New CBP rule could force seniors to pay thousands more for anxiety meds
An 81-year-old Portland resident who has bought Lexapro from Canada for decades says a forthcoming Customs rule would raise her annual cost from about $675 to roughly $6,300.
Portland’s Maida Uhlig has purchased the anxiety drug Lexapro from Canadian online pharmacies for two decades, paying about $675 annually out of pocket because her insurance only covers the generic version, which she says is ineffective for her. A new U.S. Customs and Border Protection rule, effective Oct. 22, will eliminate the exemption that allowed individuals to import prescription medicines through the postal system.
Uhlig projects that the same medication would cost her roughly $6,300 if bought in the United States, a price she cannot manage. Representatives, including Chellie Pingree, and groups such as the Campaign for Personal Prescription Importation argue the policy will force patients to either travel to Canada or forgo essential treatment, potentially creating a broader health-care crisis. The rule cites concerns about illicit drug shipments, though critics say it will not curb illegal imports while harming legitimate patients.
Why it matters
The rule could dramatically increase out-of-pocket drug costs for patients who depend on cheaper foreign prescriptions.
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