Mailing Prescription Contraceptives from the UK to USA

[Laura. 90]

I originally came to the USA on Saturday, and was only going to be staying 16 days as we weren't sure how long we had funds to cover. We've now found out that I could stay longer (Passport stamped until mid July).

I take a contraceptive pill, and get it on prescription in the UK (just out of ease, it's not a prescription only item as far as I'm aware, and it's free).

I was hoping that my parents would be able to mail me another 2 month's worth that I have in a drawer at home. I've tried Googling the laws and whatnot regarding this, but I can only find information regarding more serious drugs. The pill I take is a mixture of ethinylestradiol and levonorgestrel if that means anything to anyone.

Is this a possibility, if so how would we go about it?

(P.S. I wasn't sure where to post this so feel free to move it to a more suitable place)

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

I used to get BC shipped from Australia, and I don't remember doing anything special (this place had a cheap deal). I think on the customs form you can put "medicine" or something. You are allowed to bring personal medications into the country so I don't think mailing it would be any different.

I found this: It says you should include a letter about it. https://help.cbp.gov/app/answers/detail/a_id/777/kw/mailing%20medicine

Edited April 16, 2013 by Harpa Timsah

[spookyturtle 9,465]

I would suggest abstinence.

[erynaught 43]

Shipping prescription medications into the US is illegal. However, you can follow the link provided above to avoid any problems with Customs and FDA, but this could take awhile.

However, the likelihood of a FedEx packaging coming from the UK being opened and inspected is very, very low.

Alternatively, condoms are cheap and readily available.

[Villanelle 4,121]

Yikes. I have to disagree with Harpa slightly on this one. While you can bring stuff with you in person, through the mail is a totally different story. (we've struggled with this greatly many times in both directions and have things confiscated) Its rather stupid. I mean in person its fine- but try to mail it and for some reason theres different rules...

A pharmacy has special permissions to mail pills through the mail. Your parents however have no such permissions. See the link from the Customs Info Center Harpa posted. Read it well. They mean every word.

You need to send the letter along with your packet of pills, but its going to take A MONTH for them to clear your packet and get it to you. (IF they clear it at all) You think waiting on USCIS is long. (HA!) Honestly, youd be better off going to a place like planned parenthood and getting a new script for pills or switching to a new BC method as it is a prescrip item in the US.

Because of the issues involved sometimes people do not disclose the contents of the package or mislabel the package and hope it makes it way through as assorted items in a care package. If caught there are potential penalties for the mailer and the contents may be destroyed.

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

Maybe when I got mine the laws were different... it wasn't that long ago... lol

Another idea: You can get new bc in the US. You can go to a clinic and get a prescription, and hopefully you can get the same kind (they will have different brand names but you should be able to identify it). I found out a lot of brands are the same just with different names in different countries.

[Laura. 90]

I have found two brands that seem to contain the same things, but they're both half the dose I take from my UK pill. (EDIT: Nevermind, they're two a day here, mine is one a day. So not a problem.)

What would be the best way to go about getting it here then? I have no idea how the system works.

Can I just walk into a Pharmacy like CVS, tell them what I take and buy it?

Edited April 17, 2013 by Laura Clare

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

You need a prescription from a doctor. You can make an appointment at a regular doctor or go to Planned Parenthood which accepts pay on a sliding scale. You might be able to buy them from Planned Parenthood (but they only have some brands from what I remember). Once you get the prescription you take it to the pharmacy (like CVS) and they give it to you (you pay for it).

PS ask your fiance how the system works

Good luck - it sounds like you found a good solution.

[NikLR 13,220]

In the USA you have to pay for every visit to the dr and every prescription. It is not at all like the UK in regards to health care.

I agree to try planned parenthood and see if they have your prescription there. What is the brand name of yours? We might be able to find the US version.

Either that or stock up on condoms and use them!

[erynaught 43]

Most physicians/clinics are going to want you to undergo an exam before prescribing you a prescription. Do you have any records from home that can verify you've been prescribed the BC before? That would be helpful. Also, if your fiancé has a regular physician whom he knows fairly well, you could discuss it with him/her and see if he/her could help you out.

[Laura. 90]

Most physicians/clinics are going to want you to undergo an exam before prescribing you a prescription. Do you have any records from home that can verify you've been prescribed the BC before? That would be helpful. Also, if your fiancé has a regular physician whom he knows fairly well, you could discuss it with him/her and see if he/her could help you out.

Unfortunately I don't have anything with me like that. I'm kicking myself for not thinking this through before I left the UK.

Fiance doesn't have a physician as he only moved back here from the UK 2 months ago, so he barely knows the system either.

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

Unfortunately I don't have anything with me like that. I'm kicking myself for not thinking this through before I left the UK.

Fiance doesn't have a physician as he only moved back here from the UK 2 months ago, so he barely knows the system either.

lol Go to planned parenthood and ask them questions. They might be able to write prescriptions for other pills too, besides the ones they keep on hand.

http://www.plannedparenthood.org/

You can just say,"I don't have insurance, I am visiting, this is my story, what will this cost?" They have payment on a sliding scale. They are there for public health.

Edited April 17, 2013 by Harpa Timsah