INDIANA (WSBT) — The U.S. is cracking down on prescription medications from Canada.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection is enforcing a new rule that will impact how you can get cheaper prescription drugs from Canada.
Currently, millions of Americans purchase low-cost prescriptions from Canada.
WSBT
Although importing prescription drugs to the U.S. is illegal in most cases, because they are not FDA-approved, enforcement has not always been consistent.
Now, a new rule could change that.
Starting October 22nd, a new order from Customs Border Protection will require certain shipments valued over $100 to be declared before you import them.
“So, it used to be that if you valued the product at less than $800, you could throw it in the shipment box and then you could just import it into the United States. You know, it would still be subject to inspection if the customs officer decided to inspect it. Otherwise, that was all that was required,” said Darren Covington, Executive Vice President of the Indiana Pharmacy Association.
This makes it a lot more difficult for Canadian pharmaceutical companies to sell to the U.S; affecting many Americans who rely on these lower-cost medications.
“This has been going on and there’s been a lifeline for the uninsured, the underinsured. When people get prescribed a drug and it’s not covered, they’ve gotten it from Canada and other countries,” said Gabriel Levitt, Founder & President of Prescription Justice.
For some customers, the change could mean paying far more for medications they’ve relied on for years; stretching prescriptions or taking less than prescribed.
“We jumped from $10 a month or $30 for three months to $400 for three months. Needless to say, for years instead of taking two a day I only took one. I only get a $1,000 a month in Social Security so that $400 for three months is a lot of money,” said Sandra Sharp, previously purchased medicines from Canada.
One of the most common prescriptions imported: Eliquis, a blood thinner, used to prevent blood clots. But a generic is not yet available in the U.S.
“And the price in the US out of pocket, if you happen to be falling through the cracks of our healthcare system, it’s about $1,000 for three months. It’s $388 for three months in Canada. So, you’re dealing with thousands of dollars in savings potentially per year,” said Levitt.
But what is the reason behind this import change?
“One, you know, to make sure that products that were subject to tariffs were actually paying the tariff, but it was also really designed to help catch imports of illegal fentanyl into the United States,” said Covington.
Experts say talk with your pharmacists about your medication sourcing and find other cost-effective ways to purchase it.
Source: wsbt.com
