A more accurate term is International Pharmacy since the majority of our consumers live beyond Canadian borders. Like traditional pharmacies, International Pharmacies are fully licensed and employ a staff of pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, customer service representatives, managers and support staff. International Pharmacies are a modified version of mail order, using the Internet to improve and simplify the ordering process.

The industry started in Manitoba in 2000 by two different groups of pharmacists wanting to market health care products over the Internet. The first group noticed a price difference between Canada and the US for Nicorette® gum, and began selling the product on eBay. At around the same time, another pharmacist began selling glucose monitoring equipment through an Internet site. Both groups soon realized Americans needed patented medicines at a reasonable price, and each launched an International Pharmacy. This was the springboard for a new era in retailing prescription medications.

The latest information indicates annual national sales of close to US$1billion, serving approximately two million international consumers. In BC, combined revenues in excess of $260 million are a substantial contribution to the provincial economy.

Yes. Members of IPA BC operate according to the federal and provincial laws of Canada. Exporting Canadian-approved drugs to other countries is legal and does not contravene with the letter or intent of any Canadian law.

"The cross border sale of drugs to the United States has becomes an important business in Canada because many Americans are taking advantage of lower Canadian patented drug prices and are purchasing their drugs from Canada. Neither Canada's international trade obligations nor our domestic laws prohibit these exports."

Many consumers who choose to purchase their medications through Canadian International Pharmacies are looking for safe, affordable medications. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) generally allows into the US up to a 90-day supply of medication for consumer's personal use. The FDA has issued statements to the media saying they do not plan to interfere with small personal purchases.

No, it is not illegal. The Canadian Food and Drugs Act stipulates that a prescription can be filled if it has been issued by a physician licensed to practice medicine in Canada.

As part of IPA BC's Consumer Protection Guidelines, a Canadian doctor reviews the consumer's medical profile and original prescription issued by their American physician before writing a new Canadian prescription. This is an independent medical review by a second doctor and serves as an additional safeguard to ensure consumers are prescribed the right medications for their health.

"Counter-signing" or "co-signing" are common but incorrect terms referring to an independent medical review in which a licensed Canadian physician reviews the international consumer's medical profile detailing their medical history, current health status, allergies, and current medications in addition to their local physician-prescribed prescription before authorizing the consumer's prescription.

For many people, the cost savings and convenience of using International Pharmacies outweigh the benefits of simply using prescription medication insurance coverage under Medicare Part D.

Enrolling in Medicare Part D is voluntary and open to those who have Medicare Part A (hospital insurance) and/or Part B (medical/physician insurance). The Part D program is offered through private insurance plans and there are numerous ones offered in each state. Consumers have to carefully consider several factors if they decide to enroll in Medicare Part D, such as whether a plan covers their needed prescriptions, the co-payments and their annual spending.

General steps are outlined in the Consumers section. Click here to read about the process.

Canadian International Pharmacies adhere to some of the highest safety standards in the world - a point made by the Government Accountability Office, a US government body tasked by Congress to evaluate the safety of online pharmacies.

To view the results of this report, click here.

IPA BC members offer safe and reliable pharmacy services and operate in accordance with federal and provincial laws as well as our Consumer Protection Guidelines.

Buying from an IPA BC member provides consumers with access to IPA BC’s Consumer Satisfaction Committee. This committee serves as the consumer’s liaison should there be a concern the consumer cannot resolve with the IPA BC pharmacy directly. Contact the committee

Click here and tips to finding reliable Canadian International Pharmacies.

Canadian International Pharmacies do not provide narcotics and controlled substances. The majority of drugs shipped to consumers are maintenance medications designed to treat chronic conditions like high cholesterol and heart disease. Since these types of drugs are not candidates for fraud and abuse, the potential risk of fraud and abuse is very low.

The US is the only industrialized country that does not have price controls on pharmaceuticals. In Canada, the government created the Patented Medicine Prices Review Board to ensure the prices of patented drugs in Canada are not excessive. As a result, Canadian patented drug prices have risen in only moderate amounts compared to US prices.

This is what large pharmaceutical manufacturers would like consumers to believe. However, the development of new pharmaceutical drugs is largely funded by the National Institutes of Health, a US government organization. Major pharmaceutical companies are profitable corporations and it is unlikely lower profit margins will affect their future research and development.

Health Canada is the federal agency in charge of ensuring the integrity of the Canadian drug supply. It has investigated all claims reported about Canadian International Pharmacies and the country's drug supply. The investigations have not found that the practices of the Canadian International Pharmacy industry has caused even a short-term disruption in Canada's drug supply.

While drug shortages do occur from time to time in Canada, they are unrelated to the exporting of drugs by Canadian International Pharmacies.

Canadian International Pharmacies contribute to the economy in a number of ways. This environmentally sustainable industry generates over $260 million a year in BC and over $1 billion across Canada.

International Pharmacies have created over 700 direct jobs for pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, administrative and other support staff in BC. Their presence supports another 3,000 ancillary jobs in the following areas: shipping companies, Web site developers, packaging merchandisers, computer programmers, pharmaceutical wholesalers, generic drug manufacturers and others.

As experts in distance-based health care delivery, Canadian International Pharmacies are able to service parts of Canada, including rural communities, which are currently underserved by pharmacists.