How to Get a Prescription in Canada: Step‑by‑Step Guide

In this article, we break down the different types of medications and the steps required to get a prescription in Canada.

Quick Overview of the Canadian Prescription Process

This article is about prescription drugs in Canada, but not all drugs require a prescription. In Canada, there are two main classes of medications:

1. Over-the-counter (OTC) drugs: These drugs can be legally purchased by any consumer without written permission from a doctor.
2. Prescription drugs: These are drugs that are only meant for use by the individual to whom they are prescribed. To access these drugs, first you need a prescription from a doctor which you can bring to a pharmacy in Canada to have filled.

Let’s deep-dive into Canada’s riveting prescription drug industry, shall we?

Are your prescription drugs legal in Canada? Do they require a prescription?

First things first, how are your drugs classified in Canada? You can check the status of the drugs in Canada’s Prescription Drug List to determine if your medication requires a prescription in Canada. This way you can also ensure that the drugs found in your medications are legal in Canada, as trying to bring illegal drugs into the country would be a bad way to start off your Canadian adventure (unless you’re looking to do a tour of Canada’s criminal justice system).

Can I bring my prescription medication into Canada with me?

In general, Health Canada will permit you to enter Canada with the medication required for a single-course of treatment or a 90-day supply, whichever is less, of both prescription drugs and over-the-counter medication. You can do this for yourself and for anyone travelling with you who is under your care, including dependent children.

Of course, first follow the steps outlined above to be sure that your drugs are legal in Canada.

To avoid problems bringing these medications into Canada, the drug must be in hospital or pharmacy-dispensed packaging, the original retail packaging, or have the original label attached to it clearly indicating what the health product is and what it contains.

Prescriptions and Working with a Family Doctor

So, you’ve come to Canada and you’ve almost used up all the medication you brought with you? Well, now is as good a time as any to experience the rollercoaster ride that is the Canadian health care system!

You need a prescription from a Canadian doctor.

The first thing to understand is that you cannot use a foreign prescription to get prescription medication in Canada. You need to get a prescription from a Canadian doctor, otherwise the pharmacist will not give you the prescription drugs.

How, you ask, should you go about getting a prescription from a Canadian doctor? Well, you have a few possible routes:

1. Walk-in clinic (usually faster, short-term): A walk-in clinic allows patients to simply walk in and wait to see a doctor. If you need your prescription and you need it soon, you may want to go to a walk-in clinic. You can use Medimap to locate the walk-in clinic closest to you. However, walk-in clinics can have very long wait times. Be sure to take your foreign prescription so you can explain your needs to the doctor. Walk-in clinics are a great option for those in the country on a temporary stays, including temporary workers and tourists. As well, permanent residents who require care quickly can use walk-in clinics.
2. Family doctor (usually slower, long-term): If you are settling in Canada long-term, you should try to find a family doctor. This is a physician who can regularly see yourself and your family members and monitor your health longer term. Once you have a family doctor, they will be able to help you manage your prescriptions. Family doctors are organized at the provincial level, so you will have to consult with your provincial health authority to find out how to get one in your province. For more details, check out our guide on finding a family doctor in Canada. Pro-tip: Most provinces allow you to sign up for a waitlist for a family doctor, but this can take months or even years. It is often faster to contact clinics directly and ask if they are accepting new patients or to ask friends if their doctors are taking on new patients.
3. On-campus doctor (international students): If you are an international student in Canada, your school may have doctors available on-campus, or they may have an existing relationship with a clinic nearby. You should consult with your school to see if they can guide you as to where to go to get a prescription.
4. Private telehealth providers. More medical services are available online than ever before. Canada has several legitimate providers of telehealth, including companies like TELUS Health, Maple, Rexall, and more. Through these services, patients can access medical care online, including doctors appointments and prescriptions. However, these services can be expensive (double-check your insurance coverage). As well, there are many fraudulent online providers, so be sure to verify the legitimacy of any company before working with them.

Please note that if ever you are experiencing a medical emergency or require immediate care, you should call 9-1-1 or go to the Emergency Room at your nearest hospital.

Choosing a Legitimate Canadian Pharmacy or Online Pharmacy

Once you have a prescription from a Canadian doctor, next you need to fill that prescription. This step is relatively simple, but a bit of planning can help save you some hassle.

Locating a Canadian pharmacy near you

There are legitimate pharmacies located all across Canada. Many grocery stores include pharmacies (like Loblaws, Sobeys, etc.) as do many large retailers (like Walmart, Costco, etc.). There are also many standalone pharmacies (like Shoppers Drug Mart). Simply look up the pharmacies closest to you to determine what’s most convenient.

Using an Online Pharmacy

In recent years, online pharmacies (like PocketPills) have become more popular in Canada. While online pharmacies can be more convenient than an in-person pharmacy, if you choose to work with an online pharmacy, you need to be cautious to ensure the pharmacy is legitimate.

