Canadian Snowbird
Association

TAKING MEDICATION TO THE USA (2003)

The CANADIAN SNOWBIRD ASSOCIATION (CSA) is pleased to provide the following general information to assist members travelling to their winter residences this year who are taking prescription and non-prescription medication that was purchased in Canada.

All Canadian citizens who are allowed to stay in the USA for up to six months may bring with them up to six month's supply of prescription medication. All medication should be left in the original container it was dispensed in from the pharmacy and have the official pharmacy label in tact. (i.e. do not try to consolidate several small bottles into one larger bottle to save space).

At this time, the maximum supply of over-the-counter medication (i.e. non-prescription) someone may take into the U.S. is just three months, regardless if the person is a Canadian citizen or not and regardless if the person is staying longer than three months.

It is recommended that when crossing the U.S. border, travellers should have a proper letter from their doctor that outlines the person's prescription medication (medication name and dosage) as well as outlines the additional non-prescription medication (medication name and dosage) the person is taking. This should help explain that the medication is for personal use and not for resale etc. Please also note that there is a special restriction on over-the-counter medication containing codeine - 50 tablets.

It is important for all travellers to remember, whether travelling to the USA or overseas to some other country, that some medication that can be bought in Canada as "over-the-counter" may in fact be a restricted prescription-only drug in that other country. Having a doctor's letter should help explain the person's needs, especially considering our over-the-counter medication would not have a proper pharmacy label on the package.

Founded in 1992, the Canadian Snowbird Association is a national not-for-profit advocacy organization of over 80,000 members. It is dedicated to actively defending and improving the rights and privileges of Canadian travellers within Canada and around the world.

For further information on the association and the benefits of membership, please contact:
Canadian Snowbird Association
180 Lesmill Road
North York, Ontario M3B 2T5
Telephone (416) 441-7062 or 1-800-265-3200
Fax (416) 441-7007
E-Mail - CSAWRITEUS@snowbirds.org