[ExI] Why is “cost of living” such a big problem?

Tue Nov 3 21:23:32 UTC 2026

From: John Clark <johnkclark at gmail.com> 
Sent: Tuesday, 3 November, 2026 1:11 PM
To: spike at rainier66.com
Cc: ExI chat list <extropy-chat at lists.extropy.org>

>…Spike, it is illegal for a US citizen who is living in the US to travel to Canada (or any other foreign country) and buy his prescription drugs there where they are MUCH cheaper and then return home. The MAGA people don't want that law changed. Do you?  John K Clark

Ja.  That should be legal.

Prompt: it is illegal for a US citizen who is living in the US to travel to Canada (or any other foreign country) and buy his prescription drugs there where they are MUCH cheaper and then return home.

Gemini:

Yes, technically importing prescription drugs into the United States from foreign countries like Canada is generally illegal under U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) rules—even for personal use—because most foreign drugs lack U.S. FDA approval or do not meet domestic labeling standards. [1 <https://triagecancer.org/can-you-legally-order-prescription-drugs-from-outside-the-u-s> , 2 <https://www.kshb.com/news/local-news/missouri/kansas-city/new-federal-rules-will-block-americans-from-importing-cheaper-medications-from-canada> ]

However, the legal distinction depends on how you bring them back:

*	In-Person Travel vs. Mail-Order: While ordering or receiving prescription drugs through international mail or online pharmacies has historically been illegal (and is facing much stricter enforcement under recent U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) rules), federal enforcement policies have traditionally exercised discretion regarding travelers carrying small, personal-use quantities (such as a 90-day supply) back across the border in person. [1 <https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC1618466/> , 2 <https://wwmt.com/news/nation-world/us-customs-and-border-protection-rule-cracks-down-on-canadian-prescription-drug-imports-cheaper-fda-approved-purchase-pharmaceutical-pharma-uninsured-underinsured-customers-money-health-care-costs-healthcare> , 3 <https://www.kshb.com/news/local-news/missouri/kansas-city/new-federal-rules-will-block-americans-from-importing-cheaper-medications-from-canada> , 4 <https://triagecancer.org/can-you-legally-order-prescription-drugs-from-outside-the-u-s> ]
*	The FDA's Personal Importation Policy: Technically, the FDA's stance is that nearly all imported prescription drugs violate the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act. In practice, FDA enforcement guidance has sometimes permitted personal-use quantities under specific, narrow circumstances (such as for a serious condition with no U.S. equivalent, provided it does not pose an unreasonable health risk), though border agents retain the authority to detain or refuse entry to unapproved pharmaceuticals. [1 <https://triagecancer.org/can-you-legally-order-prescription-drugs-from-outside-the-u-s> ]
*	Recent Crackdowns: Recent federal changes targeting mail shipments and de minimis import exemptions have heavily restricted ordering cheaper medications remotely from Canadian or international pharmacies, though physical cross-border travel rules have different practical enforcement realities. [1 <https://www.sent-trib.com/2026/10/31/new-rule-prohibits-the-importing-of-personal-use-prescription-drugs/> , 2 <https://wwmt.com/news/nation-world/us-customs-and-border-protection-rule-cracks-down-on-canadian-prescription-drug-imports-cheaper-fda-approved-purchase-pharmaceutical-pharma-uninsured-underinsured-customers-money-health-care-costs-healthcare> ]

John do you know anyone who has been prosecuted for bringing home 90 day supplies?  I know plenty of people who go to Mexico for meds but I have never heard of anyone being prosecuted for it.

Drugstores: those are under heavy regulations.  What I don’t know and Gemini didn’t say is if the restrictions are merely regulations made by the FDA or if it is law passed by congress.  If congress never acted on that, it isn’t a law, so nothing needs to be changed.

spike

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