Can I bring my medicines?

You can bring your own prescription medicines into Canada, but only a limited supply, in the right packaging, declared at the border. After that you need a Canadian prescriber, and that can take time, so plan ahead.

What you can bring

Health Canada lets travellers bring prescription medicines for their own use. The general rule is up to a 90-day supply at the dose on the label, or a single course of treatment, whichever is less. If your move means you need more than that, plan to get a Canadian prescription instead of packing extra.

• Keep medicines in their original pharmacy packaging, with the label showing your name, the medicine and the dose
• Carry a copy of your prescription and a letter from your GP listing each medicine by its generic (non-brand) name, dose and amount
• Pack the flight’s supply, plus extra for delays, in your hand luggage
• The medicine must be for you or a family member travelling with you

Declare it at the border

Declare your medicines to the CBSA when you arrive, on the arrival kiosk or eGate, or to an officer. Declared items that are allowed are usually waved through. Failing to declare can lead to seizure and penalties. If in doubt, declare it.

Controlled drugs

Some medicines are controlled because they can be misused, such as strong painkillers, some sleeping tablets, ADHD medicines and some anxiety medicines. Canada lets you bring these too, within the same 90-day or single-course limit, but border officers look closely.

• Ask your UK GP or pharmacist whether any of your medicines are controlled
• Your letter should give your name, the medicine, the amount, dose and strength, and your prescriber’s signature
• A medicine’s legal status can differ between the UK and Canada, so check each one before you pack

Cannabis stays behind

Cannabis is legal in Canada, but taking it across the border isn’t, in either direction, even with a UK prescription for medical cannabis. This includes CBD products made from cannabis. Once in Canada, a Canadian health care practitioner can authorise medical cannabis through licensed sellers.

Getting prescriptions in Canada

Your 90 days can run out before you find a family doctor. See How does healthcare work in Canada? Your options:

Bring your UK medical records and a full medicine list. A Canadian prescriber may switch you to a local brand or equivalent, and some UK medicines are sold under different names or not at all in Canada.

Medical devices and supplies

• Bring needles, syringes and insulin pens with the medicine they go with, and your GP letter
• Blood glucose meters, CPAP machines and hearing aids can come in your luggage or shipment; check the plug and voltage (Canada uses 120V and US-style plugs)
• Don’t plan to have prescription medicines posted to you from the UK: personal imports by post face extra checks and can be refused, so get a Canadian prescription instead

Paying for medicines

Unlike in England, there is no flat prescription charge, and most adult prescriptions are not paid for by the provincial plan. If you have a workplace health plan, it usually pays most of the cost. Without one, you may pay the full price. Some provinces help people aged 65 and over, children and people on low incomes; Quebec requires everyone to have drug insurance. Ask your pharmacist the price before you fill a prescription.