BajaNomad

Prescriptions

Bubba - 3-14-2015 at 04:46 PM

I used to buy Soma (muscle relaxer) over the counter at all of the Pharmacia's in TJ with no prescription needed. This has been 12-15 yrs ago though. My question is do you need a prescription now and if so, how involved/expensive is it? I want to do this all completely legally and looking for any information/advice. Thank you.

sancho - 3-14-2015 at 08:51 PM

5 yrs or so back, the Mex Govt began requiring a Mex
doctors perscription for the Mex pharamacies to sell perscription
meds. The Mex perscription apparently is just a formality, easily obtained at the pharmacy itself, I understand it is about
$25 dlls. Don't know if this is enforced or not.
To legally bring meds back
to the US one has to have US perscripition as well. I' ve
walked back at San Ysidro recently, and saw at the Customs
desk where they check passports, a box or 2 containing
all types of meds, obviously taken by Customs from
crossers who had no US perscription




Soma

J.P. - 3-14-2015 at 09:39 PM

The first time I used a Consulto now they never ask and I get pretty much any thing with in reason I want . I live in Ensenada mostly full time and never buy drugs here unless I run out of a particular thing.

tjsue - 3-15-2015 at 07:19 AM

Most pharmacies will refer you to a doctor for a prescription, and the cost is $5.00. This was told to me by a pharmacist on Revolucion. When I moved back to San Diego, I brought several bottles of Amoxicillin with me, but it was in a box with other stuff.

Bajahowodd - 3-15-2015 at 05:16 PM

How does this affect the big box store pharmacies such as Walmart, Costco, and Soriana? Cannot believe they will have a doctor referral,

J.P. - 3-15-2015 at 09:44 PM

Quote: Originally posted by Bajahowodd  
How does this affect the big box store pharmacies such as Walmart, Costco, and Soriana? Cannot believe they will have a doctor referral,






Funny you ask. not too long ago my VET prescribed a antibiotic for our Dog Person and we stopped at the local Calimax Drug Store to fill it. After a lengthy delay and everyone in the store looking at the Prescription they refused to honor it Their excuse was the VET was not a real Dr.
The VET and myself still laugh about that one. He's a very accomplished Orthopedic animal Surgeon.

[Edited on 3-16-2015 by J.P.]

SFandH - 3-16-2015 at 01:47 AM

Quote: Originally posted by sancho  
5 yrs or so back, the Mex Govt began requiring a Mex
doctors perscription for the Mex pharamacies to sell perscription
meds.


It depends upon the type of medication. I went to a TJ pharmacy last week and bought a 3 month supply of two high blood pressure meds without a prescription. Many meds that are prescription meds in the US are available over the counter in Mex.

Narcotics, benzodiazepines, antibiotics, and (I think) the newer sleep meds need prescriptions.

Bubba - 3-17-2015 at 11:52 AM

I truly appreciate all of the information so far. If anybody else has anything more to add, please do so. This will be about a 6 hr drive for me each way and need to try and get it done in one day. Once again, thank you.

sancho - 3-17-2015 at 12:06 PM

It is my understanding, if what you bring back
requires a perscription in the US, to bring it back
you would n technically need a US persc., to bring
something back and not declare it is smuggling,
not that people don't bring back all kinds of meds
and don't declare them


Alm - 3-17-2015 at 12:40 PM

Quote: Originally posted by tjsue  
Most pharmacies will refer you to a doctor for a prescription, and the cost is $5.00.

Yes. Sometimes that doctor would be sitting right there in the back room in pharmacy. And sometimes - very close, within a walking distance. Could be $5, could be $50. They know that doctor costs $250 across the border, so they sometimes charge almost American prices, but as usual in Mexico, you can negotiate. The doctor that pharmacy would refer you to, will likely charge very little as they have a working agreement with pharmacy.

tjsue - 3-17-2015 at 03:57 PM

Yes. This particular pharmacist said that the doctor's office was three doors down, and charged $5.00. But others could be more.
Quote: Originally posted by Alm  
Quote: Originally posted by tjsue  
Most pharmacies will refer you to a doctor for a prescription, and the cost is $5.00.

Yes. Sometimes that doctor would be sitting right there in the back room in pharmacy. And sometimes - very close, within a walking distance. Could be $5, could be $50. They know that doctor costs $250 across the border, so they sometimes charge almost American prices, but as usual in Mexico, you can negotiate. The doctor that pharmacy would refer you to, will likely charge very little as they have a working agreement with pharmacy.

Bajahowodd - 3-17-2015 at 04:47 PM

Quote: Originally posted by sancho  
It is my understanding, if what you bring back
requires a perscription in the US, to bring it back
you would n technically need a US persc., to bring
something back and not declare it is smuggling,
not that people don't bring back all kinds of meds
and don't declare them




If you carry your prescription container, that will work, as long as it is not long outdated.