Forum Discussion

MamaGoose's avatar
MamaGoose
Explorer
Dec 12, 2014

To Canadian Snowbirds: Prescription medications

I was wondering what you all do about prescription medications. When we crossed the border, for the first time we were asked about prescription meds. This is the first year I've had anything of note, and we were told we were only allowed to bring a 90 day supply. We're in the U.S. for 5 months. The border patrol agent said that this has always been the rule, it's an FDA thing, and it just hasn't been strictly enforced, but now it would be. I think he saw the look on my face (I was nearly in tears at this point, I simply could NOT believe this was happening) and said he would let it go this time, but we should be aware of this rule. We don't dare come across again with all the meds we need lest we end up getting barred from the country for good.

Would your pharmacies courier refills? (We're not sure yet if ours will.) Or does one member of your party take a quick flight home every 90 days to fill a prescription? Vancouver and Calgary airports have pharmacies. Or do you find a doctor in the U.S. (Keep in mind meds can be a LOT more expensive in the U.S. A medication I am on costs nearly 10x as much in the U.S. as it does in Canada. Flying back would be cheaper, even if I didn't have points to pay the air fare.)
  • pianotuna wrote:
    Hi,

    Mail the drugs to a friend in USA.


    That could have nasty legal consequences for your (former) US friend.
  • MamaGoose wrote:
    Yes, it's next year I'm wondering about, mainly. We had 5 months worth for the winter at the time we crossed the border. Both of the meds I am on cost a lot more in the U.S. than they do in Canada, it just makes no sense at all to purchase refills here. One is triple the cost here, the other close to 10x the price.

    This year, we had an unanticipated change so I am going to need a refill on one of my meds, which I wasn't counting on. I had more than twice the supply I needed had things stayed the same for me. But we'll sort that out.


    I'm in the US. My doctor writes a 6-month prescription, & I fax it to a company in Canada. It is shipped to my home address here.

    This is all done without any help from my insurance & is cheaper than using my insurance. I've been doing it for 7 years.
  • Yes, it's next year I'm wondering about, mainly. We had 5 months worth for the winter at the time we crossed the border. Both of the meds I am on cost a lot more in the U.S. than they do in Canada, it just makes no sense at all to purchase refills here. One is triple the cost here, the other close to 10x the price.

    This year, we had an unanticipated change so I am going to need a refill on one of my meds, which I wasn't counting on. I had more than twice the supply I needed had things stayed the same for me. But we'll sort that out.
  • Community Alumni's avatar
    Community Alumni
    I often travel with 3-5 months of meds and it has never been an issue provided they are in their original containers and have a valid prescription.
  • How many days supply did you cross with ?

    I'm assuming for this trip your needs are met, but the future is what you're concerned with, correct ?
  • We crossed in late October at Coutts Ab. and no one ever asked us about meds they only asked us if we had more than $10,000 with us and wished us a safe trip.
  • It's probably more like a DEA thing. Gotta love the US drug laws, and how they punish the innocent.
  • Are you near Mexico, Most are available at a very reasonable cost.