BajaNomad

Buying prescription drugs in Mexico for use in the US

JoeJustJoe - 7-16-2019 at 10:01 AM

I don't see too many questions about buying prescription drugs in Mexico, for use back in USA.

Lets take a hypothetical situation in the future and say, I'm going to Baja Mexico, for the first time, because I lost my insurance when the "Affordable Health Care Act," was declared unconstitutional in 2020, and it was not replaced with something better.

I want to go to Mexico/Baja/Tijuana and buy four of my favorite or much needed prescription drugs.

1.Blood Pressure medicine-any BP medicine
2.Antibiotics- for example either, Amoxicillin, Cipro, or Z-Pac
3.ED-Medicine- for example either, Cialis, Viagra or Levitra
4.Benzos favorites like Xanax, Valium, or similar drugs.

Can I buy all these drugs over the counter, or will they need a prescription, and if so, from a US doctor, Mexico doctor or both?

Can I then jump in the car or walk back over the Mexico/US border, and get through customs with all four prescription type drugs?

What the exact letter of the law on either side of the border, and more importantly, what may be the requirements by the US customs or FDA, and/or will let US Customs let you through if your prescription drugs are of a small quantity and for personal use?

What does the FDA say about foreign prescription drugs, and bringing them back to the US?

Is there anyone here willing to take a stab at one of more of these questions, because I'm sure there is interest in this subject?

Yes I know the trolls will also chime in as usual, but what else is new?

bajatrailrider - 7-16-2019 at 10:34 AM

They used to allow you month supply of pills. Also sometimes ask for perception.

4x4abc - 7-16-2019 at 11:12 AM

most medication is available without prescription
and dirt cheap at generics pharmacies (Similares)
if one is needed, it has to be from a Mexican doctor.
Most Similares (pharmacies) have a doctor next door
consultation is cheap ($5) - free on Tuesdays

but you are very limited with what and how much you can bring back to the US

If you prefer doctors who cater to expats, expect to pay about 600 Pesos per consultation

Lee - 7-16-2019 at 11:51 AM

My understanding some years ago was a US prescription was needed to cross into the US with MX meds. I've been pat down and asked about meds in an orange bag sticking out of my pocket while crossing on foot NB. Told the officer what I had and that was OK. Stopped carrying drugs in a orange bag. Don't know what's needed anymore.

JoeJustJoe - 7-16-2019 at 11:59 AM

Keep in mind I mentioned a cross section of common and popular prescription drugs, that may have different requirements.

For example, in 2010 Mexico, started cracking down on self medication of antibiotic sales, where many Mexicans, would run down to a pharmacy at a first sign of a cold, and buy antibiotics pills, or get a penicillin shot self given or by a doctor.

Mexico, supposedly put real teeth in restricting antibiotic sales without a prescription, and therefore pharmacies were put on notice that they would be heavily fined if they sold antibiotics starting in 2010 in an attempt of controlling antibiotic resistance.

But as 4x4abc, said, many pharmacies had a doctor next door, or close by willing to write a prescription quickly for a few pesos.

And of course there are some Mexican pharmacies that will still sell you antibiotics over the counter as before, and I think it's getting more lax as the years go by.

U.S. Prescription required ?

MrBillM - 7-16-2019 at 01:42 PM

Years ago, having directly asked an ICE agent the question, I was told that a prescription from a U.S. doctor was required.

How closely that would be enforced over drugs like B.P. meds, etc .............

Quien Sabe ?

The only thing I ever brought back over the years was antibiotics (Amoxicillin and Tetracycline). Never asked and never volunteered.

sancho - 7-16-2019 at 02:58 PM

Walked back from TJ, 4 yrs. back, noticed at the end of
US Customs counter after one shows a Passport, a cardboard
box, maybe 3'x3', was 1/2 full of meds, obviously taken from
tourists. I ASSUME they were asked for a US prescription?

JZ - 7-16-2019 at 03:25 PM

JJJ with a valuable thread.

bajaguy - 7-16-2019 at 03:51 PM

https://www.verywellhealth.com/prescription-drugs-from-mexic...

https://www.fda.gov/consumers/consumer-updates/5-tips-travel...

https://help.cbp.gov/app/answers/detail/a_id/1160/kw/medicat...

