Prescripton Drugs from Mexico or Canada

JerryM

Flashlight Enthusiast
Joined
Dec 12, 2003
Messages
1,042
Location
New Mexico
I hear various things as to the legality of importing prescription drugs from Mexico or Canada.

Since I live in NM, I know that a fair number of people have prescriptions filled in Mexico. They say it is legal, but I have heard that it is not, but that it is not enforced.

I do not need to get mine there, but I am curious since I know many people do.

I bet Sasha might know.

Jerry
 

Greta

Flashaholic
Joined
Apr 8, 2002
Messages
15,999
Location
Arizona
I asked my husband and his reply was, "I don't think you're allowed to but it's not something they screen for".

The only drawback to getting 'scripts in Mexico is that you have to watch the manufacturers and the labeling. Some of the prescription drugs down there are NOT the "real" stuff and can be deadly. But if you know what to look for, they are the exact same drug you're paying ten times as much for here.
 

Marty Weiner

Flashlight Enthusiast
Joined
Oct 31, 2002
Messages
1,038
Location
Same Area Code As Death Valley
There are scheduled bus trips from my area (and well organized) that transport seniors to drug stores in Mexico for the sole purpose of buying discount drugs.

These tour companies advertise on TV and radio openly so if it's illegal you would never know it by their activity.
 

JerryM

Flashlight Enthusiast
Joined
Dec 12, 2003
Messages
1,042
Location
New Mexico
Thanks, Sasha. I figured you would know from your being a pharmacist, I think.

Jerry
 

raggie33

*the raggedier*
Joined
Aug 11, 2003
Messages
13,453
one of my fav shows is insominac with dave altell well the show is just him going to citys and partying he is a comedian wellhe went to mexico and he went to pharmisct and he just told pharmicist stuff and pharmist gave him all kinds of stuff. man that scares me
 

BB

Flashlight Enthusiast
Joined
Jun 17, 2003
Messages
2,129
Location
SF Bay Area
From Expert Law web site about on-line pharmacies--but I believe it also applies to those people crossing the borders:

[ QUOTE ]
In general, a United States consumer is permitted to import up to ninety days supply of a prescription drug for personal use. Thus, with a valid prescription, it is ordinarily lawful to purchase drugs online, including from other states or countries. Some states have attempted to restrict the import of drugs, particularly those obtained through online prescription services, or through pharmacies not licensed to dispense medications in those states.

[/ QUOTE ]

There are a lot of other issues that can be discussed--but the basic answer is yes it is legal for a person to import for up to a 90 day prescription for personal use.

-Bill
 

Charles Bradshaw

Flashlight Enthusiast
Joined
Sep 14, 2002
Messages
2,495
Location
Mansfield, OH
Part of the Medicare Prescription law made getting your prescriptions filled in Canada and Mexico (or any other country), AND bringing them back to the USA, a Felony. You can thank the Drug Manufacturers for that whole mess. The USA pays for all of the lost profits from Foreign Prescription Price Controls via gouged prices.
 

Harrkev

Enlightened
Joined
Aug 30, 2001
Messages
443
Location
Colorado Springs, CO
I get drugs from Canada for my mother. The thought of drugs from Mexico scares me, though. It seems far more likely to get counterfits from Mexico.

I go throught www.tcds.com, and have had no complaints at all. And from Canada, I have no worries about the safety of the medication.

This whole thing gets me MAD /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/mad.gif My mother's prescription is over $400/month in the US, and I can save about 1/3 buying in Canada, for the exact same medication (NOT a generic)! I do not know WHY they are so expensive over here, except that with all of the insurance, most Americans can afford it. If the average consumer has insurance, they do not even notice the price of their medications. And there is NO incentive for doctors to perscribe the cheaper medications. In fact, the drug reps visit doctor's offices giving away the free samples of their more expensive drugs, along with all of those logo "leave behinds" (pens, clocks, etc.). So, with the exception of the insurance companies and the uninsured, there is absolutely no reason for anybody to prefer cheaper drugs.

When buying drugs in the US, just yell "BOHICA!" (look it up).
 

Greta

Flashaholic
Joined
Apr 8, 2002
Messages
15,999
Location
Arizona
Kev... you're partially correct... but not entirely. I've had my eyes opened quite a bit now with working in a pharmacy. And while there are some who pay next to nothing for their meds, there are more who pay such outrageous prices... even with insurance... that I find myself constantly /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thinking.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/mad.gif.

Our seniors (65+) didn't plan for what is happening to them right now. They didn't have to. They were promised that they would be taken care of. It is very sad that they were so let down. The next generation (55+) started to see what was happening and took some steps to ensure their future... but it still wasn't enough. And then there is the 40+ generation. We saw it and we are pretty secure at this point. What really worries me is the 20+ generation! Wanna know what I see every day? They get their meds for NOTHING!!! They have figured out the system better than any of us could have possibly imagined. They don't have insurance... they have state aid!! So while your Mom and Gramma are paying out the butt for meds that they NEED, some 22 year old college drop-out with 3 kids by three different fathers is getting her oxycontin for NOTHING!! Someone has to pick up the cost... it's the rest of us who believe in actually working for our futures.

