BajaNomad

Meds to Baja

weebray - 1-2-2014 at 12:47 PM

Has anyone had a drug that is unavailable in Mexico sent to them here in Baja by mail? We get regular albeit slow mail all the time but never prescription drugs. Not sure of the legal ramifications.

Wally - 1-2-2014 at 01:16 PM

What drug?

The chances are pretty good you can get it here and for less. It will likely be a Latin American version and a different name.

weebray - 1-2-2014 at 01:33 PM

Baclofen is the drug, generic for lioresal. Spanish name for the drug is Baclofeno. Tried everywhere in La Paz y Mexico DF.

Floatflyer - 1-2-2014 at 04:11 PM

Weebray...check your U2U.

pauldavidmena - 1-2-2014 at 04:30 PM

This question definitely interests me, as I'm on 3 blood pressure medications (Lisinopril, Atenolol, Hydrochlorothiazide) and one cholesterol medication (Simvastatin). At the moment I have them all mailed to me via "Express Scripts", but I'm guessing this won't be a particularly reliable method in Baja.

vandenberg - 1-2-2014 at 06:11 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by pauldavidmena
This question definitely interests me, as I'm on 3 blood pressure medications (Lisinopril, Atenolol, Hydrochlorothiazide) and one cholesterol medication (Simvastatin). At the moment I have them all mailed to me via "Express Scripts", but I'm guessing this won't be a particularly reliable method in Baja.


All available at Farmacias Similares outlets.

durrelllrobert - 1-2-2014 at 06:33 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by vandenberg
Quote:
Originally posted by pauldavidmena
This question definitely interests me, as I'm on 3 blood pressure medications (Lisinopril, Atenolol, Hydrochlorothiazide) and one cholesterol medication (Simvastatin). At the moment I have them all mailed to me via "Express Scripts", but I'm guessing this won't be a particularly reliable method in Baja.


All available at Farmacias Similares outlets.


I use the same ones and get them mailed to my Chula Vista PMB from Kaiser. Co-pay is A LOT CHEAPER than at Similares.

vandenberg - 1-2-2014 at 07:48 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by durrelllrobert


I use the same ones and get them mailed to my Chula Vista PMB from Kaiser. Co-pay is A LOT CHEAPER than at Similares.


I have no insurance for meds, so I'm on my own. However, on certain days of the week there is a 20% discount for purchases over $ 100 pesos, and since the pricing is very reasonable I doubt I could do better NOB. :saint::biggrin:

Kgryfon - 1-3-2014 at 12:38 AM

"Originally posted by durrelllrobert
I use the same ones and get them mailed to my Chula Vista PMB from Kaiser. co-pay is A LOT CHEAPER than at Similares."

Durrelllrobert, Does Kaiser not care that you are in Mexico?

roundtuit - 1-3-2014 at 08:24 AM

I tried one year to have it forward to me, never saw them. USPO will forward first class mail to you from the states. some what reliable..

pauldavidmena - 1-3-2014 at 08:28 AM

I had noticed a Pharmacy in Todos Santos that sold all kinds of goodies. It would be interesting to see how much I'd have to pay for the same meds out of pocket versus my current prescription plan and crossing my fingers hoping that the mail is properly forwarded.

EnsenadaDr - 1-3-2014 at 09:31 AM

From what I recall, Bob does not live in Mexico full time. Are you a liason for Kaiser?
Quote:
Originally posted by Kgryfon
"Originally posted by durrelllrobert
I use the same ones and get them mailed to my Chula Vista PMB from Kaiser. co-pay is A LOT CHEAPER than at Similares."

Durrelllrobert, Does Kaiser not care that you are in Mexico?

durrelllrobert - 1-3-2014 at 09:46 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Kgryfon
"Originally posted by durrelllrobert
I use the same ones and get them mailed to my Chula Vista PMB from Kaiser. co-pay is A LOT CHEAPER than at Similares."

Durrelllrobert, Does Kaiser not care that you are in Mexico?


Not as long as you have a US address. I would guess from listening to patients at the Kaiser facility in Chula Vista at least 25% only speak Spanish and the parking lot is filled with cars bearing Baja plates.

durrelllrobert - 1-3-2014 at 09:47 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by EnsenadaDr
From what I recall, Bob does not live in Mexico full time. Are you a liason for Kaiser?
Quote:
Originally posted by Kgryfon
"Originally posted by durrelllrobert
I use the same ones and get them mailed to my Chula Vista PMB from Kaiser. co-pay is A LOT CHEAPER than at Similares."

Durrelllrobert, Does Kaiser not care that you are in Mexico?


¡Qué suerte tengo!

EnsenadaDr - 1-3-2014 at 10:09 AM

I believe it is a controlled substance and is used for Multiple sclerosis and other conditions that cause painful muscle contractions. You probably need to see a neurologist and find out where to get it as well as get a prescription.
Quote:
Originally posted by weebray
Baclofen is the drug, generic for lioresal. Spanish name for the drug is Baclofeno. Tried everywhere in La Paz y Mexico DF.

MitchMan - 1-3-2014 at 01:25 PM

Does anyone get asthma medications specifically Xopenex, Proventil, Pulmicort, or Advair in Baja?

Bob and Susan - 1-3-2014 at 02:39 PM

advair is available here
around 70 bucks
different name

EnsenadaDr - 1-3-2014 at 07:41 PM

Yes, Proventil is known as the generic albuterol in the US, and salbutamol in Mexico, they run about $50 pesos each per unit dose inhaler. Advair does run about $70, it's known as Serevent. I am sure you could get Pulmocort and Xopenex as well at the hospital pharmacies that have outpatient service, though you might have to special order them as well. Xopenex I have not seen, though I have seen Pulmocort. I know from experience working in the hospital, Xopenex is extremely expensive and many drugs that are super expensive in the US is not available in Mexico at many pharmacies because there is not a demand for them.

