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Forum Thread

Getting meds from Canada....

2,740 777 April 3, 2025 at 07:45 AM
I was looking over one of my medications earlier this year, and saw that I was paying about $700 for 90 days worth of pills. It is a diabetic medication that in the US, there won't be a generic for probably another 8 years, but there is a generic version in Canada.

We have high deductible health insurance, so we are responsible for the first ~$6K a year in costs, before insurance kicks in and pays everything else.

I noticed that for the same exact name brand medication, I could get it for $100 instead of $700, so I had my prescription sent up there. (Canada Pharmacy Pro)

Trouble is, I'm kind of unhappy with the results. I was hoping that I could submit my prescription, put my credit card on file, and it would automatically ship from Canada, and take maybe a week to get here, since I live in a state right up against the Canada border. Nope.

Instead, it turned out that I needed to manually create the order before anything happened.. Next, I had to copy the info from one of my checks to use an "e-check" to pay, because they don't take credit cards.

Finally, the order went through, and then I got a notification that the medication was shipping from India and would take 3 weeks to get here. What the heck?

Can anyone recommend a place that:

A) will let you put your credit card on file for payments, then ship when ready
so you won't run out

&
B) that has stock in Canada and actually ships from there

This was my very first try to save some bucks on medications, and it didn't work out that great. The potential savings on this single medication represents nearly a tenth of what I earn each year, so I think it is worth doing. I just don't want to wait while the meds cross an ocean, and I really won't want to have to mess with copying check info all of the time, and generating orders for medications manually.

Thanks for any suggestions, especially any based on personal experience!
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Joined Jul 2003
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DC
04-03-2025 at 07:52 AM.
04-03-2025 at 07:52 AM.
I don't know of an alternative, but I'm thinking that now you have started the process, you know to pad your order by a good 21 days to allow for shipping time and you should be good to go from here on out.

What is the Med that you are taking if you don't mind saying?
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Joined Mar 2009
Schrödinger's Frog
> bubble2 19,408 Posts
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Frogstar
04-03-2025 at 08:24 AM.
04-03-2025 at 08:24 AM.
Quote from DC :
I don't know of an alternative, but I'm thinking that now you have started the process, you know to pad your order by a good 21 days each time to allow for shipping time and you should be good to go from here on out.

What is the Med that you are taking if you don't mind saying?
Iagree
Doesn't sound that atrocious given the considerable savings involved. It's a 90 day supply, so would only need to deal with it a few times per year.
I expect them not accepting credit cards is part of the savings, since they won't need to absorb/pass on the CC fee.
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Joined Nov 2006
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> bubble2 8,237 Posts
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LC2
04-05-2025 at 10:45 AM.
04-05-2025 at 10:45 AM.
Quote from slugbug :
I was looking over one of my medications earlier this year, and saw that I was paying about $700 for 90 days worth of pills. It is a diabetic medication that in the US, there won't be a generic for probably another 8 years, but there is a generic version in Canada.

We have high deductible health insurance, so we are responsible for the first ~$6K a year in costs, before insurance kicks in and pays everything else.

I noticed that for the same exact name brand medication, I could get it for $100 instead of $700, so I had my prescription sent up there. (Canada Pharmacy Pro)

Trouble is, I'm kind of unhappy with the results. I was hoping that I could submit my prescription, put my credit card on file, and it would automatically ship from Canada, and take maybe a week to get here, since I live in a state right up against the Canada border. Nope.

Instead, it turned out that I needed to manually create the order before anything happened.. Next, I had to copy the info from one of my checks to use an "e-check" to pay, because they don't take credit cards.

Finally, the order went through, and then I got a notification that the medication was shipping from India and would take 3 weeks to get here. What the heck?

Can anyone recommend a place that:

A) will let you put your credit card on file for payments, then ship when ready
so you won't run out

&
B) that has stock in Canada and actually ships from there

This was my very first try to save some bucks on medications, and it didn't work out that great. The potential savings on this single medication represents nearly a tenth of what I earn each year, so I think it is worth doing. I just don't want to wait while the meds cross an ocean, and I really won't want to have to mess with copying check info all of the time, and generating orders for medications manually.

Thanks for any suggestions, especially any based on personal experience!
Have you tried the manufacturer's site to see if they have a free or low income savings program for the med? Often times all you need is a doctor's letter saying you can't afford the medication and really it, and you'll get it free or at a steep discount.
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SpaceCallahan | Staff
04-06-2025 at 02:17 AM.
04-06-2025 at 02:17 AM.
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Joined Dec 2005
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SnakePlisken
04-06-2025 at 05:45 AM.
04-06-2025 at 05:45 AM.
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Joined Sep 2005
deal seeking cheapskate
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sampsonti
04-06-2025 at 01:29 PM.
04-06-2025 at 01:29 PM.
Have you looked into your states Medicare saving plan?.

Some states have really enhanced their benefits.
Sadly , most have not

Check your states Medicaid site. Look for MSP( Medicare saving plan) or QMB which is federal designation

Any questions DM me is this is what I do…. I am nor a broker.
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Joined Jun 2005
kyivindependent.com
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Original Poster
slugbug
04-06-2025 at 06:08 PM.
04-06-2025 at 06:08 PM.
Thanks for suggestions, everyone. I guess I just need to plan ahead, and set up an order 4 weeks before I need them. Eventually, hopefully I'll find a place that actually ships from Candada!
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