Community Forums

CWJK55 · 05-31-2016, 07:27 AM

We will be traveling from the United States to Canada in July. Will we be able to get refills on U.S. prescriptions in Canada?

docj · 05-31-2016, 07:37 AM

The simple answer is "no." Canadian pharmacies only accept prescriptions from doctors licensed to practice in Canada.

Most US health insurance companies have a procedure for a "vacation override" if you need to stock up on meds before going on travel. Give your insurance carrier and ask. Ours permits a one month vacation override each year but they allow more of a stockpiling if you are going outside the country.

Mr.Geritol · 05-31-2016, 10:10 AM

As said above Canadian Pharmacies will not honor a US prescription
When you come bring your prescriptions in their original package which should also have the your name on them.
Canada customs will not have a problem with them.
If you take them out of the original package your on your own

larry koenn · 05-31-2016, 10:46 AM

Guess I don't understand. My wife and I have been getting our prescriptions from Canada for four years. Marks Marine Pharmacy in Vancouver, in fact. We have stopped there on the way to Alaska as well as getting meds mail order. All you need is your US doctors prescription and money.

I do see reports of it not being legal but we continue to receive mail order drugs re-taped and marked "inspected by US Customes"

I have turned several friends onto Marks, and we all enjoy saving the money, rather than pay full US prices after falling into the Medicare donut hole.

We all get our expensive meds at one quarter to one third the cost in the US. Google Marks Marine Pharmacy, or search in Canada for mail order meds, there are many that sell to the US.

More money for fuel...
Larry

twogypsies · 05-31-2016, 01:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by larry koenn

Guess I don't understand. My wife and I have been getting our prescriptions from Canada for four years. Marks Marine Pharmacy in Vancouver, in fact.

Ordering your prescriptions online or by phone from the U.S. to a Canadian facility is perfectly legal and can easily be done. Many folks do this.

However, the question was that the OP is traveling and wants to get a prescription filled in person. That, you cannot do.

OP: Have your physician give you a 90-day prescription and get it filled before you enter Canada.

docj · 05-31-2016, 01:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by larry koenn

Guess I don't understand. My wife and I have been getting our prescriptions from Canada for four years. Marks Marine Pharmacy in Vancouver, in fact. We have stopped there on the way to Alaska as well as getting meds mail order. All you need is your US doctors prescription and money.

I think if you read the "fine print" I think you will see that the Canadian pharmacies you are dealing with actually have to have a Canadian doctor re-write the prescription before they can fill it.

I doubt that an American walking into an arbitrary Canadian pharmacy (not a mail order one) would be able to do much with his US prescription. Maybe they could direct you to a local doctor who might be willing to see you.

ctbruce · 05-31-2016, 03:48 PM

Just curious. Why would you not fill in U. S. and get out of the donut hole? Is the price difference savings greater than what the donut hole would cost?

alvo · 05-31-2016, 03:56 PM

Sorry for being a little off topic, but shop around for prescription prices. I have one common prescription drug that is $294 at Walmart; $30 at my neighborhood independent pharmacy.

ctbruce · 05-31-2016, 05:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alvo

Sorry for being a little off topic, but shop around for prescription prices. I have one common prescription drug that is $294 at Walmart; $30 at my neighborhood independent pharmacy.

Congrats for you. But there is no way that is right. Something that far off is either a mistake on the independents part or illegal. Or you are quoting the copay and that would be the same at any pharmacy that takes your plan.

Regardless, you are correct to shop around. Not all pharmacies charge the same amount.

Gary RVRoamer · 05-31-2016, 05:18 PM

Quote:

I think if you read the "fine print" I think you will see that the Canadian pharmacies you are dealing with actually have to have a Canadian doctor re-write the prescription before they can fill it.

That's my understanding as well.

You also need to discuss with your insurer what coverage, if any, you have while in Canada. Policies vary from "None" to "pay and we will (maybe) reimburse you" but few provide direct payment to Canadian providers.

docj · 05-31-2016, 05:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gary RVRoamer

That's my understanding as well.

You also need to discuss with your insurer what coverage, if any, you have while in Canada. Policies vary from "None" to "pay and we will (maybe) reimburse you" but few provide direct payment to Canadian providers.

Some Medicare Medigap Plans, including Plans F and G, include $50k of emergency care outside the US. The coverage is 80/20 and is reimbursable in that you have to pay the bill and then claim reimbursement. This coverage will not cover routine care nor will it cover prescriptions.

alvo · 05-31-2016, 06:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ctbruce

Something that far off is either a mistake on the independents part or illegal. Or you are quoting the copay and that would be the same at any pharmacy that takes your plan.

My insurance doesn't cover this medication so I pay the full retail price, not just a co-pay. i asked the pharmacist about the difference and he told me the $30 was correct and they price drugs according to what it costs them. I asked at Walmart about their price and they told me their price was right and they don't price match prescription drugs. One reason maybe they dropped their slogan, "Always low prices. Always."

larry koenn · 05-31-2016, 07:04 PM

I guess I wish someone else who has actual experience buying prescription drugs in Canada would respond to this discussion. So far the responders seem to be offering their thoughts or opinions. I'm giving you real facts when I say I have walked into a Canadian Pharmacy with my US doctors prescription and gotten drugs for less than one third the cost of getting them in the US. I take insulin and the first 90 day order of the year would put me in the donut hole. My wife has to take a non generic drug that is very expensive in the US, in Canada it's a quarter of the cost here.

I manage prescription orders so my last order of the year is thru my Medicare Program and puts me in the donut hole at years end. I like to keep room for emergencies thru the year if needed. I think I'm saving quite a bit of money buy I'm sure at least one of you will be able to show me where I'm wrong.

Larry

docj · 05-31-2016, 07:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by larry koenn

I'm giving you real facts when I say I have walked into a Canadian Pharmacy with my US doctors prescription and gotten drugs for less than one third the cost of getting them in the US.

I'm not denying that you have done this, but it simply isn't 100% legal.

Here's an excerpt from a CBC article:

Canadian doctors are co-signing prescriptions for American patients they haven't seen — a practice critics consider unethical and one that violates every province's standards of care, CBC News has learned.

Prescriptions written by U.S. physicians require a co-signature from a Canadian doctor before a Canadian pharmacist can legally fill them.

Canada's internet pharmacies wouldn't be able to operate legally without the practice of co-signing,
but from the beginning it's been the source of controversy and debate.

The entire article can be found here: Canadian doctors co-signing prescriptions for U.S. patients - Manitoba - CBC News