16 Dec Can You Legally Order Prescription Drugs from Outside the U.S.?

December 16, 2025 ~ For many people, the cost of prescription drugs can be overwhelming. Some may consider ordering drugs from outside the country to save money. But is it legal? Is it safe? Here’s what you need to know.

Is It Legal to Import Medications from Other Countries?

In most cases, it is illegal to import prescription drugs into the U.S. from another country, even for personal use. This includes ordering medications from international online pharmacies.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) generally prohibits importing medications that:

• Are not FDA-approved (even if they are approved in other countries)
• Do not meet FDA labeling and safety standards
• Are shipped from unlicensed or foreign pharmacies

However, there are limited exceptions.

FDA’s Personal Importation Policy

The FDA may use enforcement discretion to allow individuals to import medications for personal use in specific situations. According to the FDA, this may apply if:

• The medication is not for a serious medical condition and there are no known significant health risks (typically applied to things like over the counter medications); or
• The medication is for a serious condition (like cancer) and
  • There is no effective treatment available in the U.S.
  • There is no commercialization of the drug in the U.S.
  • The drug does not pose an unreasonable risk
  • You are importing no more than a 3-month supply
  • You can provide a written statement from your doctor explaining why the medication is necessary

Important: Even if you meet all these conditions, the medication could still be stopped at the border by U.S. Customs.

Learn more about the FDA’s policy

What About Drugs from Canada?

There is a law that allows pharmacists and wholesalers to import certain prescription drugs from Canada into the United States, but it requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to certify that the importation program would pose no additional risk to the public's health and safety and would offer “significant reduction in the cost” to U.S. consumers. No Secretary had certified this until 2020.

With the Secretary’s certification, and related regulations, states and tribes are allowed to ask the FDA to permit the importation of certain prescription drugs from Canada, specifically only drugs that are currently marketed in the U.S. and approved by Canada’s Health Products and Food Branch (HPFB) with appropriate labeling to be marketed in Canada.

In 2024, Florida was the first state to receive FDA approval to import drugs from Canada using this pathway. The authorization is time-limited, and Florida must comply with monitoring and reporting requirements including specifying exactly which drugs it seeks to import.

Florida’s authorization to import drugs from Canada will expire on November 6, 2025, unless it is extended again.

Seven other states have submitted similar importation plans to the FDA for approval, but none have been approved yet.

Risks of Buying Medications from Foreign Pharmacies

While some online pharmacies operate legally in their own countries, others sell counterfeit or unsafe products. Risks include:

• Receiving medications with the wrong dosage or ingredients
• Dangerous drug interactions or side effects
• Lack of regulation or oversight
• No legal recourse if something goes wrong

To help reduce these risks, the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy (NABP) created a Safe Site Search Tool to identify safe and verified online pharmacies.

Are There Safer Ways to Save on Prescription Drugs?

Yes. Before looking outside the U.S., try these options:

1. Pharmaceutical Assistance Programs

Many pharmaceutical companies and specialty pharmacies have assistance programs that may be able to help patients cope with the financial aspects of a cancer diagnosis.

Learn more about pharmaceutical assistance programs.

2. Generic Medications

Ask your health care provider or pharmacist if a generic version of your medication is available. A generic drug is a prescription drug that contains the same chemical substance as a brand-name drug. Generics are FDA-approved and often much cheaper.

For more information, view our Quick Guide to Getting and Paying for Prescription Drugs.

3. Discount Programs and Coupons

Services like GoodRx or NeedyMeds may offer coupons that lower out-of-pocket costs.

Triage Cancer in partnership with NeedyMeds provides a drug discount card that can help you save up to 80% off the cash price of prescriptions, as well as over-the-counter medications and supplies written as prescriptions. You can also compare prices at pharmacies near you with GoodRx.

4. Financial Assistance Programs

Some nonprofit organizations or local service organizations may offer financial help people afford medications. To learn more about these financial assistance resources and others, see Triage Cancer's Financial Assistance Resources.

What If You Already Ordered a Medication from Abroad?

If your medication is stopped at the border:

• You may receive a letter from U.S. Customs or the FDA explaining the violation.
• You might be able to respond with a doctor’s note or documentation, but the medication may still be confiscated.

Bottom Line

While it may seem like a cost-saving solution, ordering prescription drugs from outside the U.S. is usually illegal and can be risky. There are likely safer ways to get help affording your medications — and you're not alone. Always speak with your health care team about ways to access medications.

To learn more about managing prescription drug costs, visit our Prescription Drug materials and resources.