national political office in the future, you're probably okay.

I do know DEA recently has been going after FedEx because they were transporting large amounts of imported drugs, much of which turned out to be controlled drugs. Some doctors may have also been caught up in this and so they're all being more cautious.
Posted 11/13/2014 3:32 PM (GMT 0)
I always thought it was ok to get three months of medications but more than that was an issue. Of course I usually order more :) I don't understand why anyone cares what I order from where... Probably just want to make me pay retail prices here.
Posted 11/13/2014 6:06 PM (GMT 0)
Yes, my doc faxed the Rx last year (my first time ordering out of country) and now he won't.

I generally order more than 3 months so I can save on shipping, but maybe I'll keep my order closer to 3m now.

From what I understand they don't want it imported unless it was manufactured in the U.S., approved by the FDA, exported, and then imported by the company who manufactured it. Sounds like that's really going to save the consumer money.

Thanks for weighing in, folks.
Posted 11/13/2014 9:02 PM (GMT 0)
They look the other way for mailing or carrying a 90 day supply from Canada. If your doctor is being a jerk and won't fax the RX, then you have to mail and original copy of the prescription. Canadian pharmacies will not ship more than 90 days worth at a time. The one I used auto shipped every 90 days when I sent a 12 month RX.

They don't care where the drug was made but controlled substances are not shipped by mail by Canadian pharmacies. The US drug and pharmacy lobby wants badly to stop all shipping of drugs because the drugs being shipped cost more here. They got the government to start enforcing it again about 10 years ago(?) but AARP and other groups got a reversal.
Posted 11/15/2014 2:45 AM (GMT 0)
It is illegal but the chances of having an issue are slim to none. I have ordered drugs from Canada in the past an have not had an issue. Now if you are trying to get the "good stuff" like HGH or Anabolic Steroids that maybe a different story.
Posted 11/15/2014 1:00 PM (GMT 0)
Every shipment coming across the border has to be declared to Customs, so if the FDA wanted to stop imports, they could -- but they don't. As long as you are not trying to import narcotics or import massive quantities for potential resale, you will be fine.
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