Is it Illegal to Mail Prescription Drugs Across State Lines?

It is illegal for private citizens to mail drugs.

It may seem harmless to mail prescription drugs across state lines, even to yourself, but it is a violation of U.S. law. Mailing prescription drugs may be legal for a few professions in which it is necessary.

Identification

Private citizens cannot send prescription drugs through the U.S mail system, according to the U.S. Postal Service. Doctors, barbers, veterinarians and pharmacists may receive drugs from drug manufacturers or licensed dealers.

Function

You cannot mail drugs across state lines because of uncertainty about the origin and quality of drugs entering another state, according to the Food and Drug Administration. Enforcement of mailing drugs, however, is lax in the U.S.

Tip

If you receive prescription drugs from the manufacturer or licensed agent, you can usually ship it back, according to the U.S. Postal Service. You can only mail it back in a secure container provided by the manufacturer.

References

• Mayo Clinic: Buying prescription drugs online: The do's and don'ts
• United States Postal Service: Mailability
• Food and Drug Administration: Buying Prescription Medicine Online: A Consumer Safety Guide