What to Do if You Can No Longer Order Prescription Drugs From Abroad
Medications for chronic conditions can help you take back control of your life, but what if you find yourself in a position where you cannot afford them? You are not alone. When I ran an independent pharmacy in Colorado, people shared stories about difficulties affording their prescriptions. Several patients found that an internet search led to cost savings.
If you compare drug costs online, you may have quickly come across the international mail order option simply because medications in Canada and India, for example, are much cheaper than those on U.S. pharmacy shelves. For those patients who are used to – or new to – ordering their medicine from abroad, there is something you and your care team must know:
Beginning October 22, 2026, millions of Americans who rely on prescription drug importation for lower-cost prescription medications could lose that access as a new customs rule takes effect. Although the rule does not explicitly ban ordering prescription drugs from abroad, its implementation could effectively prevent medication orders from reaching American patients.
That has left patients and caregivers scrambling for alternatives. We’ve heard many stories of concern and desperation since the rule’s implications have been widely speculated upon by international pharmacies and reporters, such as in the Wall Street Journal article “Americans Are About to Lose Access to Cheap Gray-Market Prescriptions From Canada” published on September 22.
While not everyone is eligible, there are organizations and resources available to assist with medication access right here in the United States.
1. Use a Nonprofit Mail-Order Pharmacy
Rx Outreach is a nonprofit mail-order pharmacy that offers reduced prices on hundreds of different prescriptions with free delivery throughout the United States, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands.
2. Use a Coordinating Service
There are a lot of programs from manufacturers and foundations. But for each of these programs, there are eligibility criteria and requirements. Since I help my mom apply for assistance programs, I know that the enrollment processes can involve a lot of paperwork and coordination with prescribers. My mom and I also have to remember to re-enroll every calendar year.
Simplefill can make juggling all of this easier for people requiring costly medications. Simplefill monitors your eligibility for programs that offer funds and grants for chronic conditions. The programs can be from medication manufacturers or foundations. Simplefill also provides follow-up support and makes sure that you receive your medication.
You can reach Simplefill at 1-877-386-0206.
3. Call the Manufacturer
A manufacturer assistance program is an option that I actually help my mom navigate for her prescriptions each year. Most manufacturers have programs to increase access to their medications, although, again, they vary depending on your eligibility criteria.
You may think “manufacturers aren’t going to help me” or that if your medicine is controlled, like ADHD meds, you won’t get help. My mother has a Medicare Part D plan and still qualifies for assistance.
You can search online for these manufacturer programs. If you have doubts about your eligibility, pick up the phone and call them. The worst thing you can do is just not call.
4. Search for Assistance Programs
Through NeedyMeds, you can search for patient assistance programs based on your health condition or specific medication. NeedyMeds is like an aggregator of these programs. NeedyMeds gives a description of services for the listed assistance program, which can be available statewide or nationwide.
If you prefer a phone conversation over an internet search, the NeedyMeds phone number is 1-800-503-6897.
5. Contact Foundations
You can independently search online and directly contact foundations dedicated to medication affordability.
National Council on Aging (NCOA)
NCOA has a free online tool called BenefitsCheckUp to help you find income benefits and food assistance. You may also be eligible for housing programs, as well as help with medication, healthcare, and travel costs.
The NCOA phone number is 1-800-794-6559.
The Assistance Fund
The Assistance Fund has copay assistance programs based on medical conditions. These programs may offset other expenses as well.
You can contact the fund at 1-855-845-3663.
Patient Advocate Foundation
The Patient Advocate Foundation has copay relief funds to help with office visits, insurance plan premiums, deductibles, and copays. These funds are based on medical conditions. This foundation also developed a FundFinder tool to help you find assistance from other organizations.
The foundation’s phone number is 1-866-512-3861.
6. Use Other Options
Other options are also available below.
Medicare and Medicaid Programs
There are Medicare and Medicaid programs for healthcare coverage.
- Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE)
- Medicare Part D Extra Help (1-800-772-1213)
- Medicare Rights Center (1-800-333-4114)
- State Pharmaceutical Assistance Program
Payment Plans
Healthcare facilities may have payment plan options if you ask. If the facility honors your request, your total can be divided into invoices with smaller amounts, which can have low-interest or interest-free charges.
Some independent pharmacies may also give you the option to charge your medications to your account with them; the pharmacy can break down your copays into multiple monthly invoices.
Compassion Fund
Healthcare facilities may have a compassion fund to help with unexpected and costly medical expenses. You can also reach out to your social network and community for assistance. For example, a religious organization may have similar funds set aside to assist with expensive medications.
PharmacyChecker’s Takeaways
As you evaluate all your options for affordable medication access, please don’t hesitate to reach out to PharmacyChecker directly with questions.
While policy reform is necessary to address the public health concern of costly medicines, this new customs rule might make affordable access to quality, safe medications more difficult. During this time of uncertainty, please discuss your concerns with your pharmacy and prescribers to determine the next best steps to limit gaps in care and safely take your medications.
You can also contact members of Congress about protecting access to personal prescription drug importation. The Campaign for Personal Prescription Importation created an easy tool for you and your prescribers to take action to preserve this lifeline.
Read related stories and share your own
Here are related posts published on Ask PharmacyChecker:
- Where do this psychiatrist’s patients turn for affordable medicine if the U.S. stops access via international mail order?
- “A Significant Blow”: Physician Responds to Concerns CBP and FDA May Block Personal Prescription Drug Import
- Dallas Woman Pays $10 a Week for Medicine From Canada. She Could Soon Face $1,100.
We encourage you to contribute your thoughts on the importance of international pharmacies and access to affordable medicines. Please share your story so we can continue to amplify the lifeline personal prescription importation has provided for the last 25-plus years.
