Can an American visitor in Canada get critical medications sent from home?

Question

My dad is visiting Toronto from the US and unfortunately during his trip last week he fell and fractured his hip. He had a kidney transplant 3 years ago so he takes anti-rejection meds for it. He has enough for 2 more weeks (which is when he originally was supposed to return), but due to rehab, he will have to extend his stay. His medicine refill was ready yesterday and is here in the US.

I don't think his doc will prescribe it to him again for a doc in Canada because it's an expensive medicine and not available everywhere, and he's also not covered in Canada for meds. I called FedEx International and the CSR said no, but didn't sound like she knew too much.

Am I allowed to send this via FedEx or is there any other way I can get it to him?

Answer 1

It seems to be legal to send medication to visitors in Canada, under the circumstances you specified, but I'm currently unsure which company will actually do so. If all else fails, I suggest contacting the US embassy in Canada for specific recommendations.

Visitors to Canada: Visitors to Canada may bring into Canada, on their person a single course of treatment or a 90-day supply based on the directions for use, whichever is less, of a prescription drug.

The drug must be for the individual's own personal use, for the use of a person for whom they are responsible and with whom they are travelling.

The drug must be shipped/carried in one of the following: Hospital or pharmacy dispensed packaging; Original retail packaging; or have the original label affixed to it which clearly indicates what the health product is and what it contains. A Visitor may import an additional single unit, single course of treatment or a 90-day supply based on the directions for use, whichever is less, of a prescription drug. When a prescription drug is mailed to a Visitor, the drug should be accompanied by some form of documentation indicating that the drug is destined to a Visitor and/or the Visitor should be prepared to provide documentation/written evidence (stamped passport, student/work visa, letter from an employer/university etc) that they are a Visitor to Canada when requested.

https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/drugs-health-products/compliance-enforcement/importation-exportation/guidance-document-import-requirements-health-products-under-food-drugs-act-regulations-0084.html#a6

.

Tourist Importing Prescribed Medication to Canada

Visitors to Canada may import into Canada, a single course of treatment or up to 90 days’ supply based on the directions for use. The doctor’s prescription must be attached to the package. If you intend to import to Canada prescribed medicine, please note:

1. [...]

2. [...]

3. [...]

4. Receiving prescribed medication in the mail When the medication has arrived and cleared by customs, you will receive a written notification at the address indicated on the package. The carrier notification will inform you where you should go to receive your mail. To pick up your mail, present valid identification to prove that you are a tourist, such as a passport stamp, Canadian tourist/student visa, letter from Canadian school /or employer.

https://www.actoronto.org/health-information/gay-men/traveling-with-prescribed-medication.pdf

.

Health Canada prohibits the importation of prescription drugs by courier when imported by Canadian residents for personal use.

The importation of prescription drugs for human use is strictly regulated and is only permitted by certain entities. Under Section C.01.045 of the Food and Drug Regulations, the importation of Schedule F (prescription) drugs is restricted to a drug manufacturer, a registered pharmacist, a wholesale druggist, a practitioner or a resident of a foreign country while a visitor in Canada.

Please note that specific criteria must be met for visitors importing prescription drugs. Also, at Health Canada's discretion, exceptions may be made for Canadian residents returning from abroad who are on a course of treatment and carry the prescription drugs with them upon re-entry into Canada. https://www.fedex.com/en-ca/shipping-services/international/regulatory/prescription-reminder.html

Answer 2

The customer service representative at FedEx had it right. Health Canada only allows specific entities to import prescription drugs. Source

Your father would have been allowed to take up to 90 days supply with him, but he cannot import more drugs now that he's there.

He would appear to have two options: find a Canadian doctor who can prescribe the medication, and buy it locally; or return to the USA and continue his rehabilitation at home.

This is why one should always carry appropriate insurance for foreign travel.