Maine legalizes prescription drug imports

AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) -- Mainers will soon be able to legally buy mail-order prescription drugs from licensed out-of-country drug companies.

A new law that amended the Maine Pharmacy Act allows Mainers to save money by buying drugs through Canada's mail-order program called CanaRx and similar licensed programs in the United Kingdom, Australia and New Zealand.

The measure became law Thursday without the governor's signature. It goes into effect in 90 days.

Mainers for years participated in international mail-order pharmacy plans, but then-Attorney General William Schneider ruled in 2012 that the plans violated Maine law.

The new law authorizes the licensing of international mail-order pharmacies and allows consumers to import prescription drugs.