Buying Meds From Canada?

[Forevryoung]

Does anyone have any experience with buying prescriptions online from Canada? Any reputable sites??

My health insurance is changing due to a job change and my birth control will no longer be covered because I work under a Catholic health system (I can't even use my flex spending $$ toward it).

It's $78 at CVS, $69 at drugstore.com, I can check Target and Costco... but looking online, it's $35ish a month from Canada.

It's a prepackaged prescription so there is less worry about getting the wrong/inferior product... Anything I should consider?

 

[howlongtildisney]

I just want to say I feel your pain - I work for a Catholic organization as well. Not sure if there is a Walgreen's in your area, but I get about $10 off a month for being a member of their prescription club. I'm also not 100% sure that ordering meds from Canada is legal.

 

[ajh88]

I would check out this website (or a link on this website) from the National Association of the Boards of Pharmacy and look for the VIPPS seal on whatever internet pharmacy you research:

http://www.nabp.net/index.html?target=/vipps/intro.asp&

I'll add a disclaimer that technically ordering drugs from Canada is illegal, but the FDA has chosen to turn a blind eye to individuals who are importing quantities only for their own use. Plus, the law is pretty unenforceable in the grand scheme of things. I'm not judging, just throwing it out there.

I'd also suggest a couple of other things - you can find free discount cards that may take some $$ off (in some cases, quite a lot) and bring your BC back to a more affordable range. You could check directly with the manufacturer to see if they offer any assistance or coupons. Also check with your doctor - they will sometimes have samples or coupons sitting around, especially because (based on the price) it seems as though you may be using a product that is not available as a generic (and thus may have some coupons out there somewhere). Keep price checking at various pharmacies too - and don't rule out small independent pharmacies either (sometimes they can really undercut the big chains for some products).

Best of luck - I feel you pain. I go to a Catholic school (and my insurance is student insurance from them) and had to switch to a $9 birth control because $55 a month just was NOT in the budget!

 

[Kae]

First I would tell your doctor they might be able to give you a few sample packs & or there could be a program thru the drug company might only be one pack or it could be more. Or Planned Parenthood.

Kae

 

[Donaldswife]

First I would tell your doctor they might be able to give you a few sample packs & or there could be a program thru the drug company might only be one pack or it could be more. Or Planned Parenthood.

Kae

I second the vote for planned parenthood. I used them when I was young and uninsured and it was very affordable, and probably my fave gyno doc ever.

 

[beansmom]

another vote for Planned Parenthood.

 

[Forevryoung]

I don't know what I'm going to do... just looking at all options.

I know my doc will give me some samples (she always gives me 1 when I see her and I'll ask for a second at the visit), I just don't believe I can get a years supply that way

Whatever it is, the cost of bc is cheaper than having a baby

I'll look into several more of these ideas I hadn't thought of (walgreens, calling planned parenthood, seeing if there are coupons/discounts)
Thanks!

 

[dex08]

another vote for Planned Parenthood.

Ditto this also!

I'd go to Planned Parenthood before I ever ordered meds on-line from another country.

 

[pampam]

My pharmacy in Ontario, Canada fills prescriptions from all over. In northern Ontario there are no drug stores in some places, so the Dr. faxes the prescription to the pharmacy and it is shipped out by the next day. If you need, I can let you know the name of the pharmacy and the fax/phone number.

 

[MMluvsWDW]

Have you thought about generic or switching "kinds" of bc. I know mine at Walgreens without insurance, but using their prescription card is about $10.

 

[Swimalie]

My husband used to work for the DEA investigating pharmaceuticals. Let's put it this way, he will never allow me or anyone in his family to order drugs from another country.

 

[onyx8]

I believe Walmart has some BCPs in their list of $4 generics, you may be able to switch to a cheaper medication. Target also has a similar program.

 

[sksjasams]

There are a lot of great suggestions here.

But in answer to your question, yes, we have ordered prescriptions from Canada. We use Granville Pharmacy http://www.onlinecanadianpharmacy.com/

I actually found them on our State's website, and we have had all good experiences with them.