Table of Contents
I. Why Order Medication from a Canadian Pharmacy?
II. Can a U.S. Prescription Be Filled in Canada?
III. Steps for Ordering Your Next Prescription from My Drug Center
IV. Order Your Next Prescription from My Drug Center
Can a U.S. prescription be filled in Canada?
It’s a question many customers are wondering about as the high drug prices in the United States are becoming more daunting to navigate. And with no sign of U.S. drug prices dropping in the near future, many American residents are turning to Canadian pharmacies for a more affordable alternative.
In this article, we’ll cover the ins and outs of ordering your U.S. prescription from Canada so you can save on your medication costs without ever sacrificing quality, safety, or convenience.
Quick Takeaways:
- In the U.S., medications cost 200-300% more than they do in other countries, including Canada.
- It is safe and legal to order medication from Canada when it is FDA-approved, the customer has a valid prescription from a U.S. provider, and the order is in compliance with state laws.
- Not all pharmacies are created equal. It’s important to vet Canadian pharmacies and choose one with a solid reputation.
Why Order Medication from a Canadian Pharmacy?
Patients in the United States are ordering medicine from Canada at an increasingly high rate—and for good reason. Drug prices are more expensive in the U.S. than any other place in the world by more than 200-300%. [1]
The problem isn’t going away any time soon. Government regulation of drug prices in the U.S. remains lax. Market exclusivity and drug patent extension policies, coupled with a complex healthcare landscape in the United States, mean drug pricing structures benefit pharmaceutical companies, not consumers.
The result? Patients are spreading out or completely skipping their medication schedules at an alarming rate—more than a third (37%) of Americans say that they’ve done so due to financial constraints in paying for their prescriptions. [2]
For many patients dealing with this predicament and considering Canadian pharmacies as an alternative, the main question is: How can a U.S. prescription be filled in Canada? Where do I start?
In the next section, we’ll dive into these details.
Can a U.S. Prescription Be Filled in Canada?
The short answer is yes. U.S. prescriptions can be filled in Canada—safely, legally, affordably, and even conveniently with home delivery. President Biden even released an executive order in 2021 asking states to help facilitate the process to increase U.S. residents’ access to affordable medications. [3]
There are, however, important safety guidelines and legal requirements to keep in mind:
- FDA Approval: All drugs ordered from Canada must be safety-approved by the FDA. The only exception is in situations where serious conditions warrant experimental or not-yet-approved treatments, and these must be formally approved on a case-by-case basis.
- Valid Prescription: U.S. residents must have a valid prescription from a U.S. licensed healthcare provider in order to purchase medication from a Canadian pharmacy.
- State Law Compliance: In some states, additional state-level laws may apply to the drug ordering process. It’s important to check with your state’s Board of Pharmacy to stay compliant.
- Canadian Pharmacy Reputation: Not all pharmacies are created equal. It’s important to find a pharmacy certified by the Canadian International Pharmacy Association (CIPA), which oversees Canadian online pharmacies. [4]
Next, let’s walk through the step-by-step process for ordering a prescription from a Canadian pharmacy like My Drug Center.
Steps for Ordering Your Next Prescription from My Drug Center
1. Find a Reliable Canadian Pharmacy
As a first step, it’s important to find a Canadian pharmacy with a solid reputation that you can trust. As we’ve already covered, CIPA certifies reputable Canadian pharmacies, and you can find their logo (shown below) on certified pharmacies’ websites.
Other signs a pharmacy is trustworthy include:
- Clearly displayed contact information
- Customer service availability
- Pharmacists on staff to answer medication-related questions
- Secure, encrypted transaction guarantee
- Requirement to receive a prescription before fulfilling order
2. Confirm They Supply Your Medication
Before you make your final pharmacy selection, confirm that they supply the medication you need. Be sure to also check that they supply it in your needed dosage and quantity, as this can vary.
3. Contact the Pharmacy to Go Over the Process and Ask Questions
It’s a good idea—especially before making your first order—to talk to the pharmacy’s customer service team to confirm their ordering process and the necessary information they need from you, as well as to get your questions answered prior to completing your order.
4. Complete the Ordering Process
Next, follow the directions on the pharmacy website to complete your order. At My Drug Center, for example, customers must create an online account (it only takes a few minutes) and mail in a copy of their prescription before their order is fulfilled.
Most reputable pharmacies have clear ordering instructions on their website to make the process easy (My Drug Center’s are shown below).
5. Provide Your Prescription
This critical step ensures your order is completed and your medication arrives on time. It’s an important step to remember because, in many cases, you can complete the online ordering process before mailing in your actual prescription. But forgetting to send your prescription after can put your order on hold.
Confirm how your pharmacy prefers to receive your prescription—for example, by post, email, or fax—and follow those instructions.
6. Wait for Your Order to Arrive
Once your order is complete and you’ve sent your prescription in, all you have to do is wait for your order to arrive at your home. Keep in mind that when you order Canadian medications to the U.S., they usually take 2-3 weeks to arrive. This is because they are sent through customers on their journey.
Knowing this timeline ahead of time is essential to ensure you receive your medication at the time you need to take it, and for managing the timing of refill orders.
Order Your Next Prescription from My Drug Center
My Drug Center is a Canadian pharmacy helping thousands of customers in the U.S. and around the world save up to 80% on their prescriptions. We offer the lowest possible prices, secure SSL encryption, and a 100% satisfaction guarantee so you can order with confidence.
Visit our website or contact our customer service team to begin your first order.
The information in the article is not meant to be used for treatment or diagnosis. It is designed for general awareness and for information purposes only. Always consult a medical professional for your specific healthcare needs.
Importing Prescription Drugs for Personal Use: All You Need to Know