While drugs are behind a counter in Todos Santos, they don’t require a prescription. (Image: Kathryn Reed)
I’m not sure a well-stocked medicine cabinet (do people even call them that anymore?), is the same as an ounce of prevention. Nonetheless, I’m ready for almost anything.
Mexico and the United States are polar opposite in how they handle pharmaceutical drugs. I haven’t needed a prescription for anything I’ve bought in Mexico. While I had a script from the doctor after being bitten by a dog in May, that was really to tell the pharmacist what I needed – not permission to have the drug.
In fact, after consulting with my nurse practitioner sister, Pam, she told me to get a different antibiotic. Not a problem. The pharmacy sold me what I requested.
In the spring one of my sisters wanted prednisone. Again, not a problem other than needing to go to more than one pharmacy. A friend flew back to the U.S. with it. Customs didn’t care. The rules for bringing drugs into the U.S. include: keeping them in the original container, declaring them, only having an amount for personal use (so no selling the drugs), and a note from a doctor or actual prescription noting the drugs are being used under a medical professional’s care. Clearly, they didn’t ask for the latter.
Many pharmacies in Mexico advertise outside what is available inside. (Image: Kathryn Reed)
It isn’t just what people in the U.S. would think of as prescription drugs that are for sale at Mexican pharmacies. They also have sunscreen, nail polish remover and other items that a U.S. pharmacy has on the shelves. Anti-itch cream for mosquito bites is probably what I’ll buy most often. My usual U.S. over-the-counter purchases were Advil and Excedrin migraine. I know I can get the former at Costco. I’m guessing I could get some sort of migraine med at a pharmacy in Todos Santos, or maybe one of the bigger grocery stores in Cabo. Fortunately, no headaches since last August.
I know of six pharmacies in Todos Santos. This is for a town with a population of 6,000. It’s obvious they are trying to lure tourists in with signs saying they speak English and outside walls listing what’s available. NPR reports, “The U.S. government estimate that close to 1 million people in California alone cross to Mexico annually for health care, including to buy prescription drugs. And between 150,000 and 320,000 Americans list health care as a reason for traveling abroad each year. Cost savings is the most commonly cited reason.”
Besides being able to purchase birth control, Viagra, antibiotics and other drugs without being under a doctor’s care, people are going to spend a lot less in Mexico. The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development says individuals in the United States compared to people in all other countries spend the most per year on retail drugs – $1,200. According to Reuters, “U.S. prices for the world’s 20 top-selling medicines are, on average, three times higher than in Britain.”
This all made me start to wonder if perhaps I should load up on some drugs in Mexico, even though I don’t use many pharmaceuticals. I checked with Pam about which drugs would be good have on hand. She sent me a list: Zithromax-(Z-Pack), Keflex (cephalexin), prednisone, Diflucan, Macrobid, and Cipro. I showed the list to the pharmacist and he loaded me up. They were out of Macrobid. I also bought two tubes of pain relief cream similar to what my friend Sue had left. She had the prescription for an ankle injury. I kept it for my aching heals. I spent about $80 for everything. In some ways this seems like a ton of money for someone who doesn’t take many drugs. On the other hand, I know it was a fraction of what I would have paid in the U.S. under my last health plan. Now I just need to figure what to take when, or hope I never actually need what’s in the medicine cabinet.
Very interesting, Kae. I’m going to pass this on to my nurse-practitioner daughter Sherry as she will be fascinated with your findings in Mexico. Maybe it’s worth a trip south of the border to fill up, right?
Hi Kae,
Everything you say is true. My biggest concern is with antibiotics being used indiscriminately thereby increasing the chances for bacteria to develop and mutate into more resistant strains. This is a huge problem and has been since my days in dental school.
Your article on our four legged friends reminded me of how they controlled the dog population in Bahia de Los Angeles. On one of the Flying Samaritans monthly visits there were dead dogs all over the place. I inquired why and was told this is how they control the doggy population.
Poison. It made me sick.
Don’t forget to remind us when you will be in SLT with your book.
Thanks,
Ken
I SO AGREE WITH THE OVERUSE OF ANTIBIIOTICS
GO AWAY MORON. You probably think any antibiotic is poison. For the rest of us we are JUST FINE travelling to MX- due to our BROKEN health care system.
I understand
jdb091909@gmail.com
I have crushed disks in my back and us doctors won’t give me oxicotin. They want me to do shots in my back and I am 60. No! Can you help me?
