“A Significant Blow”: Physician Responds to Concerns CBP and FDA May Block Personal Prescription Drug Imports

“This is a significant blow to the rights of U.S. citizens and residents,” wrote Ramana Gopalan, MD, MPH, an internist practicing in Baltimore, Maryland, in the wake of reports that U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), and its implementation with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), could block personal-use prescription drug shipments under new international mail procedures taking effect October 22, 2026.

Dr. Gopalan was responding to PharmacyChecker’s September 17 press release calling on the FDA to continue exercising reasonable, risk-based enforcement discretion for prescription medicines imported by Americans for their own use: 

PharmacyChecker Urges FDA to Preserve Personal Prescription Drug Importation Under New CBP Rule

The new CBP rule does not itself establish a ban on personal prescription drug importation; however, according to the Campaign for Personal Prescription Importation (CPPI): 

CBP is taking a new stance claiming personal prescription importation doesn’t comply with FDA guidelines – even though FDA has permitted personal medicine importation for decades.”

The consequences could be significant for Americans who rely on licensed pharmacies abroad because they cannot afford the domestic price of their prescribed medicines.

International Online Pharmacies Are a Lifeline for Americans Unable to Afford Domestic Prescription Drug Prices

Medication prices in the United States are unreasonable to the point of being life-threatening. 

Ask Shanon and William Schmidtknecht, whose son died in 2024 because he couldn't afford a sudden price increase on his asthma medication, or Rose Walters, whose fiancé died after not being able to afford his insulin. 

For decades, Americans have utilized personal importation to access affordable medications. Like the United States, other countries have advanced regulatory systems designed to protect drug quality and patient safety. The FDA itself recognizes and relies upon certain foreign drug regulators whose inspection systems it has determined are capable of meeting U.S. requirements.

In 2024, the late David Mitchell, founder of Patients For Affordable Drugs, described personal importation as a “safety valve” after his Medicare Part D plan would not cover the blood thinner Eliquis without first requiring him to try another medication. Mitchell said he used PharmacyChecker's verification and drug-price information when seeking a more affordable source for his prescribed Eliquis.

Mitchell, one of the country’s most prominent advocates for lower prescription drug prices, passed away in January 2026 after living with multiple myeloma for 15 years. His mission to make medicines more affordable lives on through the work of Patients for Affordable Drugs.

The concern now is that new federal procedures could constrict that safety valve. Any path to affordable medicine should be protected — not undermined. 

Protect patients who need personal prescription drug importation

Americans who depend on personal prescription drug importation should make their voices heard now. 

Prescription Justice, a nonprofit that advocates for policies that make lower-cost medicines accessible to Americans by protecting and expanding personal importation, has published a valuable resource addressing misinformation and common concerns associated with importing medicines for personal use:  Prescription Drug Importation: Myths and Facts 

We believe CBP and FDA should preserve a reasonable, risk-based approach to personal prescription drug imports, distinguishing medicines clearly intended for an individual patient’s personal use from shipments that pose a genuine threat to public health.

The Campaign for Personal Prescription Importation has an easy tool to send a letter to your representatives and make your voice heard. 

Please join Dr. Gopalan and take action today.