Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Is it legal to buy prescription drugs from Canada?

A: Yes, as long as you do not purchase more than a 90 day supply. America’s Food and Drug Administration (F.D.A) has included a discretionary clause which allows USA customers to buy from a non USA pharmacy as long as it is not more than a 90 day supply.

Q: Is it safe to buy prescription drugs from Canada?

A: It depends on the pharmacy you are dealing with.

Canada has an excellent, regulatory system in regards to policing internet pharmacies; they are constantly on the lookout for law breakers. In my opinion, Canada’s regulatory system is every bit as good, if not better, than the one we have here in America.

I caution not to look at price as the sole determining factor for placing an order. What organizations does the pharmacy belong to which gives it authenticity and full credibility and are their membership claims verifiable? You can also study the website of a pharmacy to see if it reasonates with you or can talk to a pharmacy representative to see if you have a positive experience.

I feature the best Canadian, online pharmacies on this site to save you the hassle and anxiety.

Q: How much money can I save by buying from Canadian Pharmacies?

A: The level of savings varies depending on the medications you use. Although some drugs are as much as 80% discounted, most customers experience a savings of between 40-50%. It is the brand name drugs people generally save the most on. Once the generic of a drug comes out it does tend to become more affordable here in the U.S.A.

So, not all drugs are cheaper in Canada. If the generic has not yet been released here in America, you can pretty much bet the brand name drug will be cheaper in Canada. If the generic has been released here in America, it may be more cost effective to purchase it here.

Sometimes a generic is released in Canada before it is released in America. This is another situation where you could experience huge savings by ordering from Canada.

Q: Why are prescription drugs so affordable in Canada?

A:

(1) The Canadian government regulates the cost of prescription drugs, keeping prices down;
(2) There are more generic drugs (substitutes for brand name drugs) in Canada than in other industrialized countries;
(3) The Canadian Dollar is not as powerful as the US Dollar. This means US dollars will buy you more in Canada than here

Q: I have my prescriptions covered under an insurance plan. Can I purchase my medications from a Canadian pharmacy under this plan?

A: Most Canadian pharmacies will not accept a health insurance payment up front. The pharmacy will provide you with a receipt for your order. You can then claim your purchase as an expense to your insurance company.

Please check with your insurance company to verify if they accept Canadian Pharmacy receipts under their plan. If they do then your insurance will cover some or all of the expense. Per this scenario, some or all of the money you spent will be reimbursed back to you by your insurance company.

Q: Do I need a prescription?

A: For the most part, yes. Like your local pharmacy, most prescription drugs from Canadian pharmacies require a prescription. Sending a copy of your medical practitioner’s prescription works just fine. You can ask your doctor’s office to send it for you or you can do it yourself. Faxing a copy of the prescription is the way to go if you have time constraints.

Beware of online pharmacies that do not require a prescription as this is a red flag it is not a reputable organization. It is not prudent or safe, in my opinion, to deal with online pharmacies which do not require a prescription. Dealing with a shady, online pharmacy can cost you in a number of ways.

The excellent pharmacies featured on this site require a prescription.

Q: Will I get the medication/s my doctor prescribed?

A: Yes–as long as you deal with a reputable pharmacy. Canadian pharmacies dispense your medication according to physician instructions. You can authorize a generic substitute if you so desire.

Q: Is ordering a larger supply better?

A: Yes I believe so. Who wants to go thru the hassle of ordering every 30 or so days? When you order a 90 day supply you don’t have to think about your refill for several months. Ordering a 90 day supply reduces your chances of running out of medication.

Many pharmacies charge for shipping so by ordering every month you pay additional shipping costs. If you order the 90 day supply all at once you pay only once for shipping. Both pharmacies featured on this site offer free shipping on all orders!

If you have anxiety about dealing with an online, Canadian pharmacy you can order a 30 day supply to see if you are satisfied. If you are satisfied then in the future you can order the full 90 day supply.

Do not order more than a 90 day supply—see the first question at the very top of this page.

Q: Is ordering medication online a headache?

A: No. Establishing yourself with a Canadian pharmacy is no more difficult than signing up with a pharmacy here in America. Once signed up and in their system you then just need to make sure you order your next supply before your current supply runs out. Generally the pharmacy will contact you well ahead of time to remind you. If you do happen to run out before your next supply arrives you can always buy a few of the more expensive pills through your local pharmacy. This will “hold you over” until your full supply from Canada arrives.

Q: How long will it take for my order to arrive?

A. It varies depending on the pharmacy you are dealing with. 20-21 days is generally how long it will take for your order to arrive.

Q: What is a generic?

A. Drug manufacturers hold patents on the brand-name drugs they make and sell. When the patent expires, pharmaceutical companies can manufacture a generic, or copy, of the brand-name and sell it at a substantial discount.

A generic medication has the same dosage, safety, strength, quality, directions, performance, and intended use as its brand-name counter-part. Before generics are made available on the market, the manufacturer must prove it has the same active ingredients as the brand-name and works as effectively. The only differences between generics and their brand-name counterparts is that generics are less expensive and may look slightly different (eg. different shape or color). Trademark laws prevent a generic from looking exactly like the brand name medication.

Q: What about online pharmacies from Mexico?

A: I do not see Mexico as an attractive option for obtaining prescription drugs via an online pharmacy. A number of people risk it however and do get their prescription drugs this way. The horrendous corruption in Mexico, lack of good oversight etc. scares me.

If you compare violence and crime in Mexico to that in Canada you will find Mexico is far worse. I once crossed from Texas into Matamoras, Mexico and consider myself lucky I made it out unscathed–it seemed lawless and I did not feel safe. I was so glad to cross back over to the USA. This was in the early 1990s however so perhaps Matamoras has improved? I’ve heard most of Mexico is nice and I’m sure it is so please no offense to my visitors from Mexico.

There probably are a few decent online, Mexican pharmacies but overall, from what I have learned, I cannot recommend tthis route.