A Question for Canadian Snowbirds

[va3twt]

Hello;

I am considering becoming a full time RVer and have a question regarding prescription medicines. How do you get your medication when you are out of the country for 5 or 6 months at a time?

Any and all ideas are most welcome.
Gord

 

[Larry N.]

Welcome to the forum. Where is Tilbury in Canada? Is that a ham call for your name above?

I'm not a full timer, and don't have an answer, but I suspect that a little more description of "out of the country" might help others provide answers. Would it be in one place (mail can be easy) or moving from time to time???

 

[va3twt]

Welcome to the forum. Where is Tilbury in Canada? Is that a ham call for your name above?

I'm not a full timer, and don't have an answer, but I suspect that a little more description of "out of the country" might help others provide answers. Would it be in one place (mail can be easy) or moving from time to time???

Hi Larry. I am in Tilbury Ontario Canada, and I am considering wintering in a warmer climate in the USA. I would probably stay in one place as opposed to moving around. This is all new to me, so perhaps I needed to provide more information.
Gord

 

[Lou Schneider]

Many snowbirds get their medicines in Mexico, you can bring up to a 3 month supply back into the US. There's minimal hassle, if you don't have your prescription with you the pharmacist can write a receipt on the spot to satisfy US customs. You'll have to pay but the low prices may overcome the hassles of arranging to get them through your health plan. The only drugs you can't bring back are controlled substances (narcotics).

Algodones just west of Yuma is a popular choice for snowbirds visiting the warm desert southwest. It has more dentists, pharmacies and optometrists per square mile than anywhere else in the world - low prices and good quality are the draw. Many people make a day of it, parking their car in the large lot on the US side and walking across the border. Everything's within a few blocks of the crossing and the US dollar is the currency of choice. Do your shopping, then have lunch in one of the many restaurants before heading back. Make sure to bring your passport to get back into the US.

 

[Adventurous Traveler]

I needed to provide more information.

Welcome to The Forum.

The more info you provide to forum members, the better information you'll get back to help you out. Instead of just throwing questions out, try having a little forum personality, joining a great RV lifestyle online club that enjoys the many benefits of the lifestyle with many experts in almost every RV field.

 

[Rene T]

I understand you have Walmarts and Cosco in Canada. Try going to talk to one of their pharmacists and see if they can work something out. I know I have a CVS in NH and when I come to FL, they can transfer prescriptions from NH to FL fo me. Maybe it’s the same for Canada to the US.

 

[UTTransplant]

My pharmacy benefits allow a once a year “vacation modification” where I can meds in advance of when I am needing them because I will be out of the area. I have only used it when I wanted a prescription filled earlier than it would otherwise have been allowed, and I didn’t want to search for a pharmacy while traveling. Obviously your pharmacy system is radically different, but I do recommend chatting with your pharmacist first to see what they might recommend. It is my understanding that you can’t take a prescription from one country to another, but you can get Mexican pharmacists to coordinate with a Mexican doctor for a prescription. For the US, you would have to physically see a doctor, and it might not be covered under your out of country medical plan. That would be another thing to check.

 

[Adventurous Traveler]

Walmart idea and transferring scripts sounds possible. Hope the OP chimes in on what he finds out.

 

[RV_Lee122]

This may be of use, says they can ship you all your prescriptions before you leave

Get Prescription Medication for Canadian Snowbirds

Snowbirds, get fast, free delivery of your prescription medication. Up to 6 months supply to last you through the winter!

www.snowbirdadvisor.ca