There are some risks that arise when you purchase medications via the Internet or mail order, and some additional risks that arise if you are purchasing from a pharmacy outside of the United States. Be an informed consumer. You need to consider these risks and decide whether ordering your medications in this manner is right for you and your family. Is it legal?  The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) maintains that:

• Reimporting into the US prescription drugs originally manufactured in the US is a violation of the Food Drug and Cosmetic Act; and
• Importing medications made in other countries violates the Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act if the medicine is not approved by the FDA or if it does not meet all FDA approval requirements.

However, to our knowledge, the US government has not stopped individual US residents from buying small amounts of prescription drugs for their own personal use, or that of a family member, and the FDA has made statements to the media that they do not plan to interfere with such small individual purchases. The FDA's policy on "personal use" basically says that FDA staff can choose not to stop shipments that might violate federal law, under these circumstances:

• The appropriate use is identified, is not for the purpose of a serious condition, and the product is not considered dangerous; or
• The medication is for a serious condition and is not available in the US;
• The medication is not promoted to US residents;
• The FDA does not consider the medication to pose an unreasonable risk; and
• The person buying the medication verifies that the medication is for personal use, and provides the name and address of his/her US doctor or can show that the medication is necessary to continue treatment.

It is important to know that the FDA considers this policy to be discretionary and they could choose to change it at any time. What about private medical information? The Government of Canada regulates what these pharmacies can and cannot do with your private medical information. If you have any questions, please ask the pharmacy about its policies and practices in handling your medical information. The laws of the US may not apply.