Preparing For First Trip Back To The Usa As An Expat

[Jingthing]

I use a number of prescribed meds. They were all prescribed by a US doctor (years ago) and I have the original US scrips. However, here in Thailand, I buy all my meds at Fascino and no prescriptions are needed. Also, the brand names are all different and in some cases even the med itself has been substituted for an equivalent available here. Plus of course I just buy boxes of meds, my name is not on the bottle as is standard for US prescription meds.

So I am worried that the US customs people will take away my medications, or worse.

What to do? One idea I had was to go to a Thai doctor and get him to write scrips for all my meds and doses in the brand names I use now. Still, I would still have boxes of pills, without my name on the package.

Any experiences or suggestions to report about this issue? If my meds are confiscated, it will cost me thousands of dollars in the US to see a doc, get lab tests, and pay retail US prices, as I no longer have a relationship with a US doctor.

Edited January 19, 2008 by Jingthing

[swain]

I use a number of prescribed meds. They were all prescribed by a US doctor (years ago) and I have the original US scrips. However, here in Thailand, I buy all my meds at Fascino and no prescriptions are needed. Also, the brand names are all different and in some cases even the med itself has been substituted for an equivalent available here. Plus of course I just buy boxes of meds, my name is not on the bottle as is standard for US prescription meds.

So I am worried that the US customs people will take away my medications, or worse.

What to do? One idea I had was to go to a Thai doctor and get him to write scrips for all my meds and doses in the brand names I use now. Still, I would still have boxes of pills, without my name on the package.

Any experiences to report for this issue? If my meds are confiscated, it will cost me thousands of dollars in the US to see a doc, get lab tests, and pay retail US prices, as I no longer have a relationship with a US doctor.

Go to a Doctor ...in Thailand... get him to give you the prescriptions for the drugs YOU KNOW you cant get over the counter in the USA. I think the rule is 90 days worth of drugs are allowd to be brought back..(I could be wrong about this so check) I would push it a bit. But with the script you should be ok... unless its all sleeping pills and valium.. then yes.. I think you will have a problem.

[LomSak27]

I think the rule is 90 days worth of drugs are allowd to be brought back..(I could be wrong about this so check) I would push it a bit.

Indeed as Swain posted unless it is sleeping pills, high power pain killers etc, there will be no problem. I take a number of prescription drugs and have never had a problem with immigration/customs when I come back. It's your right to take care of yourself - period. Be polite but take no guff from these swine at immigration, you only encourage them.

[Jingthing]

Thanks, I can't get any of them OTC in the US. I was already going to go to a Thai to write Thai scrips, but do you still think it will be OK with the Thai scrips and the Thai OTC scrips without my name on the packages? The extreme measure (which of course I don't want to do) is go to a Thai hospital and have them put my entire supply in those Thai hospital plastic bags with your name on it. I am sure that would be accepted, but the cost would be much more than Fascino plus the hospitals might make me take tests I don't feel I need right now to write the hospital scrips.

I don't take anything fun, so I am not worried of being accused of being a drug dealer.

And yes, if they did take away my meds, I would most definitely ask to speak to a higher up to appeal.

Edited January 19, 2008 by Jingthing

[realthaideal]

Hey Jing. I've had the same thoughts b4 when going home. But I always carry the original or photocopies of my old US doctor's intro letter that he wrote for me when coming to Thld. I do go thru a hospital but I have to with what I take. If you're thinking you need pills for more than 3 mo's, have the Doctor, who will most likely understand your deal/ time frame/ medicine requirements, write it out that you take more per day/mo than you currently do. Say you take one thing 2x/day. You know you need to be there in the US for 60 days, so have him write that you take 4x/day. Then get an Rx filled for 30 days under your new amount that you take per month - as you do this otc here, just make sure the letter and the total pill count adds up right. You should be just fine. I find Thai doctors to be reliable and willing to help me navigate my own US regulation n medical scene for my visits home, and they are often proud to help and not that US medical expenses are thru the roof. They sympathize with this quite well. Good luck.

[JSixpack]

do you still think it will be OK with the Thai scrips and the Thai OTC scrips without my name on the packages?

Just get the pharmacy to put your meds in their "pharmacy" plastic bags or bottles and write the name of the med and your name on the outside. Save the receipts. If the receipts don't have the pharmacy contact info, get the business card or letterhead. Also have the scrip from a doc. Sorted.

[lopburi3]

Medication

Rule of thumb: When you go abroad, take the medicines you will need, no more, no less.

Narcotics and certain other drugs with a high potential for abuse—Rohypnol, GHB, and Fen-Phen, to name a few — may not be brought into the United States, and there are severe penalties for trying to do so. If you need medicines that contain potentially addictive drugs or narcotics (e.g., some cough medicines, tranquilizers, sleeping pills, antidepressants, or stimulants), do the following:

* Declare all drugs, medicinals, and similar products to the appropriate CBP official.