Some online pharmacy websites may look trustworthy but be scams. 74 percent of online pharmacies in North America are not trustworthy. You must always double-check to ensure an online pharmacy is legitimate. According to the Government of Canada, an online pharmacy may be fraudulent if it:

• Doesn’t require a valid prescription
• Offers drugs at very low, too-good-to-be-true prices
• Offers ‘miracle cure’ drugs
• Can ship medications worldwide
• Doesn’t provide a street address in Canada

If in doubt, consider working with an in-person pharmacy to ensure the legitimacy of your medications.

You can verify if an online pharmacy is legitimate by checking with the provincial pharmacy regulatory authority. Find a safe online pharmacy.

Can you get an online prescription from an online doctor?

In our current digital age, it is possible to get medical care, including prescriptions, online. This means that you can work with an online doctor to get an online prescription in Canada. However, there are many online scams, so you need to be extra careful to ensure you only work with legitimate healthcare providers.

There are certain recognized telehealth providers in Canada. Companies like TELUS Health, Maple, Rexall, and more. It’s important to verify the legitimacy of any company before choosing to work with them.

As well, online medical providers often charge fees for their services. For example, Maple’s website quotes CAD $210 for a visit with an online doctor. Sometimes certain costs may be covered by insurance, but this depends on your insurance plan. Are you eligible for provincial healthcare coverage? Did you purchase private health insurance? Always ensure you verify cost and insurance coverage before confirming a service.

You should research the cost before you buy.

While Canada is known for its free universal health care system, unfortunately this does not always extend to prescription drugs.

If you are a temporary resident in Canada (visitor, worker, student) it is recommended that you have some kind of insurance. In many cases it is mandatory, as with participants in International Experience Canada (IEC) and international students. If you anticipate that you will require prescription drugs in Canada, be sure that you consult with your insurance provider in advance to determine which costs are covered and which costs are not.

If you are a permanent resident in Canada—congratulations!⁠—you have access to Canada’s publicly-funded health care system. Unfortunately, you still have to navigate the maze of prescription drug costs. Any prescription drugs that are administered while you’re in the hospital will be covered by the health care system, but any drugs that you get outside of the hospital setting — for example, prescription drugs you purchase at a pharmacy — will not be covered.

Some provinces have their own provincial prescription drug plans, so be sure you check with your provincial health authority to find out how to register for the plan and what is covered. As well, many employers in Canada offer health plans to their employees that cover some costs related to prescription drugs. Finally, sometimes you need to be living in a province for a certain number of months before you can access the provincial health care plan, during this time you may want to consider purchasing private health insurance.

It is important that you understand what and how much of the cost of prescription drugs is covered for you, because prescription medications can be costly and you should to be prepared so you can manage your health properly.

FAQ

How to get a prescription as a visitor in Canada?

To get a prescription as a visitor in Canada, first you have to speak with a Canadian doctor. You can do this at a walk-in clinic, with a family doctor, with an on-campus doctor (international students only), or via an online provider. For more details, refer to the instructions above.

How do tourists get prescriptions in Canada?

Tourist can bring up to a 90-day supply of their prescription medication with them to Canada, as long as their medications are legal in Canada. If you need more medication than this, you will need to book an appointment with a Canadian doctor to get a Canadian prescription for additional medication. Details on this process are outlined above.

What is the easiest way to get a prescription in Canada?

There are certain online telehealth providers (like TELUS Health and Maple) who offer same-day appointments with doctors who are able to offer prescriptions. However, these services are often expensive. For example, Maple quotes CAD $210 for an appointment with a doctor.

Walk-in clinics often provide same-day visits, but to get a visit you may have to arrive early in the morning and wait several hours.

More information is available above.

Do I need a prescription to buy medication in Canada?

You only need a prescription to purchase prescription medication in Canada. Certain drugs in Canada are available without a prescription (or “over-the-counter”). Verify your drugs before travelling to Canada.

Can a visitor see a doctor in Canada?

Yes, a visitor can see a doctor in Canada. However, visitors and tourists are not usually eligible for Canada’s publicly-funded healthcare coverage. This means that you may need to pay for medical services unless you purchase private health insurance for your trip to Canada.

Can I order my prescription online from Canada?

Certain Canadian prescriptions can be filled from online pharmacies in Canada. First, find a verified, reputable online pharmacy and contact them to verify the services provided. Be cautious, as many online pharmacies are fraudulent.

Can a Canadian pharmacy fill a prescription from another country?

No. Canadian pharmacies are only able to fill prescriptions issued by Canadian doctors.

For tons more information about the ins and outs of the Canadian healthcare system, check out our guide. Plus, for help with purchasing travel insurance for your time in Canada, take a look at our guide on travel insurance companies.

More Helpful Healthcare Resources for Newcomers to Canada

• New to Canada and not sure what insurance you need? Our article Coverage on Your First Months in Canada covers it in simple terms.
• Many people compare Canada to the UK. See how Canada’s healthcare system differs from the NHS and why it matters.
• Pregnant and planning to move? Learn how pregnancy affects visas and access to healthcare in Canada.
• If you are on maintained status, healthcare can be confusing. Read our guide Health Insurance While on Maintained Status in Canada.