One of the things that may become overlooked in the hurly-burly of your extended trip to the southern U.S. is your prescriptions. So, don’t forget your drugs!
Our experience is that our physician prescribes two months at a time.
Often the drug in question, one that’s necessary to address the health concern of that individual, needs to be taken daily. When your trip to your Snowbird home extends past the two month period, what is a Canadian to do to get their prescriptions filled in the U.S.
U.S. pharmacies and filling Canadian Prescriptions
According the the U.S. Food and Drug Aministration, very few pharmacies in the U.S. will fill a Canadian prescription. This does vary state to state. For example, the Florida Health department says that a prescription from another country “is outside Florida state law”. But what does that mean? It means that it’s up to the pharmacy whether or not they will fill a Canadian prescription, and some don’t.
Don’t expect that if you take a Canadian prescription with you in your travel south that you can fill it at a Walgreen or CVS, a Walmart Pharmacy or any of the other independant drugstores that abound throughout the Snowbird belt. Odds are pretty good that you cannot.
Solution to prescriptions for long term travel – a vacation supply
Since it’s now normal for a patient to ask their pharmacist to contact the doctor to get a prescription refilled, talk to your pharmacist first. Explain that you’re planning an extended stay in the south, a regular supply will not be enough and that you’ll need a vacation supply of your prescribed drugs.
All of the pharmacists in Canada we’ve dealt with over the years are familiar with this need and know the steps to take to make it happen whether you are on a senior’s drug plan or not.
Make sure you visit your pharmacist at least a month before your trip to allow them time to communicate with your doctor in case there are any hiccups.
Travel Checklist?
Have you got one?
If not, consider starting one and put your prescriptions near the top so you don’t forget your drugs!
Have you had a problem with getting your drugs in the U.S? Perhaps you’d like to share your story in a comment to help other Snowbird travellers? Cheers.