![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
[email protected]Shown: posts 1 to 16 of 16. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by PhoenixGirl on March 19, 2002, at 15:38:08
I've heard it's legal to import a 3 month supply of a prescription medication. Then I read a post on this site saying that Dr. Bob will block thread that might "lead to illegal activity", referring to ordering meds without a prescription. I'm sure I read the law and it said a 3 month supply was legal. What is going on, is it legal or not???
Posted by Mark H. on March 19, 2002, at 15:57:34
In reply to Is ordering meds from overseas legal or not???????, posted by PhoenixGirl on March 19, 2002, at 15:38:08
Hi PhoenixGirl!
Please read the following:
http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/faq.html#illegal
Many thanks,
Mark H.
Posted by Janelle on March 19, 2002, at 17:02:48
In reply to Re: Is ordering meds from overseas legal or not??????? » PhoenixGirl, posted by Mark H. on March 19, 2002, at 15:57:34
I clicked on the link you provided but couldn't find anything answering the question about whether ordering meds from overseas is illegal or not? HELP!
Posted by Mark H. on March 19, 2002, at 17:45:50
In reply to MarkH: Can't find info at the link for this quest. » Mark H., posted by Janelle on March 19, 2002, at 17:02:48
Hi Janelle,
I'll cut-and-paste the information below in this message, but the links to other sites will not be active. Try the link in my previous post again a little later -- it still goes directly there for me (at least at this hour). Then you'll be able to use the hot-links to the cited US Customs and FDA sites.
Thanks for letting me know,
Mark H.
From the Psycho-Babble FAQ page:
"How can I get medication without a prescription?
Please don't use this site to exchange information on how to import into the US:
prescription medication without a prescription
or
medication that hasn't been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration.Both activities appear to be illegal. It's fine to discuss here the pros and cons of the medications, just not how to obtain them in those ways. In fact, this site should not be used to facilitate any illegal activities.
Importing Prescription Medicine
US Customs Service [LINK]The importer must... declare to Customs that the medicine is for personal use and show a valid prescription... Federal law prohibits importing drugs not approved by the FDA... Customs officers may seize and destroy all non-approved drugs.
Importation of Prescription Medicines/Drugs
US Food and Drug Administration [LINK]Buying Medicines and Medical Products Online
US Food and Drug Administration [LINK]Please also do not ask for medication directly from or offer medication directly to others here."
Posted by Jackd on March 19, 2002, at 18:03:17
In reply to Is ordering meds from overseas legal or not???????, posted by PhoenixGirl on March 19, 2002, at 15:38:08
Hey Phoenixgirl, long time since I've spoken to you. How you been?
Posted by kiddo on March 19, 2002, at 18:45:53
In reply to Is ordering meds from overseas legal or not???????, posted by PhoenixGirl on March 19, 2002, at 15:38:08
There are reputable places that fill prescription medications via Internet. It also depends on what you mean by 'import'. Are you talking about ordering outside the US and having them delivered, or going outside the US and bringing them back?
I'm assuming that you mean ordering....
1.) Make sure you use a legal/reputable pharmacy. This site will tell you if it's a licensed pharmacy. http://www.nabp.net.
2.) You must have a prescription from a physician licensed in the US.
3.) The medication must be approved by the FDA for it's specific use in the United States. (Foreign made versions of USFDA approved medications are not legal)
4.) Foreign websites are generally illegal, and the FDA suggests that you not order from them.
I got this information from here:
http://www.fda.gov/oc/buyonline/ (in the FAQ)
Also:
http://www.fda.gov/ora/import/pipinfo.htm (importation website)
Again, foreign equivalents to US approved medications are illegal (Mexico, Canada etc)
State regulations vary
Hope that helps-Kiddo
Posted by fachad on March 19, 2002, at 19:26:52
In reply to Is ordering meds from overseas legal or not???????, posted by PhoenixGirl on March 19, 2002, at 15:38:08
First things first. I am not an attorney. I am not technically qualified to interpret or comment on the law. This is not for sure. It's just what I, a lowly peon think. And further, I am not qualified to give legal advice. Nothing of the aforementioned, or after mentioned, hereinafter referred to as "legal babble" should be construed as valid legal advice bla bla bla.
