Why October 22 Could Change International Prescription Delivery

What could change?

The result could be higher costs, longer delays, reduced capacity, or interruptions in service. If pharmacies and shipping providers cannot establish a workable process, some affected U.S. orders may need to be limited or paused.

The new entry requirements will allow for explicit enforcementagainst pharmaceutical personal supply importation by CBP and/or other government agencies at mass scale.

The importer of record requirement is a major issue for prescription importation exemption – simply put, personal importation means that you, the end user, should be the importer. The new regulations require someone else to be – causing a poorly designed chain that will encourage enforcement action against these shipments instead of discretion.

Why personal prescription shipments are different

Most personal medication orders are relatively small and are filled one patient at a time. The prescription must be reviewed, the medicine dispensed, and the parcel prepared for a specific customer.

Adding a customs broker, bond, and expanded documentation to each parcel changes the economics and workload of that process. The cost and administrative effort may be disproportionate to the value of the order. A process that works for a commercial shipment containing thousands of products may not work for one patient's refill.

Why patients use licensed international pharmacies

Many patients turn to pharmacies outside the United States because the price of the same or comparable medication in the United States is unaffordable. Older adults and people who are uninsured or underinsured may be especially vulnerable.

If international prescription access is interrupted, patients may face sharply higher costs or difficult decisions about how to continue treatment. Patients should never change treatment or purchase from an unverified source because of a shipping concern.

What patients should do now

If you have a refill that is currently eligible, review it as soon as possible. Do not wait until your current supply is nearly gone. Orders need time for prescription review, dispensing, shipping, and arrival at the border.

Only order quantities allowed by your prescription and the dispensing pharmacy. If a possible interruption creates a health concern, contact your healthcare professional.

Calls to action: Review eligible refills | Open the four-action list

How CPPI supports patients

There is still time to act before these changes come into effect. CPPI organizes patients and supporters who want to protect access to affordable prescription medication. Its advocacy page helps patients send a prepared letter to their relevant congressional offices.

Submit your ZIP Code, review the prepared letter, and send it through CPPI's advocacy tool. You can also join the patient community for campaign updates.

Calls to action: Send a letter | Join CPPI - free

The bottom line

October 22 is not merely an administrative date. The new customs requirements may threaten the practical delivery system that connects U.S. patients with affordable prescriptions from licensed international pharmacies. Patients with eligible refills should act early and stay informed.