Q. I have heard that generic Viagra is on its way and will soon be introduced in the United States, but I’ve heard that it’s already been on the market in a number of other countries, including Canada, the member countries of the European Union, and China. If I travel to one of those countries, can I legally purchase a Viagra generic and bring it back to this country?
A. Technically, it is illegal to import prescription drugs — particularly those that are not yet legal here — from outside the country. In practice, however, customs agents tend to look the other way when the amount of the drug being brought into the country is of an amount consistent with personal use — usually a supply of up to 90 days. However, because it is illegal, you could well run into the customs agent who’s having a bad day and thus decides to confiscate your stash of generic Viagra.
You have no legal grounds on which to protest such a confiscation, and you’re out whatever money you spent to buy it abroad. We would recommend patience, because, in December 2017, generic Viagra is slated to go on the market in the United States.
The first generic formulation of the drug will come from the U.S. subsidiary of Israeli-based Teva Pharmaceuticals, which is the world’s biggest manufacturer of generic drugs. Another version of generic Viagra from Mylan will follow shortly thereafter, and within six months or so, the variety of generic Viagra available will increase even further.