Frequently Asked Questions
Safe Healthcare Project

1. When is it illegal to bring drugs into the U.S.?

2. What are the dangers associated with giving medications to others without a prescription?

3. Is it safe to see a doctor who has a medical degree from another country?

Answers

1. When is it illegal to bring drugs into the U.S.?
   It is illegal to bring large quantities of medication into the U.S., or any undeclared quantity of medication into the U.S. In other words, you may not smuggle medication into the country. It is only legal to bring medication into the country when you have a prescription for that medication. Even then, you may only bring the specified quantity that has been prescribed for you, and you must declare the medication prior to entering the country. Custom agents will be looking primarily for big smugglers of medication, persons attempting to bring large quantities of medications into the country, and persons attempting to bring in controlled substances such as Valium and Percodan.
    

2. What are the dangers associated with giving medications to others without a proper prescription?
   There are many potential dangers associated with giving medications to others without a prescription including (1) not knowing the proper dosage to prescribe a patient, (2) dangerous combinations with other drugs the patient may currently be taking, (3) allergic reactions to the medication, sometimes resulting in death, and (4) other severe interactions of that drug with foods that can cause negative reactions.
    

3. Is it safe to see a doctor who has a medical degree from another country? (ex: "I go to a neighbor who was a doctor from Guatemala. Is it still safe to see him for my medical care?")
   No--it is not safe to seek medical care from a doctor who is not licensed in the United States! Although a doctor may have a medical degree from another country, their skills and knowledge may not be comparable to the level required for doctors to practice medicine in the U.S. Also, without being able to verify how recently their license was awarded, there is no way of knowing whether that doctor is qualified to provide you with the best, most current treatment. Since knowledge about diseases and methods to prevent and treat these diseases continually change, your doctor should be required to keep up-to-date and receive more education as they practice medicine. It is best to seek medical attention from a doctor who has a license/title to practice medicine in this country and state.

Avoid counterfeit drugs with information from the Partnership for Safe Medicines in English, en español and 中文版. Also, learn the real facts and dangers about buying drugs from Canada.

www.safemedicines.org