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Debra
Super Nomad
Posts: 2101
Registered: 10-31-2002
Location: Port Orchard Wa./Bahia de Los Angeles BC
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As I said before JESSE
Good point.....
Many State side folks (I'm sure) think that 'over the counter' drugs are just that, over the counter drugs...We often ask the advice of the Pharmist
(sp?) are advised, and off we go.....not understanding that that same 'norm' doesn't work in Mexico. (one can't buy illegal drugs from a Pharmist,
(not not anyone that values their license anyway) in the States.
We could all pose the argument "learn the laws", but, in realily that is pretty much impossible, since the laws seem to be the whim of whomever is
talking to you at the time. (and even they seem confused)...so, what do you suggest? I'm not trying to be a smart-a**, I would really like to hear
your advice as someone that lives in Mexico full time. Thanks, Debra
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JESSE
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3370
Registered: 11-5-2002
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Here in Mexico there are many laws that are not enforced uppon Mexicans for economic reasons, one of them is that you can buy a vast variety of
prescription drugs directly from the farmacia attendant without a prescription, even do technically it is ilegal. Why? because there are so many of
millions of poor Mexicans who can barely afford to pay for drugs, and thus, cannot afford to pay for a doctors visit.
This of course does not mean that this is legal, just like in the U.S., if the goverment wants to suddenly make an example of someone to make a point,
( look at what happend to Martha Stewart) it will prosecute you and you have no defense.
So do things right and stay out of trouble.
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Debra
Super Nomad
Posts: 2101
Registered: 10-31-2002
Location: Port Orchard Wa./Bahia de Los Angeles BC
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JESSE
That may be the problem, laws are not enforced, so confusing to all. But to make it a different law for Mexicans and different for American's is
confusing and wrong...if it is different, then state it.
Save Cancun, Cabo san Lucas and other places, (party teens, with irresponsible parents re: "ugly Americans" most try to obey the laws of the "land"
We want to know what the 'laws' are....is that too much to ask?
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Herb
Nomad
Posts: 202
Registered: 11-6-2003
Location: Torrance, CA
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Excellent Post Jesse!
I had to explain that to my wife once when we were in Ensenada and I had a bad cold. I have asthma so, when I get a cold, a nasty cough almost always
comes with. We pulled up in front of a drug store in a poorer neighborhood. My wife went in and explained that she wanted to buy cough syrup to the
older woman behind the counter who could hear me coughing from inside.
"Para el?" she asked. My wife nodded. She smiled with that all knowing wizened "mama" smile and produced a bottle of exactly what my doctor normally
prescribes for me under those circumstances.
My wife was savvy enough to realize that I did not have that prescription with me and to tell her that she was looking for something with a little
less "potencia" and left with just some regular Robitussin.
She was amazed that the woman was willing to just dole out prescription meds based on her observation. I explained to her that this woman was the
closest thing to a doctor that most of these people would ever see in their lifetimes unless they were hospitalized and that it made perfect sense. In
this case, I believe that selective enforcement is the humane thing to do. I would never believe that I should be entitled to the same treatment when
I have the resources to obtain the proper prescription.
That goes back to my original question for information. I have a prescription for the medications that I need from my doctor in the US. From what my
research has yielded, it appears that it would be sufficient for me to have a US prescription for the meds as long as they are not a Class 2, 3 or 4
controlled substance. Does that sound correct? The reason I ask is that they are not normally prescribed by a regular family practice doctor, but by
cardiac specialists. I didn't want to have to go through the trouble of finding one in Mexico if it is not necessary.
Thanks
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Herb
Nomad
Posts: 202
Registered: 11-6-2003
Location: Torrance, CA
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I?m really not trying to pick a fight but?
There seem to be some common misconceptions that I read and hear regarding this and similar issues that bug me.
First, selective enforcement of laws, and ignorance of the law exists everywhere, even in the US. There is no place on earth where anyone can know all
the laws and no place with the resources to enforce them all. In LA county (most of the time) you can pass a police car doing nearly 80 if you are
with the flow of traffic. I?ve been pulled over (and cited) in Bakersfield for doing 68.
The selective enforcement can also include laws that most people are ignorant of and can be a factor of ?who? you are. Nearly all municipalities in
the US have some type of curfew law for minors. If 2 teenagers leave work at a fast food establishment past that time, one white in the parents car,
and the other is an ethnic minority in a car with shiny rims guess which one is many times more likely to be stopped by police in an attempt to
?enforce? the law which neither one knew existed and is only selectively enforced? Again, I know the answer from personal experience.
