Can I order prescriptions from Canada?
Last updated September 3, 2026.
In most circumstances, importing prescription drugs from Canada is illegal - and the FDA says so plainly. Imported drugs have not passed through the FDA approval chain for the US market, so the agency cannot verify what you actually receive. Many sites branding themselves as Canadian are offshore operations shipping unregulated product, which stacks counterfeit risk on top of the legal problem.
What to do
- Treat "Canadian pharmacy" websites with suspicion. The flag on the homepage proves nothing about where the pills come from.
- Ask about a generic. FDA-approved generics carry the same active ingredient at a fraction of the brand price.
- Check your plan's mail-order option. Maintenance medications through a plan's partner pharmacy often cost less per month than retail.
- Ask about manufacturer programs. Many brand-name drugs have copay assistance that undercuts the cross-border price legally.
Related questions
- Are online pharmacies legitimate?
- How do I know if an online pharmacy is safe?
- What is a mail-order pharmacy?
- Can I get a 90-day supply of my medication?