qbird
material girl
Reged: 09/02/02
Posts: 826
Loc: USA
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Is it legal to buy meds from an overseas OP like Speedrx for example? I have read mixed opinions and now I am confused. Some say it is legal and others say you will be arrested. If it is not legal, how do they stay in business and why do people order from them? Sorry for all the questions, but I am new to all of this.
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scooby_doo
Journeyman
Reged: 08/07/02
Posts: 87
Loc: eastern U.S.
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No, it's not legal but there's a lot of money to be made by online pharmacies from americans that can't get them any other way. The post office will confiscate them if they find out but it's hard for them to prove YOU broke the law.
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Anonymous
Unregistered
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Its like is it legal to go 30mph in a 25mph speed zone.
You do it but shouldn't. Or is that you do it cause it should be 30mph. Who knows we just do it. 
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toky20
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 03/17/02
Posts: 1347
Loc: Windy Place
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DB provides a lot of info and relevant links on their members page. It's worth your time to read up on the laws, as there are always rumors floating about. The bottom line is that yes, it's illegal to import drugs to the US. Other countries have their own laws. These overseas OPs stay in business because they offer what people want and usually have a much better price than brand-name, with very similar results.
Here's a link to get you started:
https://drugbuyers.com/members/uscustoms/
Take Care,
Toky
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zeuzjuz
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 12/16/01
Posts: 1155
Loc: the milky way
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The gov. is much more interested in putting some kind of controls in place to control the whole issue of overseas pharmacies exporting medicines to U.S patients.... They are not very concerned with the customers themselves, it would be nearly impossible to put a stop to the whole business of OP's as long as there are websites and mailorder pharmacies overseas that are willing to send medicines to patients in the U.S. However, as someone noted earlier - Customs will occasionally 'confiscate' packages of meds coming from overseas and issue a warning letter to the customer - kind of to make an example I guess, that it is looked down upon. But there are thousands upon thousands upon thousands of people using the overseas pharmacies - the gov is much more interested in using the FDA to try to put controls in place on what is being exported, and how the process all works, than they are interested in getting single customers in any trouble that are just trying to order one months' supply of a medication. As long as businesses are running on the internet, someone is going to order from them. And the average consumer has no idea what all the complexities of the whole business are..... I have been using domestic and occasionally international OP's for a while now, and I have seen so many conflicting stories that I am still confused.
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//zeuzjuz
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keystone
Veteran
Reged: 09/05/02
Posts: 586
Loc: Arizona, USA
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I do not know about controlled meds, but you CAN NOT be arrested or charged with possession of a non-controlled substance, for example from Pepcid to Augmentin to Ultram.
They may detain your meds because it specifically says in the law: 'You must put in writing with your package that it is a 90-day supply, name of med, it's non controlled, you are not going to distribute, it is for an existing condition etc... You can look all this up at fda.gov...if I had time I would give you the link. Often when I order from overseas, I tell them to put that 'letter' (they know about it) in the pkg. I have never had a detainment in 100+ imports.
That is why some 'legal' packages will get detained, because that info isn't put in the shipment. Some companies do this for you, though (pharm.int'l) so in case it is opened you are ok. Most of the times however, customs are cool if there is no documentation.
If it is a narcotic and they find it, they toss it. No question.
(FYI-My job is in gov't so I have to make sure I follow the laws)
I tell you all this because I have read many law books to keep myself and my friends safe 
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The greatest trick the devil ever pulled was to convince the world he never existed.
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keystone
Veteran
Reged: 09/05/02
Posts: 586
Loc: Arizona, USA
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! This is a sample letter that the Post Office advised !
DISCLAIMER:
THESE MEDICATIONS ARE FOR TREATMENT OF CURRENT ILLNESSES AND MEDICAL CONDITIONS
I AM A U.S. CITIZEN. AS SUCH I AM FOLLOWING ADVICE OF THE FEMA AND RED CROSS WHO HAVE ADVISED IN OBTAINING A 90 DAY SUPPLY OF THESE MEDICATIONS.
THE MEDICINES REQUESTED ARE NOT CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES AND DO NOT VIOLATE THE "CONTROLLED SUB. ACT - 21 U.S.C. 801 ET SEQ."
THESE MEDICATIONS ARE FOR MY OWN PERSONAL USE ONLY. THEY ARE PURE AND NON-CONTAMINATED SUBSTANCES WHO HAVE UNDERGONE INSPECTION FOR STRICT QUALITY CONTROL BY THE RESPECTIVE MANUFACTURERS.
THE MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL (XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX) IS AND WILL SUPERVISE MY CONDITION(S) AND MEDICATION PROGRAM.
NO PROMOTIONAL ACTIVITIES WERE UNDERTAKEN BY THE EXPORTER OF ENCLOSED ITEMS.
SIGNED,
JOE XXXXXXXX (412) XXXXXXXXXX
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The greatest trick the devil ever pulled was to convince the world he never existed.
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mamaw54
Member
Reged: 04/19/02
Posts: 120
Loc: tennessee
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thanks for taking the time to share this info with us. have a great day and make someone smile. 
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keystone
Veteran
Reged: 09/05/02
Posts: 586
Loc: Arizona, USA
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I just hope all of the false rumors fade about it being OK to buy narcotics just because it is from Thailand or something.
