HotSchott - 6-22-2004 at 07:07 AM
Over the last several months my wife has been undergoing treatment for Lymphoma. This has been an emotional and difficult time for both of us for
more reasons than I can mention here. At one point during her chemotherapy, I considered crossing the border to try and purchase medications which
were very expensive here - like $80 a pill. It turned out she didn't need the stuff - antimedics for nausea - she actually never got sick from the
chemo. This is just one of the many miracles which have taken place in our lives over the course of her treatment. We hope to make our first trip in
several months to Baja sometime in July. This is what Valarie has wanted most since last November when she was diagnosed. We have been making trips
to Northern Baja at least once a month for the last several years until her illness.
Several months ago I read about a woman that was arrested in Ensenada for posession of a variety of controlled medications and did not have a
prescription for any of it. The recent follow up in the San Diego Union seems to imply that she will not be getting out any time soon and is not
getting any help from the US Government.
http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/mexico/tijuana/20040615-9...
Regardless of what you think about the story in the paper, the facts af the case are pretty obvious. The Mexican Government is under alot of pressure
from the US to stop the drug traffic. People that get caught with drugs and are determined to be guilty of a crime will get very little help from the
US Government. It all adds up to way too much potential for problems.
I love Mexico and even with the potential need for my wife, I could not justify the risks associated with buying her medications in Mexico. Even with
a prescription it didn't seem to be worth the potential problems of misunderstanings.
Anyone considering making a trip down south to buy prescriptions should do their homework. It could ultimately be a very bad choice.
Steve
jeans - 6-22-2004 at 07:39 AM
Steve...Please give Val my love and best wishes for a swift recovery. Gosh..I was just thinking of you guys a few days ago. I've been working on my
patio and want to have you back for another bar-b-que. (I won't have to borrow my neighbor's grill this time).
Soon....
Steve
Debra - 6-22-2004 at 02:02 PM
So sorry that you and Val are going through this hard time.
And at the risk of having my butt burned (flamed) here, AGAIN..... you might want to concider getting her meds. from Canada, WAY cheaper and the
same safe medication we enjoy here in the 'good 'ol US of A' (If we can afford it? :no
$80 dollars a pill?! That is disgraceful!
The country with more money than any other on the planet won't take care of our sick (that makes me sick!)
Steve....I'll search out the phone number and web addy for you, and get back......please check your U2...in the mean time, we are saying a prayer for
you and Val.
PROFITS EQUAL NEW AND BETTER PILLS
Barry A. - 6-23-2004 at 03:43 AM
Debra-----Without profits these pills would not exist. No incentive to develop. Like the music business, without profits to the originators the source
will dry up. All advancements are triggered by possible and hoped for "profits"----that is just the way it is.
Mexitron - 6-23-2004 at 06:49 AM
Profit is a very important motivation and reason for our health care system in the U.S. It would be nice though to have a backup health net for
those who can't afford it(in a sense there is--you can't be refused medical care at any hospital even if you have no money--which we all pick up the
tab for).
The problem with government run systems is that they are so inefficient....that pill which cost $80 might be available for $20 or for free in a
government healthcare system but it may cost the government $120 a pill to get it to you........which everybody ultimately pays for.
That said, it just cost me $1,300 to have 5 moles removed--for about 30 minutes of the doctor's time, so I see the frustration on both sides.
elgatoloco - 6-23-2004 at 08:23 AM
We have found a strategy to help alleviate our frustation over the high costs of prescription medications. We buy stock and use the profits to
purchase the drugs. Did you know that it can cost hundreds of millions of dollars to develop and take a drug to market?
Taco de Baja - 6-23-2004 at 12:23 PM
Nothing like stock in drug companies 
Or working for a companiy that picks up a good share of the health care cost.....