Table of Contents

I. Importing Medications from Canada is Always Illegal

II. Drugs from Canada are of Low Quality

III. Canadian Pharmacies only Source from Canada

IV. Canadian Pharmacies Do Not Require Prescriptions

V. FAQ: What are the biggest mistakes when ordering medication from Canada, and how can I avoid them?

Drug importation rules, prescription requirements, and medication quality are all important considerations when using a Canadian pharmacy. Soaring drug costs have forced more Americans to look across the border for lower prices than ever before, but that also means there are now an unprecedented number of myths about Canadian pharmacies circulating online. 

Whether you’re considering a Canadian pharmacy for the first time or simply looking for some clarification, read on as we tackle popular myths about Canadian pharmacies and dissect the real from the fake. 

Importing Medications from Canada is Always Illegal

Is importing medications from Canada always illegal? No. The FDA does not typically crack down on patients who order medications from Canadian pharmacies for personal use. [1]

Why does this myth exist? Like all good myths, this one contains certain truths. The U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) says that Americans are not allowed to import drugs or devices into the U.S. for personal use in most circumstances. The reasoning is that products from other countries may not have been approved in the U.S. yet, making them unsafe (or safety undetermined). [1]

However, the FDA specifically lists situations where individuals may be permitted to import medication. According to the FDA’s official page, its personnel may consider permitting importation if:

• The product is not for the treatment of a serious condition, and there is no known significant health risk.
• The product is for the treatment of a serious condition (i.e., Prescription Drug Products):
  • Provide the name and address of the doctor licensed in the U.S. responsible for your treatment with the product, or
  • Provide evidence that the product is for the continuation of a treatment begun in a foreign country. [1]
  • The product is for a serious condition for which effective treatment may not be available domestically, either through commercial or clinical means.
  • There is no known commercialization or promotion of the product to persons residing in the U.S.
  • The product does not represent an unreasonable risk.
  • The consumer affirms in writing that the product is for personal use.
  • The quantity is generally not more than a three-month supply, and either:
    • Provide the name and address of the doctor licensed in the U.S. responsible for your treatment with the product, or
    • Provide evidence that the product is for the continuation of a treatment begun in a foreign country. [1]

While it does depend on the FDA’s enforcement discretion, the idea that it is always completely illegal to import medication from Canadian pharmacies is still a myth. There are many reasons (here’s 7 of them) to order medication from Canada. With the proper research and a legitimate Canadian pharmacy, it’s entirely possible to order medication for personal use safely and securely.

Drugs from Canada are of Low Quality

Are medications from Canada of a lower quality than those from the United States? No, because Health Canada assesses the safety, efficacy, and quality of a drug product before it is approved for use by Canadians. [2] 

Similar to the FDA’s approval process, Health Canada requires that the manufacturer of a drug provide “substantive scientific evidence of a product’s safety.” [2] Essentially, the myth that drugs from Canada do not meet FDA standards comes from skeptics who think the lower prices must come with a catch.

The fact is, since 1971, Canada’s Department of National Health and Welfare (later restructured into Health Canada) has implemented the Drug Quality Assessment Program to ensure that low-cost drugs do not sacrifice quality. This came after a 1969 initiative to lower prescription drug prices, which saw a 39% decrease in drug prices in its first five years compared to only 1.4% in the U.S. [3]

Evidently, the lower drug costs in Canada are not due to lower quality but historical programs to uphold treatment standards while reducing prices. While it can be easy to think drugs from Canada are of a lower quality, it’s a myth. Read why drugs are cheaper in Canada to learn more about the pricing differences.

Canadian Pharmacies only Source from Canada

Do Canadian pharmacies only ship from Canada? Not always. Most reputable online services nowadays have a physical address in Canada, but they work with licensed fulfillment centers worldwide to offer the lowest prices.

For example, Canada Drug Warehouse’s FAQ page states that medication may be shipped from countries such as Singapore, the United Kingdom, New Zealand, Turkey, Mauritius, India, and Australia. 

To maintain their operation standards and certification, reputable Canadian pharmacies must continuously ensure that their international fulfillment centers are approved by the regulatory bodies in their respective countries.

Organizations like the Canadian International Pharmacy Association (CIPA) help patients find trusted sites that meet the high safety standards that are necessary for their safety. [4] Learn more about CIPA and why its designation is an important safety marker.

Canadian Pharmacies Do Not Require Prescriptions

Some may tell you that Canadian pharmacies are convenient because they do not require prescriptions. This is completely false.

For any medication that requires a prescription where you live, a CIPA-certified online pharmacy will also require a prescription. [5] A prescription ensures you are taking a medication that fits your condition. Many medications can cause harm if taken for the wrong condition, so a prescription is important for keeping you on the right medication and the correct dose.

The verdict? Canadian pharmacies are NOT more convenient because they do not ask for a valid prescription. Instead, Canadian pharmacies are more convenient for other reasons, and they verify prescriptions to ensure full compliance and safety. Read here to learn more about why prescriptions matter and why you should avoid sites that do not ask for one.

FAQ: What are the biggest mistakes when ordering medication from Canada, and how can I avoid them?

One of the biggest mistakes when ordering medication from Canada is sharing your personal information with a fraudulent online pharmacy. In a review of online pharmacies that use the terms “Canada” or “Canadian” in their name or URL, this study found that 108 websites did not require a valid prescription. 

Additionally, organizations such as the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy (NABP) have reviewed more than 11,700 sites and found that 96% were operating illegally. [6]

The fear of falling for a scam is completely valid, but there are steps you can take to avoid making a mistake.

Talk to your doctor. Your primary healthcare provider will likely have experience with personal drug importation. If not, look for another doctor who does. By working with a healthcare professional, you increase your chances of finding a legitimate Canadian pharmacy.

Note the non-negotiables. Some terms you cannot compromise on, no matter how low an advertised price may be. For example, never order from a site that offers prescription-only medication without needing to verify your prescription. 

Check for certification. Look for a CIPA badge or IPABC membership. Then, look beyond what the site claims and verify their membership for yourself with tools such as the official CIPA site verification page.

Rely on third-party reviews. Any site can publish positive reviews, but how many of those are actually real? When assessing reviews, be critical and look for both positive and negative comments. Sites like ShopperApproved verify their reviews so you can better tell whether a site is legitimate.

Make sure all the legitimacy boxes are checked before entering your personal information. Once you find a site that you trust, then and only then should you order medication. If you feel suspicious about a site, it’s always better to be safe than sorry.

How to avoid being scammed by fraudulent online pharmacies:

1. Talk to your healthcare provider or find a professional with experience ordering from Canada

2. Set your non-negotiables, such as prescription verification, and avoid any sites that break those rules

3. Check for accreditation and verify certification personally

4. Read reviews, especially third-party ones that provide a clearer picture of the credibility of a site

5. Only proceed when a site has no red flags

The content in this article is intended for informational purposes only. This website does not provide medical advice. In all circumstances, you should always seek the advice of your physician and/or other qualified health professionals(s) for drug, medical condition, or treatment advice. The content provided on this website is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.