BajaNomad

I just joined. I have a business in Baja.

surebought - 11-30-2009 at 09:42 AM

Hello Everyone, Someone came in my store the other day and told me about Baja Nomad. It looks like a great forum for keeping up with the ever changing Baja Landscape. I have owned a Farmacia in the Tourist District of Ensenada for the past 20 years. I think it is a record for an American successfully doing bisiness in Mexico. And about 7 years ago I finished with Mexican Imigration. I don't know of anyone else who has ever done that either. The Store is called Medicine Man and it is on the corner of First Street and Castillo. I always like to talk about Baja. David

shari - 11-30-2009 at 09:45 AM

Hola David and a hearty welcome to Nomadlandia. It's very nice to see you posting here and introducing yourself by name. This is a wonderful site with lots of information and more important...FUN...dont sweat the small stuff and ignore the nasty kids in the sandbox. We look forward to your contributions to the board.
Boy...you must be a die hard all right to have had a mexican business for so long...good work.

Iflyfish - 11-30-2009 at 09:47 AM

Mucho Gusto! Welcome.

Iflyfish

BajaGringo - 11-30-2009 at 09:51 AM

Welcome David - operating a business and going through the immigration / naturalization process in Mexico is an "interesting" adventure (I know) but it sure gives us lots of stories to tell...


:lol::lol::lol:

Welcome to the forum...

David K - 11-30-2009 at 09:51 AM

WELCOME TO NOMAD DAVID!:biggrin:

noproblemo2 - 11-30-2009 at 10:26 AM

Welcome David... Good to have you here....

wilderone - 11-30-2009 at 12:21 PM

Hi David - I'm sure you'll become our "go to" guy for the scene in Ensenada.

Bob H - 11-30-2009 at 12:30 PM

Welcome aboard David! My wife and I love to visit Ensenada whenever we can.
Bob H

ELINVESTIG8R - 11-30-2009 at 12:49 PM

Bienvenido Tocayo!

DENNIS - 11-30-2009 at 01:37 PM

If there is anything, most especially gossip, that a person wants to know about Ensenada, David is the man to ask. I've known him for twenty years, maybe more.
Good to see you here, David.

alafrontera - 11-30-2009 at 01:47 PM

Hi David, that was ME !! (also David). Glad you signed up.

I'm still mulling over your idea ;D I'll be needing your help if I decide to do it :cool:

Bajahowodd - 11-30-2009 at 01:57 PM

Welcome aboard, David. Hmmm. A farmacia in the tourist district. Has me wondering. Do you get much business from the cruise ship passengers? Two reasons that I ask. First is that when it comes to tourism, the cruise passengers appear to be almost all that's left keeping the tourist related economy going. (sad) Second, I know that the cruise lines have tightened security and wondered if they hassle folks returning to the ship carrying medications. Just thought you might be the right guy to ask. Thanks.

We are long-time fans of Ensenada. We used to head down 2-3 times a month for the weekend. Have to admit that since the US has slowed things down at the border, we don't do it quite as often. We'll check your place out next time we're down.

surebought - 11-30-2009 at 02:25 PM

1. We do notice that when the Cruise Ships are in, the sales are a little bit up. I have heard it said that most people do not even get off the Ship though. And the ones that do - take tours and don't come into town. The gossip among the other Merchants and myself is that Carnival brings a much lower end customer than Royal Carribbean Lines did. They no longer come to Ensenada and it is a big factor in sales. Of course, I talk the party line by saying that we don't have different classes of people in the US. This always gets a big laugh out of the other Mexican Merchants. I think we're surviving much better than Rosarito and Puerto Nuevo. I went to Taxco last month on a buying trip and from the time I got on the Airport Bus in Ensenada until I returned 6 days later, I did not see even one other American the whole time I was gone. Not on the plane - not anywhere.

