‘Go to Canada’: Trump Touted Americans’ Access to Cheaper Drugs. A New Rule Threatens It. The import regulation was set to take effect Oct. 22 but was pushed back three months. By Arthur Allen Oct. 22, 2026 (++++)

https://kffhealthnews.org/health-care-costs/prescription-drugs-fda-cheaper-imports-trump-canada-new-rule-customs/?utm_campaign=KHN%3A%20Colorado&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-_LRGlDIw4NlKct4JxHpRCRFZtVO4zzx51WZSB3__GqeFhl1kcoNsXFDOn_IadJdmG4bakXePk37e8jHW-1mDtpsi3LOw&_hsmi=446375587&utm_content=446375587&utm_source=hs_email By Arthur Allen Days before it was to go into effect, the Trump administration pushed back a U.S. customs rule threatening the supply of vital prescription drugs imported by millions of Americans. Under the rule, Customs and Border Protection and the FDA will require coding on packages that makes it easier to know what’s in them. It is aimed at collecting tariffs on even low-value imports, and at catching illegal drugs like fentanyl. It will also add costs and complex paperwork to each order. Now the regulation, which was set to start Oct. 22, is delayed until Jan. 20. https://www.cbp.gov/newsroom/national-media-release/international-mail-entry-type-13-mandatory-implementation-date?utm_campaign=KHN%3A%20Colorado&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-96wu-48R1h8UDpCV_0KdIw52JTVxpRYMHBRg9ovGBmIXqWjb4YggKPW6sQMs3l0ZQMXJA7PqaOiM-lbDg61YIFpQ24rg&_hsmi=446375587&utm_content=446375587&utm_source=hs_email While it is illegal to import most FDA-approved prescription drugs, the U.S. has allowed Americans to import legal medications in small quantities for personal use since 2003. The FDA rarely inspects the parcels. https://www.theregreview.org/2026/09/07/levitt-using-enforcement-discretion-to-permit-personal-drug-importation/?utm_campaign=KHN%3A%20Colorado&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-9GMWoCwzgKFFukzrWlfmsDA0JSrrO6hv9M-O81Ij3hhcdElvog3SafXeKb4vl3Jx5lM_FCESgsZq4Z2MnvqdfJpBLC3A&_hsmi=446375587&utm_content=446375587&utm_source=hs_email As Donald Trump campaigned in 2016, allowing people to import drugs was part of his platform. In his first term, President Trump let states buy cheaper drugs from Canada. He told Floridians at 2020 rallies that their state could “go to Canada” to obtain drugs for them. But while Florida and Colorado joined the importation program, neither state has brought in any drugs yet. https://www.fda.gov/drugs/importation-program-under-section-804-fdc-act/section-804-importation-program-policies-and-authorizations?utm_campaign=KHN%3A%20Colorado&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-8M3ZYOAJg-akjIE0trH_oPSdHPIdkyavjKkJLypXo6-tnaiGp-JgdgdD19Kr108x34sdUPmlrm0AjjSEF_jzP6ViF0GQ&_hsmi=446375587&utm_content=446375587&utm_source=hs_email