JoeJustJoe - 7-16-2019 at 04:30 PM

One question that comes up is can you trust the FDA when they warn against buying medications in Mexico or Canada, because the FDA says it cannot be sure the drugs are manufactured property, or the FDA warns that many foreign medications are counterfeit, mislabeled, and dangerous?

The other question that comes up is who does the FDA really serve, the American consumer and being sure the American pubic is buying safe medications, or does the FDA really serve the American pharmaceutical industry, and helps protect their high profit margin, against cheaper foreign meds?

I believe they serve the latter.
_________________________
Some random comments regarding the FDA:

"FDA cannot ensure that medications approved in other countries are safe or effective, or have been manufactured properly."
__________
The FDA has said reimporting medicines from outside the United States is dangerous because of the possibility that medications are counterfeit, mislabeled or otherwise unsafe — a view vigorously supported by the industry.
_________
The pharmaceutical industry applauded the recent FDA raids. “We welcome the FDA’s action to crack down on drug importation schemes,” said Holly Campbell, a spokeswoman for PhRMA.



[Edited on 7-16-2019 by JoeJustJoe]

???????

MrBillM - 7-16-2019 at 04:39 PM

What does that have to do with the importation question ?

4x4abc - 7-16-2019 at 05:26 PM

Quote: Originally posted by JoeJustJoe  
One question that comes up is can you trust the FDA when they warn against buying medications in Mexico or Canada, because the FDA says it cannot be sure the drugs are manufactured property, or the FDA warns that many foreign medications are counterfeit, mislabeled, and dangerous?


I used to import cars to the US. Grey market.

The government warned to buy any cars not manufactured for the US to be unsafe.
Who would believe that a Mercedes or Porsche produced for Japan or the European market is less safe?

so, same scare tactic to protect someone. The local pharma industry maybe?

humans lie and cheat
companies lie and cheat
big companies (and government) .....

medication anywhere on the planet is relatively safe
dying patients are bad advertising

I would not go so far to speculate what a Trump run pharma company would do

4x4abc - 7-16-2019 at 05:33 PM

drug prices are just another example of how capitalism works

one of the principles is that you take as much as the market can bear

so, asthma inhalers (salbutamol) in the US $50 to $100
in Mexico (remember, they are poor) MX$ 50 = US$ 2.80

JoeJustJoe - 7-16-2019 at 05:56 PM

Quote: Originally posted by MrBillM  
What does that have to do with the importation question ?


The meds safety is a very important factor to consider otherwise it's a moot point.

Here is another warning from "The Partnership for Safe Medicines," about buying cheap meds in Mexico.

It turns out the " Partnership for Safe Medicines," has deep ties to a lobbying group for big pharmaceutical companies.
_________________________
Is this accurate or another scare tactic from a lobbying group on behalf of big PHARMA?

Mexican Pharmacies Are Not The Best Place For Medicare Recipients To Lower Their Prescription Costs

Many older Americans head south to avoid harsh winter climates, and, as AP News reported, some also take advantage of savings offered at Mexican pharmacies. An estimated 106,000 people winter in the Rio Grande Valley alone, and over 40 percent of those people admit to purchasing prescription drugs across the border, but this is a classic case of caveat emptor. In the article, The Partnership for Safe Medicines’ (PSM) Board President Marv Shepherd, who is also a leading authority on the sale of prescription drugs in Mexico, warned that counterfeit drugs are an issue in that country, with the Mexican government estimating that up to 20 percent of drugs in that country are fake.

https://www.safemedicines.org/2018/11/mexican-pharmacies-are...

mtgoat666 - 7-16-2019 at 07:15 PM

Buyer beware. Some shops sell counterfeit medicine, choose your pharmacy wisely. Don’t shop the border stores with big signs. Scams are prevalent in the shops tailoring to gringos.

bajatrailrider - 7-16-2019 at 08:57 PM

Quote: Originally posted by lencho  
Quote: Originally posted by bajatrailrider  
Also sometimes ask for perception.
"Y Ud., señor, ¿cuál es su opinión sobre los medicamentos que le surtimos?" :lol:
. Aye way cabron:bounce:

