For patients and families
When a medicine is not available where you live, it can feel like there is nowhere to turn. We cannot supply you directly, but we can work with your doctor so the medicine reaches you legally and safely.
In short
MedsAcross does not supply prescription medicines directly to patients. If you need a medicine that is unavailable in your country, your treating doctor can request it for you. We verify the doctor, check the legal route for your country and send the quote to the doctor's hospital or another licensed consignee, never to you directly.
Why we work through your doctor
In the United States, the European Union and the United Kingdom, the rules on importing and distance selling of prescription medicines do not allow a foreign supplier like us to send them straight to a patient. Many other countries have similar rules.
Working through your doctor also protects you. The doctor confirms the medicine is right for you, a pharmacist checks the paperwork, and the hospital can monitor your treatment.
How the physician route works
Five steps, most of them handled by your doctor and us.
- 1
Talk to your doctor
Ask whether an imported medicine is an option and whether your country has a named-patient or special-access route.
- 2
Send us an enquiry
Tell us the medicine and your doctor's name and contact. Please do not send medical records at this stage.
- 3
We contact your doctor
We explain the route and the documents, and ask the doctor or hospital to make the request.
- 4
The quote goes to the hospital
It is addressed to your doctor's hospital or another licensed consignee.
- 5
Delivery to the hospital or pharmacy
The medicine is delivered to the licensed consignee, who dispenses it to you.
What we need from you
- The name of the medicine you need
- The country where you are treated
- Your treating doctor's name, hospital and contact details
- Your own contact details, so we can update you
What we cannot do
- Ship prescription medicines to your home
- Supply a medicine without a prescription from your treating doctor
- Give medical advice about your treatment
Legal routes
Rules differ by country and change over time. Each note cites a regulator or a published legal analysis. Your local regulatory adviser confirms the route for your case.
United States. FDA personal importation is enforcement discretion, not a right, and does not cover unapproved versions of FDA-approved drugs.
Source: US Congressional Research Service, FDA personal importation policy
European Union. Only legally operating, nationally authorised retailers may sell medicines at a distance, and member states may ban online sales of prescription medicines.
Source: European Commission, EU logo for online sale of medicines
United Kingdom. Unlicensed medicines are imported by a WDA(H) or MSL licence holder after notifying the MHRA, not by the patient.
Source: GOV.UK, notification of intent to import an unlicensed medicine
Card networks treat a seller of prescription medicines without licences in the countries it ships to as a rogue pharmacy.
Services for you
Questions and answers
Can my family pay for the medicine?
In some routes a family member can pay on behalf of the hospital. The payer is recorded on the export documents, and the medicine still goes to the hospital or licensed consignee.
My doctor has not heard of named-patient import. Can you help?
Yes. With your permission we can send your doctor a short explanation of the route in your country and the documents involved.
Is my information kept private?
We ask only for what we need to contact your doctor. Medical records are handled by the doctor and the pharmacist, and you can ask us to delete your data at any time, subject to legal record-keeping duties.
Can you tell me which medicine to take?
No. Only your doctor can advise on your treatment. We help with access once your doctor has decided.
Other buyers we serve
Start an enquiry with your doctor's details
Tell us the medicine you need and how to reach your doctor. We take it from there with them.