I'm traveling outside Canada. What should I do about my prescription drugs?

Canadian regulations and laws do not apply outside Canada. When you travel outside Canada with prescribed medication, you should carry proof of need. This will help ensure that you are always considered in legal possession of your required medicine.

When travelling outside Canada with prescription drugs, you should carry a note of explanation from your health care provider to avoid problems with customs officials. Requirements vary from country to country and may also include:

a clear hospital or pharmacy label on the original drug container that identifies your full name as it appears on your passport, the name of the pharmacy, the name of the medication and the dosage; and
a copy of your prescription.

You’ll also need this information if your medication is lost or stolen. Along with copies of your prescriptions, keep a record of each drug’s generic and trade names.

If you wear glasses or contact lenses, having the prescription with you will make it easier to replace them if needed.

Essential medication should be carried in two different pieces of hand luggage, in case one gets lost or stolen. Bring enough medication for more than the duration of your trip. Don’t give in to the temptation to stop taking medication (for blood pressure, depression, etc.) or to decrease the dosage during a trip just because you suddenly feel better.

Some over-the-counter medications, dietary supplements, and herbal and homeopathic products used in Canada are illegal for import and use in other countries or may require a prescription. Contact the embassy of your destination country before departure to make sure both your prescribed drugs and any over-the-counter medication you intend to bring into the country are allowed. Visit the Consular Services website or contact Consular Services for a list of foreign government offices accredited to Canada.

If your medication requires needles and syringes, carry an explanation from your health care provider or a medical certificate with you. In some countries, a traveller found with needles and syringes and without an adequate explanation could be in serious trouble. Since security screening regulations change frequently without warning, and differ from country to country, check regulations before you travel to allow enough time to get the proper documentation.

Needles and syringes may be difficult to purchase abroad, so take enough to last your entire trip. Before departure, check your airline’s regulations regarding needles and syringes in carry-on luggage.

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What is considered "proof of need"?

Proof includes a copy of the prescription, proper identification on the pharmacy label indicating the contents, dosage and a Drug Identification Number (DIN), and possibly a note of explanation from your doctor. This information is essential especially if your medication is lost or stolen or when travelling in a country that is particularly sensitive about drugs.

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What quantity of prescription drugs can I take with me outside Canada?

The Health Products and Food Branch Inspectorate (HPFBI) of Health Canada advises carrying sufficient quantities of a prescription medication for the length of your stay. When travelling you should always keep your medicine in an easily accessible place like hand luggage. Also, remember to follow the storage information shown on the prescription. For instance, some medication must remain refrigerated. Your pharmacist or doctor can guide you on how best to store your medicine when travelling.

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I am returning to Canada with a prescription drug not available in Canada. What can I do?

The HPFBI allows you, as an individual, to import a three-month supply of a prescription medicine. This medicine must be for your personal use or for an immediate family member. You must personally bring the drug over the border in hospital or pharmacy dispensed packaging. Upon your return you should inform your own doctor about the prescribed treatment

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What about returning to Canada with over-the-counter drugs not available in Canada?

Over-the-counter drugs are subject to the same personal import limits as prescription drugs. You may return to Canada with a three-month supply for your personal use or for an immediate family member.

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What about traveling with non-prescription drugs?

Some non-prescription drugs available in Canada are not recognized as non-prescription drugs in other countries. If you are unsure about traveling with a non-prescription medicine, consult your pharmacist or doctor.

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Can prescription medicines be shipped to me from outside Canada?

According to the Food and Drug Act Regulations, prescription medicines cannot be shipped to you from outside Canada. However, in order to prevent delays or interrupt a course of treatment or other situations in which refusal of a shipment at the border could create a health risk, inspectors may allow entry of an initial 3-month supply of a drug, if the drug is packaged in hospital or pharmacy dispensed packaging. At this time, the recipient will be informed that all future shipments will be detained and that either a Canadian source should be used or that their doctor should obtain a foreign supply through the Special Access Programme for drugs not available in Canada.

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