US Govt Laws/Postings on Importation of Rx Drugs

[BallFour4]

Many threads on importation of prescription drugs have been posted with comments ranging from "it's completely legal" to "I've bought this drug..."

 

Some of the drugs mentioned are on the FDA Scheduled drug list, and require a triplicate prescription for dispensing in the US. These records are subject to close inspection by the authorities. I'd not want to be in possession of a scheduled drug without a written record of it somewhere in the US.

 

The fact that one pharmacist in Belize once worked at a Wal Mart somewhere in Louisiana means little. "Owning a rope don't make 'ya a cowboy"

 

I make a living in drug pharmacology in medicine, and have looked at the labels of many drugs in port pharmacies. As a rule few are labeled according to US FDA guidelines.

 

Read the attached carefully from the US FDA website. Note the US Customs inspector has the ultimate decision about your re-entry into the United States without penalty. It's your call...

 

Here is text from the US govt. website regarding importation of Rx meds. http://www.fda.gov/ora/import/traveler_alert.htm

 

To avoid travel delays and to prevent possible harm from taking unsafe or ineffective medications, residents and visitors upon arrival to or departure from the U.S. should keep in mind the following precautions:

 

Do not assume that medications which are legal in foreign countries are also approved for use in the United States. These products may be illegal and may include addictive and dangerous substances;

 

Be aware that the labeled uses (conditions for which the product is represented to be effective) for a product purchased outside the U.S. may not be approved in the United States;

 

It can be dangerous to take some medications without medical supervision. The reason why some medications are limited to prescription use in the United States is that either they are unsafe without medical supervision or a medical diagnosis is required to ensure that the medication is appropriate for your condition;

 

Avoid purchasing any drug products that are not approved for sale in the U.S. (including foreign-manufactured versions of U.S. approved drugs). FDA cannot assure that these products conform to the manufacturing and quality assurance procedures mandated by U.S. laws and regulations and, therefore, these products may be unsafe. In addition, such products are illegal in the U.S. and, therefore, may be subject to entry refusal;

 

Some medications which may appear to be U.S. approved drug products may in fact be counterfeit versions of such products. (The term "counterfeit drug" is defined as "a drug which, or the container or labeling of which, without authorization, bears the trademark, trade name, or other identifying mark, imprint, or device, or any likeness thereof, of a drug manufacturer, processor, packer, or distributor other than the person or persons who in fact manufactured, processed, packed, or distributed such drug and which thereby falsely purports or is represented to be the product of, or to have been packed or distributed by, such other drug manufacturer, processor, packer, or distributor." See 21 U.S.C. 321(g)(2));

 

In the event you develop complications from using a medication which require medical attention, your treatment could be delayed or made more difficult unless there is sufficient information available about the product, such as the generic name of the product, dosage form and strength, and how often you need to take the product.

 

Possession of certain medications without a prescription from a physician licensed in the United States may violate Federal, State, and/or local laws;

 

It is important to have medications in the originally-dispensed container;

 

FDA's personal importation guidance provides that when bringing unapproved drugs into the U.S. for use in treating serious or life threatening illnesses, such products should be used under the care and supervision of a U.S. licensed physician. It is advisable to make available for examination by U.S. Customs Inspectors or other appropriate government authorities appropriate documentation of such monitoring;

 

It is against the law not to properly declare imported medications to U.S. Customs.

 

When the type of drug, the quantity, or the combination of various drugs arouse suspicions, U.S. Customs Inspectors will ordinarily contact the nearest FDA or DEA office for advice and will then make a final determination about whether to release or detain the article. (See 19 U.S.C. 1499).

 

Now, I'd bet if you didn't declare the drugs you bought when the federal inspectors caught you you could always mention your new cajun friend from Belize... that should keep you out of trouble...