Kgryfon - 1-7-2014 at 06:08 PM

No, EnsenadaDr, I am not associated with Kaiser professionally. I am a Kaiser member though, which is why I was curious about them sending meds to Mexico. I thought I was going to have to find some way around that when I retire but it looks like durrelllrobert already figured it out.

durrelllrobert, you say Kaiser doesn't care as long as you have a US address which I get, but just want to confirm that they will mail meds to an alternate address in Mexico with no problem? If I got it straight, that is very cool! If not, please clarify for a confused person :?: Thanks!

[Edited on 1-8-2014 by Kgryfon]

DavidE - 1-8-2014 at 12:07 PM

ZERO medications can be sent to Mexico. They will be intercepted in Mexico (city) by ADUANA under the auspices of COFEPRIS restrictions which is a part of Sector Salud.

Mail, DHL, UPS, FedEx it doesn't matter. And it's not just medications. ANY and ALL devices medical fall under the restriction, even FILTERS for CPAP and BiPAP machines, never mind, machines and masks themselves. Vitamins, minerals, supplements, they are all seized by Aauana, with or without a written Rx by a USA or Mexican Dr.

From the school of hard knocks

rhintransit - 1-8-2014 at 12:52 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by vandenberg
Quote:
Originally posted by durrelllrobert


I use the same ones and get them mailed to my Chula Vista PMB from Kaiser. Co-pay is A LOT CHEAPER than at Similares.


I have no insurance for meds, so I'm on my own. However, on certain days of the week there is a 20% discount for purchases over $ 100 pesos, and since the pricing is very reasonable I doubt I could do better NOB. :saint::biggrin:


INAPAM card…discount all the time at Similares.

EnsenadaDr - 1-8-2014 at 01:03 PM

I question the quality at Similares since I had an experience with a significant difference in blood pressure with Similares medication versus medication that was purchased in the States.

weebray - 1-8-2014 at 02:05 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by EnsenadaDr
I believe it is a controlled substance and is used for Multiple sclerosis and other conditions that cause painful muscle contractions. You probably need to see a neurologist and find out where to get it as well as get a prescription.
Quote:


Yes, we have a prescription, en espanol. From prev. posts, it is illegal to send drugs here sans a prescription. So, I guess we could send a copy to our friend in the states to put in the package and mail it to us in Mexico???? We still have been unable to find this drug or anything like it here in Mexico.

Wally - 1-8-2014 at 02:51 PM

You've probably done this or at least understand it, so I'm likely stating the obvious (the only reason I bring it up because an awful lot of the culture here is that if they don't carry or have something they just say no, even though they can order it).

The drug is available in Mexico per

http://www.edrugs.eu/baclofeno/comprar/

Which is pretty reliable.

The pharma distribution market hasn't changed much in 2 or 3 years here but it basically works like this:

There are roughly 22,000 pharmacies in Mexico and 3 companies that distribute to them (well, actually 4, but the 4th is pretty small). Each of the big guys has a network of warehouses and delivery vehicles that pretty much guarantee you can get anything available within 24 hours.

I suspect that if you went to your "good" local place (not the shack on the corner trying to sell Viagra to tourists) and pressed them you could have it in a day.






.

vandenberg - 1-8-2014 at 02:58 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by EnsenadaDr
I question the quality at Similares since I had an experience with a significant difference in blood pressure with Similares medication versus medication that was purchased in the States.


Well I take metoprolol, lisinopril, simvastatina and generic plavix and they seem to be working as expected.
All from similares.

Kgryfon - 1-8-2014 at 04:43 PM

durrelllrobert/EnsenadaDr, I figured out my confusion. Chula Vista is in So. CA, not MX. As they say...nevermind!

jepa - 6-8-2018 at 07:53 PM

nice

[Edited on 6-9-2018 by jepa]

jepa - 6-8-2018 at 07:59 PM

and aeroflux(salbutamol) in Mexico, they run about $50 pesos each per unit dose inhaler

hermosok123 - 6-9-2018 at 08:20 AM

Analgesics are tightly controlled here specifically the opiates. Go figure. If you are carrying these you need to have the written script with you. Not that any of the above are opiates. You always run the risk of an over diligent armed forces or police member holding you up for a medicine he is not familiar with. Carry the script saves the hassle. If its a one off vacation some docs will write for more meds to cover the additional time span.

BajaBlanca - 6-9-2018 at 09:57 AM

I am also confirming what DavidE said in 2014, no medication can be sent to Mexico via mail. Way back in the day, I sent my meds via FedEx to Mexico only to have the held by customs in Mexico City and then returned to USA.

I have a question to diabetics on how you carry your insulin when you travel long distances??? Is one able to put insulin in a fridge on a plane? Do I need to have special prescription for my needles and insulin?

redmercury - 6-10-2018 at 12:19 AM

Insulin can be stored at room temperature (below 85 degrees) for up to 28 days after you poke a hole in the membrane. California does not require prescriptions to purchase insulin or insulin syringes, neither do most states. They are over-the counter items. I don't know of any diabetics who actually have a current prescription for insulin or syringes.

You should also carry a glucagon emergency kit, which does require a prescription, especially while traveling. Glucagon is the antidote to an insulin overdose or a hypoglycemic condition.

BajaBlanca - 6-10-2018 at 06:47 AM

redmercury, thank you.

BajaMama - 6-13-2018 at 07:29 AM

This is a problem I will face when we are able to spend more than a month at a time: anyone with MS use Rebif? Is there a generic form in Baja?