shipping prescriptions to the uk

what are the rules around shipping prescription meds to the uk from the us?

one of my prescriptions isn't available in the uk. it's something i take every day and really can't go without. i have a valid prescription in vermont that i can have somebody fill for me while i'm in england.

if it's a prescription in my name, being sent to me, is this going to be a problem? or should i try to come up with some other way to get my med?

thanks.

To be honest, I'm not sure what the rules are.

But as anecdotal evidence only....my parents once shipped me a 4-month supply of prescription meds via surface mail (I was only in the UK for 6 months at that time, so I wasn't eligible for the NHS.)  I was really worried about it, but it came through fine and was delivered just like any other package.

Although I am not a lawyer, I think that the relevant rules are under the Medicines Act 1968, from reading this you are good to go;

S7 (3) No person shall import any medicinal product except in accordance with a product licence.

But then better news;

13. Exemptions for imports. — (1) The restriction imposed by section 7(3) of this Act does not apply to the importation of a medicinal product by any person for administration to himself or to any person or persons who are members of his household, and does not apply to the importation of a medicinal product where it is specially imported by or to the order of a doctor or dentist for administration to a particular patient of his

Although I would still be careful unless you could satisfy yourself that if customs looked at the parcel and opened it (as is their right under law to inspect themhttp://) they would not think you are importing controlled drugs which would obviously be illegal (keep in original packing with possibly a copy of the prescription in the box would be my thinking)

Have you checked that the drug is not available under a different name in the UK first which your GP may be able to prescribe?

thanks for the info.

yeah, i've checked and the drug isn't approved in the uk yet. since my doctor and i have worked for the better part of three years getting a combination of meds that work for me, switching or dropping this one isn't really an option.

luckily, i'm still covered under an insurance policy over here until the end of the year. then i'm going to have to either pay for it in the states or figure something else out.

also luckily, i have a great doctor who will do whatever i need him to do.

i'll be coming over with a couple months' worth of pills, and i'm coming back here a few times before the end of the year, too. so i'll be covered at least part of the year, even if the shipments get confiscated for some reason.

i have the same problem.

my specialist in the states writes the scrip, my mom gets it filled for me & ships it over.

i couldn't care less if i'm breaking international drug-trafficking laws--if i do not have this medicine, i will wind up in excruciating pain. i cannot get it as a scrip in the uk, so i'll do whatever i need to do to get it. 

my mom packs the pill bottle with cotton balls, wraps the whole thing in paper towels & newspaper & ships it over with other stuff in a box.

please don't turn me in