I am a Canadian citizen seriously considering moving to Texas. I have extreme hypothyroidism and my Canadian family doctor currently does my blood work and prescribes a full year's worth of medication at a time. Can I just continue using my Canadian healthcare provider and bringing my medication to the US, or do I need to navigate the US healthcare system?
You cannot bring a full year's supply of your thyroid medication at one time, and you will need to establish care with a US doctor to get local refills. The FDA allows a {"term": "foreign-national", "text": "foreign national"} to bring or ship only a 90-day supply of prescription medication. Because Texas requires a US-licensed prescriber, a local pharmacy cannot fill your Canadian prescription.
You do not have to figure out the US system on day one. You can bring your first 90 days of medication with you when you cross the border, giving you three months to find a local doctor and get a new prescription.
The FDA strictly limits personal importation of prescription drugs. You cannot bring a full year's worth of medication. The rule allows foreign nationals to bring or ship a maximum of a 90-day supply at a time.
If you are staying in the US longer than 90 days as a temporary foreign national, you can have additional 90-day supplies sent to you by mail or courier. If you choose this route, the FDA suggests including documentation in the package to prove it is for your personal use. This includes a copy of your visa or passport, a letter from your doctor, and a copy of your prescription in English.
The exemption that allows you to have unapproved foreign medication shipped to you by mail applies because you are a foreign national. If you are moving to the US as a permanent resident (a Green Card holder) rather than on a temporary visa, you do not qualify for this specific foreign national exemption.