2. Customs doesn't seem to care about (Non Controlled Medications), not to be confused with medicines that need prescription in the US, but not in Mexico. These are generally non controlled Meds. Small quantities of nearly anything get through with no problem. Big quantities of anything draw suspicion. Have a worry free day all. David

mulegemichael - 11-30-2009 at 04:08 PM

welcome david...we usually stay at the corona when driving north or south...will look you up next time we're in town...mike and roz

nobaddays - 11-30-2009 at 04:09 PM

welcome

Ken Bondy - 11-30-2009 at 04:32 PM

Bienvenidos David!!

bajabass - 11-30-2009 at 06:30 PM

Welcome David. I purchase a couple meds in Ensenada on a regular basis. I'll have to stop by and check your prices. Does being married to a Mexican citizen make the hassle of running a business any easier for the gringo spouse(me)?

doradodan - 11-30-2009 at 06:32 PM

welcome david

surebought - 11-30-2009 at 08:02 PM

Well yes, I do have a Mexican Wife. Early on I was having some problems with imigration and she heard about it and went over there and really stired the pot. I had to go up to Tijuana and talk to the Regional Delegado to smooth things over. Since I believe that Mexico is basically a matriarchal society, it does really pay to listen to their intuition when it comes to doing business with the hombres. They can spot a thief a mile away. If a man has a Mexican wife he would be well advised in my opinion to let her watch his back in all business with the locals. And let her deal with all the government stuff too. But unfortunately its the man that must cultivate the political connections by being very carefull about hitching his wagon to the people who count and not to the people who are about to be sacrificed by the system. Since you asked...

bajabass - 12-1-2009 at 08:53 AM

Thanks David! It is still a little ways off, but my wife is a doctora from Ensenada. We will be moving down full time in the near future, and I have to find something to do besides fish and drink, or I will go crazy!!

oladulce - 12-2-2009 at 10:31 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by surebought

2. Customs doesn't seem to care about (Non Controlled Medications), not to be confused with medicines that need prescription in the US, but not in Mexico. These are generally non controlled Meds. Small quantities of nearly anything get through with no problem. Big quantities of anything draw suspicion. Have a worry free day all. David


Hi David-

Can you explain how the prescription system works in Mexico? Who would we go to for a Albuterol inhaler for example (for prn use, not for acute symptoms)? Is there a guideline to follow so we'll know if we need to see a doctor first before going to a farmacia? How about antibiotics?

We'll be living outside of a town without a doctor that's 2.5 hours from the nearest medical care and i'd like to have my own emergency supplies if possible.

Can I buy a small amount of injectable Benadryl and Epinephrine 1:1000 in case of severe allergic reactions ?

What is the law regarding syringes ? Can I buy 6 or 8 syringes to keep on
hand? This would be for our own emergency supplies.

Thank you.

DENNIS - 12-2-2009 at 02:30 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by oladulce

Can you explain how the prescription system works in Mexico? Who would we go to for a Albuterol inhaler for example (for prn use, not for acute symptoms)? Is there a guideline to follow so we'll know if we need to see a doctor first before going to a farmacia? How about antibiotics?


What is the law regarding syringes ?



David's probably working so I'll tell you what I think I know.
You can buy inhalers cross counter with no scrip required. Same with antibiotics. Syringes are on the shelf at WalMart and other stores.
Your other questions...I don't know.

There is a lot of self-doctoring here, especially in the poorer communities. People will go to a doctor for a diagnosis and all they'll get is the name of the "Prescribed" medication. Not necessarily a medication that requires a prescription but, available at a drug store. It's up to the patient to purchase the medicine and syringes to inject it. Most every woman down here knows how to give shots.

Bajahowodd - 12-2-2009 at 02:49 PM

Dennis is basically correct. And, since David has been in the biz for so long, I'm sure he'll be able to give detailed info. Mexico applies a different standard than does the US. Hence, many drug that require Rx up North are OTC in Mexico. However, tranquilizers require a Rx. It does cut both ways as while you can walk up to the counter at Walgreens and purchase Sudafed and similar drugs, you need a Rx for it in MX. It's the potential meth lab thing.

As for the asthma inhaler- OTC and I've bought them at Walmart for quite a while. Last time, I paid approximately the equivalent of $3.50 US for it. It is called Salbutamol. By the way, talk about hair-brained regulations and the unholy partnership between government and big pharma, the EPA recently ruled that the propellant in those little inhalers was a cause of air pollution and required the manufacturers to change the chemical. Thus, while this product had been available in generic form for years, the pharmaceutical company, by changing the formulation put the new product on patent and now charges 10 X what the generic sold for. I pretty much doubt Mexico is doing the same.