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The greatest trick the devil ever pulled was to convince the world he never existed.
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qbird
material girl
Reged: 09/02/02
Posts: 826
Loc: USA
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Thank you for your replies. I still really don't understand why foreign OP's place orders for citizens in the US if it is not legal. It certainly would not be worth big fines or anyone's freedom. The prices are really good and I do have a legal script for some items listed. However, I would not want to be a part of any illegal activity as I am a professional and a parent. I am confused about the importation laws since they say one thing and people are still getting their items seized unless they are ordering big amounts. I still am abit confused, and if anyone wants to PM me about this, it would be fine.
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Trampy
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 04/02/02
Posts: 1222
Loc: Southwest U.S.
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Well, U.S. law applies on U.S. soil and to U.S. citizens--in some respects, like for "sex tourism" and visiting Cuba, even when we're in foreign countries. Foreign OPs are supposed to follow the laws of their own countries ... they don't have to follow U.S. law, despite the threatening letters they get from the U.S. FDA. Read the disclaimers that most foreign OPs post: you are responsible for following the laws of your own country. They're not your mommy; they're in it for the money. The best way to learn about the law is to find out what the laws actually say and how they are interpreted in the courts, federal and state. Spend a few hours at www.findlaw.com . Probably the best way to get information is to do keyword searches of all the federal and state appeals court decisons they have there, or that they link to. Read up on your own state's laws and criminal cases. It's hard at first, and a dictionary sure helps, but anyone with a college diploma should be able to figure out most of it. Find some newsgroups for lawyers and ask questions if you need help. Then get out and vote.
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Your mileage may vary ...
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ImodiumAD
Member
Reged: 06/26/02
Posts: 168
Loc: Calif, Bakersfield
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Isn't pornography in the 'grey' area because its a form of prostitution?? And in a certain county of Nevada prostitution is legal...
I also heard alot about Oregon laws on marijuana is alot different than most other states...
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ghost
Member
Reged: 06/29/02
Posts: 142
Loc: Southern/midwest, US
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US customs goes by whatever the federal law is on the importation of controlled substances. Since it is illegal, it's really not gray, just not enforced zealously (aside from seizures) because of lack of funds, manpower, and hopefully better things to do most of the time. I will say they aren't consistent in this at times since I used to hear regular stories about people receiving controlled meds that had been opened and sent on, but in those cases it was probably clearly a personal use quantity and whoever opened it didn't feel like doing the paperwork. This doesn't seem to happen much anymore if the substance is identified as a controlled drug here, whether it is sold OTC in other countries or not.
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arianna
Member
Reged: 03/09/02
Posts: 131
Loc: Upper rural Midwest
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Yep, like Trampy said, they are in it for the money! They hold NO responsibility if it lands on American soil & it gets seized, it's usually at YOUR risk only. I have had 1 seizure out of the three orders I placed Overseas and decided the stress of losing money/losing meds was not worth it. I only go through U.S. Ops for pain meds and my regular doc for my Zyrtec and Vioxx. I use PKW for Soma, it's just safer that way and no Feds will be knockin' at my door! (Hopefully!) ajs 
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coldfall
Stranger
Reged: 06/09/02
Posts: 23
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I really can't determine if its illegal or not, kinda depends on how you interpet it.
Bottom line is legal or not if you happen to be the poor sucker the Feds wanna make an example of then put your head between your legs and kiss your butt goodbye.
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Corrie
Board Addict
Reged: 07/16/02
Posts: 362
Loc: Southeast US
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I've been reading these boards for over a year now, and have seen a couple of posters say that they received a visit from the Feds in regard to their int'l purchase of scheduled meds. Personally, I think that there has to be some type of motive for the Feds to even investigate an individual, and this would most likely begin with intent to distribute. If they feel that the person who is purchasing meds is buying in quantity, or if they have been tipped off by someone about the situation, etc., this would lead to an investigation.
I'm certainly not saying that an investigation won't ensue if you don't have these factors going against you, just that it's unlikely. It doesn't make it right, but there comes a time when you have to weigh out the consequences and determine if ordering is worth it to you, even with the looming possibilities. If you're in serious, chronic pain, then the answer may be more clear.
I will say that from what I've read (especially the one ongoing thread here), it looked like the authorities thought that there may be an intent to distribute factor, instead of just personal usage of the meds. The person who was ordering could have had nothing to do with distribution, but they were led to believe one way or another that this was the case, and decided to investigate. This person could also have been ordering large amounts on an ongoing basis. There is not enough manpower or funds for the authorities to check out every suspected individual ordering from overseas, and there are NUMEROUS people who obviously do order internationally.
I'm not condoning it at all, believe me, but just offering some thoughts about it (and re-iterating what others here have said too).
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qbird
material girl
Reged: 09/02/02
Posts: 826
Loc: USA
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Thanks a bunch, yes that is sort of what I was wondering about what was not said about the people being arrested. If you buy a huge quantity then of course, that would be wrong. The meds I am considering purchasing, I do have a legal script from an area dr. and it would only be for myself as I am a professional with a family to support. A soon to be single mother at that. The prices at Speedy are wonderful if this place is legit, and I would save a bunch. That was why I was asking since I know some people out there have done this a while.
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