But I've looked into it a bit, so here's what I think:
Yes, it is legal for you to import 3 months worth if two conditions are met:
First, you MUST have a valid prescription from a US doctor.
Second, the medication you are importing MUST NOT be a controlled substance.
Even if the drug is not FDA approved, it's still legal for you to bring in from overseas if you can get a U.S. M.D. to write a script for it.
That "NOT a Controlled Substance" stipulation is a big one.
If you attempt to import some allergy tablets or blood pressure meds, US Customs may ask you for a copy of the prescription and seize and destroy the package if you cannot produce it. You may just lose your package; you may be subject to fines, whatever.
But if you attempt to import a controlled substance, you will not have the pleasure of talking to the friendly folks at US Customs. No, you will be taking to the US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), and your activity will be prosecuted as a criminal offence. Very BAD idea.
So, if you REALLY think that some med that is not available in the US is the Stone of the Philosophers, the Elixir Vital, The Medicine of Metals, and that it and only it will bring you True Wisdom and Perfect Happiness, then the prudent course of action would be to ask your pdoc to write a script for you, and he may have to fill out a form, and then fax the script and paperwork along with your order so the overseas vendor can include a copy of the script with the packing list. That will ensure that Customs or the DEA will not give you any trouble, and your order will arrive safe and sound.
Any other way of doing it is putting yourself at great risk of loss and legal peril.
> I've heard it's legal to import a 3 month supply of a prescription medication. Then I read a post on this site saying that Dr. Bob will block thread that might "lead to illegal activity", referring to ordering meds without a prescription. I'm sure I read the law and it said a 3 month supply was legal. What is going on, is it legal or not???
Posted by IsoM on March 19, 2002, at 19:35:39
In reply to ANSWER: Legality of Importing Meds from Overseas » PhoenixGirl, posted by fachad on March 19, 2002, at 19:26:52
So that's why I've seen on certain sites that offer meds & supplements on-line the offer to send the package so it can't be traced, etc. I wondered about that. Seems like they're trying to get around the importation laws in the States.
Living in Canada, I've ordered different products from time to time from the States - books, a quilt, makeup & everything had to go through customs before it came to me. But when I ordered something from a British company, it came directly in the mail - no trip to customs. Perhaps because Canada is part of the Commonwealth.
Would that mean if an American ordered anything from a US territory - Virgin Islands, etc, that it would come directly to them through the mail without going through customs?
Posted by kiddo on March 19, 2002, at 20:17:54
In reply to ANSWER: Legality of Importing Meds from Overseas » PhoenixGirl, posted by fachad on March 19, 2002, at 19:26:52
http://www.fda.gov/ora/import/ora_import_system.htmlFDA's IMPORT PROGRAM / GENERAL PROCEDURES (1st Paragraph)
To ensure that FDA is notified of all regulated products imported into the United States, the importer, or his/her representative, must file an entry notice and an entry bond with the U.S. Customs Service (Customs) pending a decision regarding the admissibility of the product. FDA inspection and enforcement procedures for imports rely on coordination with Customs with whom FDA has an excellent working relationship. For specific information on U.S. Customs procedures, requirements, forms, etc., contact your local Customs office.FDA is notified by Customs of the entry and makes a decision as to the article's admissibility. If FDA does not wish to examine the entry, the product is allowed to proceed into United States commerce.
(3rd paragraph under "Additional Forms")
Although it is not a requirement for foreign drug firms to register their establishments, their products must be listed with the FDA. Forms required to obtain a labeler code (FD 2656) and drug list their product (FD 2657) should be requested from the Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, Product Information Management Branch (HFD-058), 5600 Fishers Lane, Rockville, MD 20857.