I believe the attitudes that I see here about sometimes about Mexico stem from 2 major causes. First, our view of the world is based on personal
experience. Most of the folks on this board do not likely fit the profile for selective enforcement of certain laws in the US. Most on the board do
fit the profile for selective enforcement in Mexico. The second is that the Mexican system is ?upside down? from our perspective. The people wearing a
uniform in Mexico are much more likely to be trying to take advantage of you than in the US. The people not wearing a uniform are much less likely to
try and screw you than they are here. Better or worse? You could probably argue either way until the cows come home. As far as I?m concerned, it?s
just different. The most important thing for me is to try educate myself on the best ways to avoid trouble in either environment and the best way
(including attitude) to try and get out of trouble when I can?t avoid it.
One other ?plus? of Mexican selective law enforcement, in my book, is that it includes more ?breaks? for the ?little guy? as Jesse described above. I
believe it is arrogant for us to arrive and expect the same perks. This is one of the reasons that I couldn?t agree less that the ?ugly Americans? are
only college students and can only be found in places like Cancun and Cabo. Remember that this phrase was coined long before college students on
spring break gathered in large numbers anywhere other than south Florida. I see them in all kinds of places. It?s just that their numbers decrease the
less a place looks or feels ?just like home but with different weather.?
I know I?ll probably be slammed defensively for this as an ?anti-American.? That?s a shame. From what I have read on this board, I would not put most
of you in the ?ugly American? category based on your descriptions of how you treat the people and the land down south. So if the ?huarache doesn?t
fit?, why the anger? I do believe that many (a word that can mean 3 or more in my book but is a quantifying statement that seems to drive folks batty
here) are too quick to jump on the Mexico bad - US good bandwagon because the system is different and you need to learn those differences when
visiting there. I don?t believe that any country has a lock on the good and bad aspects of human nature. It is systematically ingrained into the
societal structure of every place on earth. You just have to figure out which implementation works for you as a place to visit and/or live. I suspect
that nearly all of you have truly decided that the Baja/Mexican system really isn?t so bad and that is why you are on a board about the place even
when you can?t be there. So, really, it is just whining? If so, I can accept that? As long as I can have some fresh goat cheese from a Baja mountain
rancho to go with that ?whine.?
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JESSE
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3370
Registered: 11-5-2002
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Debra
But to make it a different law for Mexicans and different for American's is confusing and wrong...if it is different, then state it.
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That is the biggest problem, and the source of many nightmares for americans, americans see laws as
strict and rock solid things, here in Mexico they are not, they move and bend depending on many many things, in order to navigate your way in our
system, you need to have lived for a long long time here, it takes as much effort as lets say, someone learning Japanese customs. You simply cant do
it in a short time.
I know this not what many want to hear but, unless you have many many years of living in Mexico and have a deep knowledge of the Mexican way of doing
things, dont push your luck, if you hit and miss your out of luck, so stay safe and do things strictly by the book, is it unfair? yes it is, but thats
the way things are here and in China.
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 64476
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
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Mood: Have Baja Fever
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Jesse, can you provide a list of medicines sold by farmacias that need (or don't need) a perscription... The medicines that do need them here in EE
UU, that is.
On the advice of Edie H. who saw me suffering from a cold during our Matomi trip, I stopped at the farmacia in San Felipe and bought a bottle of 100
'amoxicilina' 250 mg. It was even on sale, at 50% off, just US$5.00! It was advertised on the sidewalk sign along with other meds... Amoxicillin needs
a perscription here. By the way, it knocked the cold out of mebefore it became worse!
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JESSE
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3370
Registered: 11-5-2002
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| Quote: | Originally posted by David K
Jesse, can you provide a list of medicines sold by farmacias that need (or don't need) a perscription... |
It is my understanding that mind altering medications are the only ones that do require prescriptions, but like i said before, while i might get away
with buying Prozac over the counter, you might not.
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elgatoloco
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4321
Registered: 11-19-2002
Location: Yes
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| Quote: | | ......... mind altering medications....... |
Note to self-
Must get doctor to write prescription for 100% Blue Agave A?ejo Gran Centenario.
MAGA
Making Attorneys Get Attorneys
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Baja Red
Junior Nomad
Posts: 80
Registered: 9-2-2003
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elgato
be sure and ask for plenty of "re-fills"....
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Dave
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6005
Registered: 11-5-2002
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Something else needs to be discussed:
In most of the world, physicians diagnose and pharmacists prescribe. I believe this is as it should be since a trained pharmacist is better versed in
the interaction of different medications. Unfortunately, the AMA doesn't concur.
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