PaulW - 7-17-2019 at 07:05 AM

Suggest using a canadian pharmacy*.
Choose one of the Canada places by using "Pharmacy Checker". Pharmacy Checker lists any drug and allows anyone to do price comparison between various canadian pharmacies. Then compare your price from medicare part D. Then the Pharmacy will arrange to have the drug shipped from a drug maker in the other side of the world and delivered to your USA USPS mail box. Yes the US govt says that is illegal, but they continue to look the other way. In the last 5 years I have had one order confiscated and the Canadian pharmacy immediately reordered at no charge to me and the order arrived shortly to my mailbox.
Why I do this is because I cannot get what I need from a Mexican pharmacy and therefore I cannot compare prices.
I cross the border with around a 3 to 6 month supply going both ways and I do not declare and so far no problems.
* These canadian pharmacies always require a prescription from a US Dr. These canadian pharmacies are really not a pharmacy in the usual sense as all they do is act as an intermediary to have drugs shipped from foreign sources (in fact some sources are from canada). These foreign sources have licenses to produce the drugs from the US company owning the US patient and they have lower prices because the country where they reside has different laws for drugs. Thus the price is defined by competition with other drug producers. So far the all my drugs are delivered from a foreign source to the UK at a USPS facility then sent to the US as usual.

So comparing medicare part D MY price to my canadian source I find lower prices anywhere from 2% for generic to 1500% for patented. The end result is no hassle and great cost savings. Caveat - You cannot use the Internet from Mexico (unless you have a US VPN). Thus I have to call from Mexico to get my meds.

AKgringo - 7-17-2019 at 07:22 AM

Before you even deal with border crossings with meds, I suggest that you take your shopping list to Costco to see what they can do for you.

For some common generic drugs, I have found that their over the counter cost was less than the co-pay that the VA charges me!

JoeJustJoe - 7-17-2019 at 07:36 AM

Quote: Originally posted by 4x4abc  
drug prices are just another example of how capitalism works

one of the principles is that you take as much as the market can bear

so, asthma inhalers (salbutamol) in the US $50 to $100
in Mexico (remember, they are poor) MX$ 50 = US$ 2.80


Yeah some of those asthma inhalers have crazy prices up to $400 dollars without health insurance, and even $100 dollars with insurance for 30 days. ( it sometimes pays to push your doctor to fine an equivalent inhaler at a cheaper price, as prices vary greatly)

One of the reasons why those prices are so high in California, is because of global warming and eliminating CFC based inhalers in an attempt to save the ozone layers, but how much damage can those small inhalers really do to the ozone level?

Then those damn pharmaceutical companies took advantage of the situation with new designs that eliminated generic versions of the drugs.

But bringing asthma inhalers over the border from Mexico, I doubt you will get hassled by Customs, because regardless of the laws, US Customs officials are not in the business of depriving it's citizens of their drugs for personal use, especially if the drug has no commercial street value like control drugs, but they will sometimes hassle you about not having a prescription for your drugs before they wave you through.



[Edited on 7-17-2019 by JoeJustJoe]

BajaTed - 7-17-2019 at 10:25 AM

Don't even try bringing purchased meds thru SENTRI.
You swore upon issue to you that you wouldn't do this as a condition of the PRIVELEGE a SENTRI card is.

Don Jorge - 7-17-2019 at 10:36 AM

We regularly cross with Spiriva (tiotropium) an inhaler loaded drug for my mother in laws COPD. Yes she has a prescription and no we do not have a copy of it. We also bring back bp meds. Spiriva is one third the price of the meds cost in CO and we ship it to her ups. Bp meds are cost equivalent but more convenient to purchase in Mexico.

We always declare the meds and have never been questioned about them. Learned a long time ago to clean up the rig, give away food items and declare the booze and meds.

In Ensenada Cosmos Farmacias is the best we have found.

SFandH - 7-17-2019 at 10:46 AM

Don Jorge,

More than a month's supply? What quantity?

Don Jorge - 7-17-2019 at 10:59 AM

The Spiriva is about $35 for 18 doses and we normally bring back a two + month supply at a time, about four packages.

Always declare and never a problem.

[Edited on 7-17-2019 by Don Jorge]

Bubba - 7-18-2019 at 04:10 AM

Don't forget your Prozac.

JoeJustJoe - 7-18-2019 at 07:54 AM

I used Canadian pharmacies before, but like you say, "These canadian pharmacies are really not a pharmacy in the usual sense as all they do is act as an intermediary to have drugs shipped from foreign sources," and those foreign sources are usually from India.

I have not had any problems with prescription drugs from India, and they are cheaper than even Mexico, however, I could see how some people are concerned about the quality of the drugs, since it has been reported some meds are really filled with things like wall plaster.