Drugs are restricted from importation unless they are covered under an Investigational New Drug Exemption (IND) or by an approved New Drug Application (NDA). Information on regulations covering INDs or NDAs and application forms should be requested from CDER Executive Secretariat (HFD-8), Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, 5600 Fishers Lane, Rockville, MD 20857.
There are several forms that are required to be filed with FDA prior to the importation of medical devices into the United States.
A premarket notification or 510(k) submission is required when the following occurs: (a) a foreign manufacturer intends to export a medical device to the U.S. that the firm has never before shipped to the U.S.; (b) either the foreign manufacturer or initial distributor changes the intended uses of devices that are legally being marketed in the U.S.; or (c) changes or modifications to a legally marketed device that could significantly affect its safety or effectiveness. Detailed information regarding the premarket notification process can be obtained from the following documents: Premarket Notification: 510(k), Regulatory Requirements for Marketing a Device, and 510(k) Review Program.
Firms are required to submit a properly completed form FDA 2892 (Medical Device Listing) before their medical device can be imported into the United States. Although, it is not a requirement for foreign medical device firms to register their establishments, it is requested that they do so. This can be done by submitting a properly completed form FDA 2891 (Initial Registration of Medical Device Establishment). Form FDA 2877 (Declaration for Radiation Standard) is required for radiation-emitting electronic products entering the United States.
To obtain these above forms, or information concerning premarket notification, radiation control standards, or Drug and Device Listing and Establishment Registration contact the Center for Devices and Radiological Health, Division of Small Manufacturers, International and Consumer Assistance (DSMICA), (HFZ-220), 1350 Piccard Drive, Rockville, MD 20850-4307, (800) 638-2041).
Posted by fachad on March 19, 2002, at 20:39:30
In reply to Re: ANSWER: Legality of Importing Meds from Overseas » fachad, posted by IsoM on March 19, 2002, at 19:35:39
Iso wrote:
> Would that mean if an American ordered anything from a US territory - Virgin Islands, etc, that it would come directly to them through the mail without going through customs?
fachad replies:
(insert standard legal disclaimer here)
Yes, but anything shipped from within a US territory would be governed by US laws BEFORE it was shipped. You may not have to deal with customs, but you'd have to show the RX before THEY could legally package and ship it to you, because you cannot ship RX req'd stuff from the US without the RX.
So you don't really get anywhere.
> So that's why I've seen on certain sites that offer meds & supplements on-line the offer to send the package so it can't be traced, etc. I wondered about that. Seems like they're trying to get around the importation laws in the States.
>
> Living in Canada, I've ordered different products from time to time from the States - books, a quilt, makeup & everything had to go through customs before it came to me. But when I ordered something from a British company, it came directly in the mail - no trip to customs. Perhaps because Canada is part of the Commonwealth.
>
> Would that mean if an American ordered anything from a US territory - Virgin Islands, etc, that it would come directly to them through the mail without going through customs?
Posted by Mitchell on March 19, 2002, at 20:56:02
In reply to Re: ANSWER: Legality of Importing Meds from Overseas » IsoM, posted by fachad on March 19, 2002, at 20:39:30
http://www.fda.gov/ora/import/traveler_alert.htm
"It is against the law not to properly declare imported medications to U.S. Customs."
Posted by 3 Beer Effect on March 20, 2002, at 3:17:53
In reply to Is ordering meds from overseas legal or not???????, posted by PhoenixGirl on March 19, 2002, at 15:38:08
"A new bill was recently passed by Congress that amends a portion of the Controlled Substances Act (21USC956(a)). This amendment allows a United States resident to import up to 50 dosage units of a controlled medication without a valid prescription at an international land border. These medications must be declared upon arrival, be for your own personal use and in their original container. However, travelers should be aware that drug products which are not approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration may not be acceptable for such importation. FDA warns that such drugs are often of unknown quality and discourages buying drugs sold in foreign countries."
