Hi,
I am moving to Ontario from New Zealand on a work visa.
I have an existing ADHD diagnosis and history of prescriptions from New Zealand, but as my medication is a controlled substance in Canada I can only bring a 30 day supply with me.
I understand that I will not be able to get a new prescription in Canada from something like a walk-in clinic, as I do not have a Canadian diagnosis, and it is a controlled substance (my understanding is they prefer a family doctor to first prescribe this kind of medication).
I will not have access to OHIP until I get a job, which I expect will take longer than the 30 days of medication I will have. I also would rather not spend the time and expense on a lengthy Canadian diagnosis via an online specialist provider, which seems unneccessary (and I expect will take longer than 30 days).
I believe having a Family Doctor without OHIP, and having them prescribe me medication based on an appointment with me and me providing them with evidence of my overseas diagnosis and prescription history, may be the best option? I am hoping you would be able to confirm that is possible, or to have an alternative suggestion to how I can maintain access to my medication. Thank you!
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Hi there,
Thank you for sharing your question and situation with us.
We called Ontario Health’s helpline 811, and they had a few recommendations for this situation.
It is possible that a Canadian physician can prescribe ADHD medication based on an existing overseas diagnosis and documented treatment history, without requiring a completely new ADHD assessment. However, prescribing decisions will be made at the discretion of the individual physician.
You do not necessarily need OHIP coverage to see a family physician. Many clinics accept uninsured patients on a self-pay basis. A family doctor or a physician at a walk-in clinic may be willing to review your records and continue prescribing your medication.
Bringing documentation from New Zealand will be helpful. Documentation like your ADHD diagnosis, clinical notes of your medical history, and records of your current and past prescriptions would work to help a Canadian physician assess continuity of care.
Given your 30-day medication supply, we would recommend arranging an appointment with a physician as soon as possible after arriving in Canada so that you have a refill available when the month is over.
If you are paying out of pocket for a doctors appointment, you can ask your doctor to prescribe a certain amount of refills with your pharmacy until your next scheduled appointment as well. You may also want to browse articles in our Low-Cost Health Care and Private Insurance section on Settlement.Org to find low-cost community health clinics and explore private insurance options.
We hope this information is helpful, please follow up with us if you have any further questions.
Sincerely,
Your Settlement.Org Team
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Hi, welcome to Canada!
The Settlement.Org team covered the main points well. A few practical additions that might help given your 30-day window:
Walk-in clinics are worth trying sooner than you might expect. Some physicians at walk-in clinics in Ontario are willing to bridge-prescribe controlled substances for a short period when you present solid documentation from overseas — it’s discretionary, but it does happen. Bring everything: your diagnosis letter, clinical notes, and a printed prescription history if possible. The more complete your paper trail, the better your chances.
Telehealth Ontario (call 811) can also help you locate clinics in your area that accept uninsured patients, and some will see you within a few days of arrival.
If you’re settling in a larger city like Toronto, Ottawa, or Hamilton, community health centres are worth looking into specifically. They operate on a sliding-scale or no-cost basis for uninsured patients and often have physicians comfortable with continuity-of-care cases from overseas.
One thing worth knowing: once you start a job and your OHIP waiting period begins (it’s typically 3 months in Ontario), some employer benefit plans cover prescription costs immediately even before OHIP kicks in — so if your work visa role comes with benefits, check that on day one.
Good luck with the move — the 30 days feels tight but it’s very manageable if you book that first appointment in your first week.