* Carry such substances in their original containers.

* Carry only the quantity of such substances that a person with that condition (e.g., chronic pain) would normally carry for his/her personal use.

* Carry a prescription or written statement from your physician that the substances are being used under a doctor's supervision and that they are necessary for your physical well being while traveling.

U.S. residents entering the United States at international land borders, who are carrying a validly obtained controlled substance (other than narcotics such as marijuana, cocaine, heroin, or LSD), are subject to certain additional requirements. If a U.S. resident wants to bring in a controlled substance (other than narcotics such as marijuana, cocaine, heroin, or LSD) but does not have a prescription for the substance issued by a U.S.-licensed practitioner (e.g., physician, dentist, etc.) who is registered with, and authorized by, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) to prescribe the medication, the individual may not import more than 50 dosage units of the medication into the United States. If the U.S. resident has a prescription for the controlled substance issued by a DEA registrant, more than 50 dosage units may be imported by that person, provided all other legal requirements are met.

Please note that only medications that can be legally prescribed in the United States may be imported for personal use. Be aware that possession of certain substances may also violate state laws. As a general rule, the FDA does not allow the importation of prescription drugs that were purchased outside the United States. Please see their Website for information about the enforcement policy for personal use quantities.

Warning: The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) prohibits the importation, by mail or in person, of fraudulent prescription and nonprescription drugs and medical devices. These include unorthodox “cures” for such medical conditions as cancer, AIDS, arthritis, or multiple sclerosis. Although such drugs or devices may be legal elsewhere, if the FDA has not approved them for use in the United States, they may not legally enter the country and will be confiscated, even if they were obtained under a foreign physician’s prescription.

For specifics about importing controlled substances, call (202) 307-9932. For additional information about traveling with medication, contact your nearest FDA office or write to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Division of Import Operations and Policy, Room 12-8 (HFC-170), 5600 Fishers Lane, Rockville, MD 20857.

[swain]

He is not bringing in Heroin or a controlled substance so this really is of no use... if you have the page that has the personal use amounts then this might help the guy.

[Jingthing]

Good ideas here. I think Fascino would likely be willing to help me with those silly plastic bags because I do buy lots of meds there. I would probably ask them to write the docs name as well. If the customs people do bother me they will look funny, but hey, we can't all have the best health care system in the world, ha ha ha.

BTW, Fascino also has a discount card available, so if you are in Pattaya, you should check out Fascino on North Pattaya Road, they have the best selection and prices I have found in Thailand (even without the nominal discount with the card). I also trust them more that they are selling the real meds and stored properly.

Edited January 20, 2008 by Jingthing

[Livinginexile]

I use a number of prescribed meds. They were all prescribed by a US doctor (years ago) and I have the original US scrips. However, here in Thailand, I buy all my meds at Fascino and no prescriptions are needed. Also, the brand names are all different and in some cases even the med itself has been substituted for an equivalent available here. Plus of course I just buy boxes of meds, my name is not on the bottle as is standard for US prescription meds.

So I am worried that the US customs people will take away my medications, or worse.

What to do? One idea I had was to go to a Thai doctor and get him to write scrips for all my meds and doses in the brand names I use now. Still, I would still have boxes of pills, without my name on the package.

Any experiences or suggestions to report about this issue? If my meds are confiscated, it will cost me thousands of dollars in the US to see a doc, get lab tests, and pay retail US prices, as I no longer have a relationship with a US doctor.

What drugs are you wanting to import back to the US?

[rken]

I have had no problems with prescription medications when entering the US. I first came to LOS for dental work and took back pain killers and antibiotics when I returned. They were in the plastic bag from the dentist without my name on them and there was no problem. I just declared them at customs. I have traveled many times since with other medications and have had no problem with medications bought at the local Pharmacies. Most were marked and in baggies and others were foiled wraps.

When returning from mexico a few years back I brought a variety of medication with me for relatives. They included everything from antibotics to birth control pills. I didn't declare them and customs found them. They told me I was very bad and sent me on my way with the medications. I suggest declaring them. The worst that will happen then is they get conficated. Hope this helps.

[lopburi3]

He is not bringing in Heroin or a controlled substance so this really is of no use... if you have the page that has the personal use amounts then this might help the guy.

Did you read my post?

If a U.S. resident wants to bring in a controlled substance (other than narcotics such as marijuana, cocaine, heroin, or LSD) but does not have a prescription for the substance issued by a U.S.-licensed practitioner (e.g., physician, dentist, etc.) who is registered with, and authorized by, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) to prescribe the medication, the individual may not import more than 50 dosage units of the medication into the United States.

[Ijustwannateach]

I usually ask my doc here to write a prescription. If you don't have a doc here, it's a good time to find one.