"Possession of certain medications without a prescription from a physician licensed in the United States may violate Federal, State, and/or local laws."(Oddly enough, you can legally import 50 units of even schedule II drugs without a valid prescription, but once you are on state soil, you could be arrested for possession of a controlled medication w/o a prescription by the state or local police. At the US Border Patrol checkpoints which are generally 50 miles inland, the agents can search your vehicle with your consent & confiscate your medications if you don't have a prescription but only the state or local police can arrest you- The bp agents can call them & easily make this happen if they want to bother with it or if you make them angry by lying to them etc. If you have any illegal drugs in the vehicle such as marijuana the border patrol can make an arrest & will impound your vehicle.
"lt is important to have medications in the originally-dispensed container";
"It is against the law not to properly declare imported medications to U.S. Customs".MAIL ORDER IMPORTATION LAW (Controlled by the FDA): "The entry of prescription medicines is restricted and subject to the approval of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Depending on the FDA review of the medicine, it may be released to the addressee or seized."
I couldn't find the info on mail order yet, but I know that controlled prescription drugs (Schedule II thru Schedule IV) available in the US are not allowed to be imported. In other words benzos could be seized but non-controlled substances like Zoloft would not. Many slip thru however since they can only inspect about 10% of all packages.
International pharmacies say that you can import 3 months worth of meds for personal use- you can probably do this with Adrafinil which they mark as a "supplement" on the box. But any controlled substance is a definite no-no with the FDA, regardless of what an international pharmacy says on its website. Theoretically, Modafinil or Alertec, the foreign versions of Provigil could be seized also if the inspector recognized the name as a foreign version of Provigil (schedule IV). Rivotril, the foreign name of Klonopin would definitely be seized- all the benzos/pain killers & their foreign names are familiar to FDA/Customs inspectors.
Posted by Kat26 on March 20, 2002, at 12:48:26
In reply to Re: ANSWER: Legality of Importing Meds from Overseas » fachad, posted by IsoM on March 19, 2002, at 19:35:39
I live in the US (as a student) but was born in Switzerland, where I still have a p'doc that knows me. Since my insurance still goes through my parents over there and I am short on money right now (and if I gets meds in the US I have to pay in advance), my Doc over there sent a prescription (for Prozac, or "Fluctine" as it is called there) to my Mom, she picked it up at the pharmacy, and sent it to me by mail. Before we did that, I called somebody at the customs department, and was told it is important that the prescription is also sent in the package.
It was no problem, arrived... I think the 3 months rule is correct, I have read that in several places.Kat26
Posted by Mark H. on March 20, 2002, at 19:06:55
In reply to My Experiences with buying Viagra, posted by fear_fighter on March 20, 2002, at 18:30:46
MARK H. FILLING IN FOR DR. BOB HERE:
Please read the policy that governs this discussion at the link below:
http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/faq.html#illegal
In brief, it is OK to discuss the meds themselves; it is *not* OK to discuss how to get them without a prescription.
Many thanks,
Mark H.
Posted by PhoenixGirl on March 27, 2002, at 14:28:02
In reply to Re: Is ordering meds from overseas legal or not???????, posted by Jackd on March 19, 2002, at 18:03:17
Hi there. Well my moods are going up and down in the past few months. I'm still getting the ECT once every 2 weeks, but I'm still depressed, it's just not as intense as without ECT. I'm kind of disappointed with the ECT because its effects don't last for me, and they're going to be spreading the treatments further apart, so my bad moods are likely to intensify unfortunately. But, I'm trying to make positive changes in my life, I'm exercising and trying to talk to people more. My biggest problem is still that I'm very lonely. Anyway, that's the gist of what's going on with me.
Posted by Jackd on April 1, 2002, at 13:38:47
In reply to Jackd, posted by PhoenixGirl on March 27, 2002, at 14:28:02
Well, I guess all I can say is best of luck to you. Keep being strong and don't isolate yourself. If you want to write me my new email is [email protected].
This is the end of the thread.
Psycho-Babble Medication | Extras | FAQ
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
[email protected]
Script revised: February 4, 2008
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/cgi-bin/pb/mget.pl
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