Legallity of shipping unscheduled drugs?

[ironmics]

I don't think this post violates any rules, but if it does please delete it immediately and I'm very sorry. Swim was interested in obtaining some tramadol from an online source. Since tramadol is unscheduled and legal to posess without a prescription is it legal to have it shipped to someone? Oh also sorry if this has been posted before swim only searched for tramadol specifically, and he couldn't find anything.

[Pinkavvy]

It's not scheduled, but it is controlled to by prescription only; which means it could technically be illegal to order online. though since it is not illegal to posess it may slip by, whereas other prescription meds that are scheduled being ordered over the internet is being cracked down on.

[Nicaine]

The chances of getting busted are very low... if a drug is not controlled, then... well, it's not controlled. In other words, they aren't trying to control its distribution, and likely won't confiscate small quantities imported for personal use.

Fwiw SWIM has ordered non-scheduled meds many times from overseas without problems, including tramadol. Most of those times, the contents were printed on the package in plain writing.

[Bajeda]

Swim is rather confused as to the legality of non-controlled prescription substances, especially their purchase.

He understands that it isn't necessarily illegal to possess such substances (like tramadol) but is confused as to what the legal issues are surrounding purchase of such substances, such as through online pharmacies lets say.

Would anyone be able to clarify this for swim?

[ironmics]

Yea, he's kinda confused on the whole situation. He is going to order and risk it, since he's read about reliable sources that are much cheaper(almost half the cost) than getting his scripts completely legit.

[darawk]

The FDA has a policy of allowing you to import a "personal use" quantity of any non-scheduled prescription drug. I believe this is not actually the letter of the law though, just a question of enforcement.

But the chance of anything more than a seizure happening is essentially zero unless you're buying massive quantities of the stuff.

[zera]

I am almost positive that there is no law (or at least no federal law) against possession of an unscheduled prescription only drug. The legal issues come in distribution as only medical professionals are legally able to distribute a prescription drug.

[ironmics]

Yea that's where the problem arises, because swim wants to order at least 100 pills, which is only about 4 weeks worth for his back pain but could be considered a lot for some people.

[Nagognog2]

When something comes in through a Federal Juridiction - US Customs - if it is illegal by Federal Law, it can be confiscated. If it is outlawed by the state it is going to - the state authorities can be notified and allowed to pass on to the addressee. If the state gives a damn - busted upon delivery. For a small quantity of something few can pronounce, the possibility of being arrested is rather low.

Look into state law and Federal law.

[jesuswantsmeforasunbeam]

There was a televison show on in the UK a while ago, had a woman who was addicted to benzos and started to buy them from abroad. the show stated that buying them without a prescription is not illegal however selling them without a precription is.
Not tried to do it myself but im guessing theres a disclaimer on these sites that asks if you have a valid prescription in your country?

[jesuswantsmeforasunbeam]

sorry about the addition here- the problem they found in the documentary was that a number of companies were shipping out different products to that which were ordered, often just blank pills but also, and more worryingly, other medicines which would be a bit of a problem if youre expecting one thing to arrive then finding you have taken something else (and possibly dangerous) instead.

[senorsalvia]

Swim has not looked around at the overseas pharm sites in quite some time. That said, it used to be that there were a number of sits that had a person fill out a brief questionaire and then the pharm sites doc would legally provide the asked for prescription... Alot of sites offered this service for free. Some chargedxxxxx USD for the script.... Not a bad way to cover oneself................ sal

[emineo]

Many states have passed legislation that prohibits distribution of prescription drugs from an out of state pharmacy.

This was done precisely for the reason stated above; a prescription being granted following a patient questionaire from a "doctor" which is then filled and sent from out of the country, or another state.

There was a brief period late in '06 and early '07 where many Latin American vendors were unable to offer services for certain drugs because their distribution networks were made obsolete by the new laws.

Intrepid entrepreneurs that they are, they adapted. Some did anyway.

Point is, research your state law like Nagonog said. It changes far more frequently than federal and is lots more likely to affect your freedom.

Also, you may want to research some US Mail Code. Very interesting info in there, such as the procedures for delivering to hotels.

[baudmax]

Originally Posted by emineo

Many states have passed legislation that prohibits distribution of prescription drugs from an out of state pharmacy.

This was done precisely for the reason stated above; a prescription being granted following a patient questionaire from a "doctor" which is then filled and sent from out of the country, or another state.

There was a brief period late in '06 and early '07 where many Latin American vendors were unable to offer services for certain drugs because their distribution networks were made obsolete by the new laws.

Intrepid entrepreneurs that they are, they adapted. Some did anyway.

Point is, research your state law like Nagonog said. It changes far more frequently than federal and is lots more likely to affect your freedom.

Also, you may want to research some US Mail Code. Very interesting info in there, such as the procedures for delivering to hotels.

SWIM never had a problem with ordering prescription meds mail order (been ordering things for about 5-6 years now, delivered to both NY & VT). Although SWIM must point out that SWIM never orders anything scheduled. SWIM had one large package opened/inspected by customs, but it got delivered anyway (this was pre-Bush). Bush had Customs crack down, due to corporate pressure from the pharm industry due to profit losses, and they stepped up seizure of orders (none of SWIMs were ever seized). With the Dem congress, Customs has stopped seizing personal amounts (typically, 90 day supply), as per the original policy for personal use. SWIM's oversea pharmacy will reship free after 2 weeks if seized by Customs, same as most RC providers. The more people continue to order of anything, the better, as it swamps the system with packages. Bury them in little boxes, says SWIM! The more the merrier!

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