Go to pain management. They have more leeway than Regular Dr.’s. Every single disc in my spinal cord is ruptured. I’ve had a bulging disc which cause me to fall a lot. I got the epidurals and when they wore off the pin was worse than ever. After that I refused epidurals. Then they gave me the pain meds. They’re pain management, they are there to stop pain. However, if your not sticking to the regular instructions and are taking more than they prescribe the government ties their hands. Dr.’s these days are afraid, really afraid. Unless it’s a pain management Dr. or psychiatrists(they don’t do pain meds)you can’t get help. The government has tied their hands. It’s going to get worse. All these young Dr.’coming out of residency into their own practice have had it drilled into them not to prescribe Percocet or anything like that. Forget Xanax. I got a packet to fill out. The first page was printed with high font, Roman type and bold. I do not prescribe Xanax. I have panic disorder and I need them. Why would anyone go to a Pychiatrist that can’t or won’t help.
Rose, Benzodiazepines are prescribed for anxiety or as sleeping aids. They include diazepam, lorazepam, alprazolam and clonazepam. They are commonly referred to as benzos or tranquillizers, and well-known brand names include Valium, Ativan and Xanax.
Jordan Peterson almost died from withdrawals of prescription Benzodiazepines. They are for very short term use only. I hope you’ll research it. I’m not saying you don’t need them, but I was horrified when I read what Peterson went through.
How do l find the list of medications available. Thank You.
I THINK ITS TIME TO LET OUR VOICES BE HEARD!!!! I WILL BE GLAD TO GET INVOLVED!!!! YOU MAY CONTACT ME @KDK020701@GMAIL,COM
I’m trying to find out if a medication I take is available in Mexico. Coated mesalamine 1.2 grams per tablet. In the US the cheapest I can get it for is $2200 for 360 tabs.
I guess I really need to find a list of drugs available in Mexico, most online searches take you to online pharma’s set up to sell common drugs.
Thank you
Hey Mike,
Did u find out if u can purchase Lialda in Mexico? I was on this site looking for the same answer and was surprised when I saw your question, but no reply from anyone. I have great insurance in the US but thinking about quitting my job and moving so I will lose my health insurance.
Me too.
I take several meds and if I can get them all a significant savings,that’s where I’m going.
This thing a bout pain meds is crazy. People who makeup all these rules no nothing a bout realpain if they did they would have a different story or different rules god bless all who are in pain not a good way to live your life
I’m 56 and have rods in my back for 18 years and all my back doctor gave me was tramadol which does nothing for me. Real people have real pain everyday all day.
I’d get Gabapentin! I have 5 level fusions and I hurt daily. I do not take any opioids but gabapentin does help
Gabapentin is one of the most addictive, worst to get off of, HORRIBLE drugs out there. Try Kratom!!!!!!
^^^THIS^^^
Kratom has been a lifesaver for me!
Kratom is addictive. The side effects are negative
Sure, take a pill made from bacteria filled evergreen bushes dried on public walking surfaces that people and animals pollute. Do you think Indonesians who despise the USA care about getting you the finest addictive opioid like substance? Yes Kratom is a joke and I’ll gladly stick with my Gabapentin for nerve damage and avoid the nasty dirty bushes from Indonesia.
Our ex son in law has degenerative disc disease.
Drs said they could put rods in but it would be from his neck to his tailbone.
So for several years it was pain pills,then he decided to go without those.
Since the kids split Idk how he’s doing but I do wish him well.
He inherited this from his mother.Hisxsister also has the problem.
Sad.
Hi, can you recommend a good, trustworthy Mexican Pharmacy that you have used for prescription drugs? I would need to contact them by email so I need an email address. Do they have a website? Thanks much,
I am currently living in Guadalajara, Jalisco in Mexico. I am from Ferndale, Washington.
I have bought many prescriptions while here in Mexico and can give you some guidance. Feel free to email me.
Rubycastaneda17@gmail.com
Hi I live in Canada and im.very interested in how or if I can get what I need in Mexico. There is a huge shortage of Doctors where I live and I suffer with pain everyday. I have ms and also have been.in 2 car accidents. Can you help me find somewhere I can order medicine.online
Hi I live in Canada and im.very interested in how or if I can get what I need in Mexico. There is a huge shortage of Doctors where I live and I suffer with pain everyday. I have ms and also have been.in 2 car accidents. Can you help me find somewhere I can order medicine.online
KRATOM.
There is a medicine here called Lomitil and is an antidiarrheal. Here in Tulum you buy as much as you want at a large supermarket or Costco. In the US, it requires a prescription and is considered a “controlled substance” so when you pick it up you have to show id!
I’m looking for Xanax , how much would 90 2mg cost I live in U.S thank you dashing4doors@gmail.com
I know a few people who go to mexico about once a month buy over the counter antibiotics and they domt even need a drs note.
Estradiol 2mm and 90 day asap352 571 8342 asap
Can I get pergolide 5gm. for my cushing horses?
I took Kratom for 6 years and then started getting Grandmal Seizures that broke 7 Vertabrae in my back, shattered both my shoulders, broke my rt arm, and dislocated both shoulders backwards(twice)…DoNot Use-It will Help with Pain Until it will break You or Kill You.