Overseas Online Pharmacy: Prescription Drug Import
The law surrounding prescription drug importation from an Overseas online pharmacy is much the same for any entity in any foreign country. These laws and regulations are well laid out in the web document entitled
Importation of Prescription Medicines/Drugs
on the official FDA website but the following highlights a few important issues.
Many Americans know that the FDA prohibits the importation of "unapproved new drugs". What you may not know is that a FDA approved drug made in the U.S. is not the same as and the exact foreign-made replicate obtained from an Overseas online pharmacy. In fact, that drug is considered to be an "unapproved new drug" because it is deemed to have not received FDA approval to demonstrate it meets the federal requirements for safety and effectiveness.
So because of this distinction (unapproved = illegal), it is illegal to import drugs obtained from an Overseas online pharmacy. However, the FDA has been turning a blind eye of late, when the drugs are imported for personal use and the drug is:
a) for a serious condition but yet unapproved and unavailable in the U.S.;
b) not yet commercially promoted to U.S. citizens;
c) reasonable regarding its risk, and;
d) there is one more condition that we believe to be the most relevant for the largest number of people and that is:
"...the individual seeking to import the product affirms in writing that it is for the patient's own use (generally not more than a 3 month supply) and provides the name and address of the doctor licensed in the U.S. responsible for his or her treatment with the product, - OR - provides evidence that the product is for the continuation of a treatment begun in a foreign country."
This is the "loophole" through which most people import drugs from their Overseas online pharmacy. That said, it is also the means through which the FDA and Customs can seize your goods at the border. You see, on one hand they allow you to bring your prescription drugs in, while on the other hand they deem your meds to be illegal and can grab them at will. You are at their mercy.
Your best bet is to make sure you are buying from a respectable source to lessen the chance of your meds being seized. Take a look at
our pick for Overseas online pharmacy
and reduce the risk.
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