More than 4 million Americans who purchase affordable prescription drugs will be able to continue doing so without navigating extra hurdles, but only until Jan. 20, Customs and Border Protection said.
CPB had planned to stop allowing prescription drugs to cross borders duty-free and with little to no paperwork on Oct. 22. Instead, these packages were to go through an automated process requiring documentation, tariffs and other specific product details the Food and Drug Administration requires.
The change effectively meant Americans, mostly seniors, who buy cheaper prescription drugs directly from pharmacies in other countries, including Canada, Australia, New Zealand and the United Kingdom, would no longer have easy access to necessary medications at affordable prices, pharmacy experts said. The changes could also possibly lead some to stop taking medication they needed, experts said.
The 90-day delay in implementing the new policy is welcomed to give people more time to prepare, but the larger problem remains, pharmacy experts said.
“CBP’s decision to delay its new rule gives patients a tiny amount of breathing room through the holidays, and we very much welcome it,” said Ken Hunter, executive director of the nonprofit Campaign for Personal Prescription Importation that advocates for Americans’ access to affordable and safe prescription drugs. “However, the CBP still intends to apply these dangerous requirements to all international mail shipments of personal prescription medication. With this slight extension, consumers are just one additional drug refill away from being cut off.”
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