Still working on this, it's a frustrating issue. Everyone I speak to in person is genuinely surprised and baffled that I have run into this situation. But, fellow snowbirders, be warned. The "rule of thumb" as posted on the US border patrol website is, indeed, 90 days. Most border patrol agents obviously aren't enforcing it, I just had the misfortune to run into a couple of fellows who decided to do so. And I have spoken to about 8 different pharmacies in Canada as of now who either haven't run into this situation before, EVER, they just fill a 6 month supply for snowbirds and it's fine...or one pharmacy said they have shipped refills, but things have now changed, it is a lot more complicated (involving a detailed form to be filled out), and they have run into situations where medication is seized by customs and not returned or shipped. This pharmacy did not seem to want to deal with the hassle involved.
I have reached out to border patrol services directly myself. I have also contacted the Canadian Snowbirds Association. They can proactively lobby appropriate government agencies about this, as this is going to affect hundreds of thousands of visitors. It might end up being enough to deter travel or at least change plans.
So far, it is looking like I will be going with a Canadian online pharmacy that fills prescriptions for people in the U.S. More expensive and a hassle, but probably the least problematic route.
@Bumpyroad, I know what you mean about some of the online pharmacy sites--some of them appear to be just a broker, and the products themselves could actually end up coming from locations other than Canada. One needs to do one's homework. I found ONE, out of a long list, that I felt confident with and they would actually send the generic brand I am using, manufactured in Canada. I sent them an email, and a representative phoned me back. They
operate like a bricks and mortar pharmacy, in that I can transfer my prescription to them and when I get back, the prescription can be transferred FROM them back to a regular pharmacy. They're fussy about payment methods because they've had issues in the past, but other than that, I think they know how to get the product to me properly.
