AMA policy on in-person importation of prescription drugs from Canada

NATIONAL HARBOR, Md. — Responding to intensified concerns that patient out-of-pocket costs for prescription drugs have hampered access to needed medications, physicians at the Interim Meeting of the American Medical Association (AMA) today adopted new policy supporting in-person purchase and importation of prescription drugs from licensed Canadian pharmacies, if the safety of such importation can be assured.

AMA support for in-person prescription drug importation from licensed ‘brick and mortar’ Canadian pharmacies would be conditional on the import of a limited quantity for personal use only. Medications imported in-person also must be approved by Health Canada, the government agency that reviews the safety, effectiveness and quality of prescription drugs authorized for sale in Canada.