My only concern with meds from India, is that after you order them, they hound you with emails and phones calls non stop for you to order more pills, and sometimes they pass your number around to other foreign pharmacies.

Quote: Originally posted by PaulW  
Suggest using a canadian pharmacy*.
Choose one of the Canada places by using "Pharmacy Checker". Pharmacy Checker lists any drug and allows anyone to do price comparison between various canadian pharmacies. Then compare your price from medicare part D. Then the Pharmacy will arrange to have the drug shipped from a drug maker in the other side of the world and delivered to your USA USPS mail box. Yes the US govt says that is illegal, but they continue to look the other way. In the last 5 years I have had one order confiscated and the Canadian pharmacy immediately reordered at no charge to me and the order arrived shortly to my mailbox.
Why I do this is because I cannot get what I need from a Mexican pharmacy and therefore I cannot compare prices.
I cross the border with around a 3 to 6 month supply going both ways and I do not declare and so far no problems.
* These canadian pharmacies always require a prescription from a US Dr. These canadian pharmacies are really not a pharmacy in the usual sense as all they do is act as an intermediary to have drugs shipped from foreign sources (in fact some sources are from canada). These foreign sources have licenses to produce the drugs from the US company owning the US patient and they have lower prices because the country where they reside has different laws for drugs. Thus the price is defined by competition with other drug producers. So far the all my drugs are delivered from a foreign source to the UK at a USPS facility then sent to the US as usual.

So comparing medicare part D MY price to my canadian source I find lower prices anywhere from 2% for generic to 1500% for patented. The end result is no hassle and great cost savings. Caveat - You cannot use the Internet from Mexico (unless you have a US VPN). Thus I have to call from Mexico to get my meds.

pauldavidmena - 7-18-2019 at 08:36 AM

Before my prescription plan started covering omeprazole (sold over the counter as "Prilosec"), I would buy the biggest quantity I could in Todos Santos and put it in my carry-on. They covered it at a subsidized price for awhile, but dropped it and some 80+ other medications in 2018 (see this article). It seems like I'll be resorting to the "Baja Connection" once again. Giving up spicy food is not an option. :cool:

Costco has an inexpensive generic OTC for Prilosec

thebajarunner - 7-18-2019 at 03:07 PM

Quote: Originally posted by pauldavidmena  
Before my prescription plan started covering omeprazole (sold over the counter as "Prilosec"), I would buy the biggest quantity I could in Todos Santos and put it in my carry-on. They covered it at a subsidized price for awhile, but dropped it and some 80+ other medications in 2018 (see this article). It seems like I'll be resorting to the "Baja Connection" once again. Giving up spicy food is not an option. :cool:

pauldavidmena - 7-30-2019 at 05:29 PM

Quote: Originally posted by pauldavidmena  
Before my prescription plan started covering omeprazole (sold over the counter as "Prilosec"), I would buy the biggest quantity I could in Todos Santos and put it in my carry-on. They covered it at a subsidized price for awhile, but dropped it and some 80+ other medications in 2018 (see this article). It seems like I'll be resorting to the "Baja Connection" once again. Giving up spicy food is not an option. :cool:


I guess my follow-up question would be this: is it legal for me to buy Omeprazole in Mexico and bring it with me to the U.S.? Does the answer depend upon the quantity?

SFandH - 7-30-2019 at 06:22 PM

Quote: Originally posted by pauldavidmena  


I guess my follow-up question would be this: is it legal for me to buy Omeprazole in Mexico and bring it with me to the U.S.? Does the answer depend upon the quantity?


You need to find the answer on the CPB website. I wouldn't trust any other source.

JoeJustJoe - 7-30-2019 at 06:29 PM

The rules can sometimes be confusing because they are coming from two US agencies.

But I believe as long as the prescription drugs are not controlled drugs and they are for your personal use. The CBP will let pass because they are not in the business of denying your medications, althought in some cases it may be technically against the rules to cross with certain drugs.

I try not to be caught up in the RULES the RULES and instead look at the practice of what's going on in the real world.

I have never had problems crossing back into the US with prescription drugs brough in Mexico, although a few times I have been asked if I have a prescription? i tell them no and I'm still allowed to cross.

I would never try to buy controlled drugs in Mexico and then come back over the border.


What are the rules for bringing medication across the border?

There are two different government agencies that oversee importing medications — U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). They have slightly different rules about prescription drugs.

