Mail order delivery of medications during COVID-19 pandemic
April 20, 2020
Patient safety and access to daily maintenance medications are among the top priorities of the Canadian International Pharmacy Association (CIPA) members. Our Standards of Practice cover all aspects of ordering including prescription review, oversight of dispensing by pharmacists in licensed pharmacies, and safety during shipment. While COVID-19 is affecting people worldwide and disrupting many normal business procedures, CIPA members are taking all reasonable steps to ensure that orders are filled and deliveries arrive as quickly as possible during the current unprecedented circumstances.
CIPA members continue to fill maintenance medication orders for personal use upon receipt of a valid prescription, and members are working with suppliers and patients to do their best to have prescription drugs delivered. Currently, the cancellation of flights is impacting delivery times but we understand that orders are being delivered. We ask for your patience as we address any delays. For specific information about current delivery times, please contact your preferred CIPA member directly.
We have also consulted with health authorities to determine that there is likely a very low risk of spread of COVID-19 from products or packaging that are shipped over a period of days or weeks. Both the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Public Health Agency of Canada have confirmed coronaviruses generally do not survive the length of time it takes to deliver a package by mail, and new research indicates that the virus will not last more than 24 hours on cardboard in which medications are shipped. The risk of spread from products shipped over a period of days or weeks at room temperature is very low.
To learn more about COVID-19 and what CIPA members are doing to ensure your safety, please visit our FAQ page.
