Posted by Tony P on August 5, 2008, at 19:19:27
In reply to Re: Dr BOB: Policy on importing precription drugs, posted by Jay_Bravest_Face on August 5, 2008, at 14:39:31
Canada's policy on Rx & gray area drugs (e.g. Rx in Europe, not available or scheduled in Canada) is confusing and applied capriciously.
Health Canada's web statement is that their policy is primarily to protect Canadian manufacturers from commercial level imports/resale. However, they go on to describe a complicated policy on individual imports (<=90 days), which basically says if it's an Rx med either in Canada or a similar Rx is available here, you'll be "grandfathered" and allowed one import, with a polite note added suggesting you get your Dr. to apply for Special Access permission to import (both my pdoc & MD said "don't even bother trying").
I have had one package opened and passed with the aforesaid polite note (med. not available in Canada), one opened and returned to sender or destroyed, again with an explantory note (Rx drug available in Canada), and many, many packages that have simply gone missing (or were never sent by scam artists).
I phoned and talked to a Health Canada rep. She made it clear (by what she didn't say) that the policy is applied haphazardly, partly just due to volume, and that any given shipment may or may not result in an advisory note.
So the law in Canada is not at all clear, Health Canada regulations are confusing and applied inconsistently. It's probably just as well to keep the p/babble policy as it is for now. I am always willing to share info on non-controlled meds. on a personal email basis.
poster:Tony P
thread:844240
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/admin/20080719/msgs/844419.html