The CBP appears to allow up to 50 doses of a medication without a U.S. prescription. However, that doesn’t mean you can cross into the U.S. with just anything. You cannot bring back narcotics of any class, and marijuana, though legal in some states, is not legal at the federal level. In addition, they must be drugs that have already been approved for distribution in the U.S.  In other words, if you can’t get them in an American pharmacy, you can’t bring them into the country.

The FDA has a slightly different perspective. Their guidelines are based more on a three-month supply, or 90-days. The FDA requires that you have a valid prescription and the drug is legal in U.S. You can also apply to the FDA to import medications that the U.S. doesn’t currently have on the market. Keep in mind that you’ll need pre-approval. They use “discretion” under certain circumstances that include:

Products used for serious conditions that don’t present a “significant health risk”

Drugs that aren’t available in the U.S. and do not pose a serious health risk

For practical purposes, the confusion for people trying to just save a little money seems to be between buying 50 or 90 doses.


[Edited on 7-31-2019 by JoeJustJoe]

tjsue - 7-30-2019 at 08:23 PM

Quote: Originally posted by pauldavidmena  
Quote: Originally posted by pauldavidmena  
Before my prescription plan started covering omeprazole (sold over the counter as "Prilosec"), I would buy the biggest quantity I could in Todos Santos and put it in my carry-on. They covered it at a subsidized price for awhile, but dropped it and some 80+ other medications in 2018 (see this article). It seems like I'll be resorting to the "Baja Connection" once again. Giving up spicy food is not an option. :cool:


I guess my follow-up question would be this: is it legal for me to buy Omeprazole in Mexico and bring it with me to the U.S.? Does the answer depend upon the quantity?


I bought two bottles a couple of months ago and brought it back. I declared it and everything else that I bought, and had no problems at the border.

[Edited on 7-31-2019 by tjsue]

ZipLine - 8-3-2019 at 09:28 AM

My experience after many crossings over six years....

Only once was I even asked about Rx medications (at Tecate and I had none with me) and was given a stern warning that I would need a doctor Rx with me. So... now when I carry meds (for a more than a day visit to the USA) - i go to Farmacia Similares - and pay the doctor maybe 50 pesos (the going rate) - explain what I need - s/he smiles and understands that I have to obey stupid laws - and writes out an Rx for what I will be taking with me. I carry that script with me.

But... I have never been stopped again or asked about meds again in the years since that came up.

If you are carrying something suspect (a buzz providing pain killer in a large quantity, for example) - it might be more of an issue, but if you are carrying something simple like metoprolol (blood pressure medication) or similar - I doubt anyone really cares.

I think the worst you would get would be a stern tongue lashing from a constipated border guard who thinks you look like the guy his wife ran away with yesterday :-) - and most would just smile and send you on your way. Really... they are just humans with a difficult job. If you go into it with a respectful attitude and nice smile - it works out just fine - 99.9% of the time.

SFandH - 8-3-2019 at 10:19 AM

Carrying any scheduled drug purchased in Mexico could get you in trouble.

Examples:

Schedule 1: marijuana, heroin, LSD, ecstasy, and magic mushrooms
Schedule 2: cocaine, meth, oxycodone, Adderall, Ritalin, and Vicodin
Schedule 3: Tylenol with codeine, ketamine, anabolic steroids, and testosterone
Schedule 4: Xanax, Soma, Darvocet, Valium, and Ambien
Schedule 5: Robitussin AC, Lomotil, Motofen, Lyrica, and Parepectolin

https://www.vox.com/2014/9/25/6842187/drug-schedule-list-mar...



AKgringo - 8-3-2019 at 11:13 AM

A habit I tried to form years ago, is to take off my sunglasses when talking to someone when communication is important!

I started doing it when I was a ski patroller responding to injury or rescue situations, and I believe that eye contact helped relieve some of the stress for the patient.

It seems to help at traffic or inspection stops, and I do this on both sides of the border!

RocketJSquirrel - 8-10-2019 at 10:49 AM

AKgringo is right. Taking off your sunglasses is just polite. Open front AND back windows so they can see in your car. If you make their life easier, they make YOUR life easier. It's just common sense.

AKgringo - 8-10-2019 at 11:22 AM

If I actually had something to hide, I believe I would keep the sunglasses on. I know from the poker games that we had when I was working out at the end of the Aleutian Islands, that I can't bluff worth a shift!