And you brought up a very good point about the free samples. This is the thing that really hacks me off! I see people coming in to fill a 'script for simple allergy meds... Zyrtec. Their co-pay is anywhere from $58 to $85 for a one month supply!! Without insurance, they pay around $115!! Most of these people end up refusing the 'script because they can't afford that... and they either suffer or buy some OTC product that offers some relief but not enough. Ya know what I do? I tell them to go to their doctor and tell them to take the lock off of that storage closet in the back with all of the free samples in it and hand some of them out. These doctors have literally CLOSETS full of that stuff and they horde it like it's gold or something. I wonder if they get kickbacks from the companies if they don't give out the free stuff... /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/icon6.gif

I used to be so complacent about this issue... until I started working in the pharmacy. Now I just disgusted. I'm not blaming any one administration or political party for what has happened. EVERYONE is guilty... they've all added to the problem. Perhaps if they had to work for just one day in a KMart pharmacy, they'd get a clue... and get a grip on the drug companies and doctors and insurance companies who are facilitating the extortion of our seniors.
 

BB

Flashlight Enthusiast
Joined
Jun 17, 2003
Messages
2,129
Location
SF Bay Area
[ QUOTE ]
Charles Bradshaw said:
Part of the Medicare Prescription law made getting your prescriptions filled in Canada and Mexico (or any other country), AND bringing them back to the USA, a Felony. You can thank the Drug Manufacturers for that whole mess. The USA pays for all of the lost profits from Foreign Prescription Price Controls via gouged prices.

[/ QUOTE ]

The FDA, for now, is still telling US Customs that it is OK to import drugs for personal use:

FDA Drug Import Site
FDA Traveler's Rules and Recommendations

[ QUOTE ]
Traveler Alert

The U.S. Customs Service enforces Federal laws and regulations, including those of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

The United States Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (21 U.S.C. sections 331(d), and 355(a)), which is administered by FDA, prohibits the interstate shipment (which includes importation) of unapproved new drugs. Unapproved new drugs are any drugs, including foreign-made versions of U.S. approved drugs, that have not received FDA approval to demonstrate they meet the federal requirements for safety and effectiveness. It is the importer's obligation to demonstrate to FDA that any drugs offered for importation have been approved by FDA.

FDA has developed guidance entitled "Coverage of Personal Importations" which sets forth that agency's enforcement priorities with respect to the personal importation of unapproved new drugs by individuals for their personal use. The guidance identifies circumstances in which FDA may consider exercising enforcement discretion and refrain from taking legal action against illegally imported drugs. Those circumstances are as follows:

"1) the intended use [of the drug] is unapproved and for a serious condition for which effective treatment may not be available domestically either through commercial or clinical means;

2) there is no known commercialization or promotion to persons residing in the U.S. by those involved in the distribution of the product at issue;

3) the product is considered not to represent an unreasonable risk;

and

4) the individual seeking to import the product affirms in writing that it is for the patient's own use (generally not more than a 3 month supply) and provides the name and address of the doctor licensed in the U.S. responsible for his or her treatment with the product, or provides evidence that the product is for the continuation of a treatment begun in a foreign country." (Emphasis added by FDA)

[/ QUOTE ]

I don't know any details about the new Medicare Law, so I don't know how and/or when the current rules may change.

I do agree that Canada, Mexico, and the world's Socialism is being paid for by US consumers and government. The losers will probably be those with diseases that won't make a profit (like AIDS) as drug development will either be slowed/stopped or taken over by governments (i.e., taxpayers).

[ QUOTE ]
They have the usual socialist disease; they have run out of other people's money.
THATCHER, MARGARET, Speech to a Conservative Party Conference, October 10, 1975

[/ QUOTE ]


-Bill
 

JerryM

Flashlight Enthusiast
Joined
Dec 12, 2003
Messages
1,042
Location
New Mexico
Thanks All.

It is really a puzzle how the same drugs can be sold in Canada or Mexico so much cheaper. The drug companies say that is necessary to charge so much because of R&D. If that is the case why do not the retailers in Canada and Mexico pay for that as we do here?

It is just pure nonsense.

Jerry
 

Wick

Newly Enlightened
Joined
May 8, 2002
Messages
101
Location
North East
It is legal to bring in a 90 day supply as mentioned before. Make sure you have the prescription with you and declare the pills at primary inspection. If you fail to do either you are subject to an admin seizure of the pills and a fine.
 

JerryM

Flashlight Enthusiast
Joined
Dec 12, 2003
Messages
1,042
Location
New Mexico
This AM the CEO of Pfizer was on. He made a lot of sense, and he would have people to attempt to prevent illness by good diet, exercise, etc.

He mentioned that there is a web site that the drug companies are setting up today, that is to help those who cannot afford drugs.

I do not remember what it is called, but I wonder if Sasha or someone involved in some health care profession knows what it is?
It sounded good to help the folks that have no way to get the drugs they need.

Jerry
 

BB

Flashlight Enthusiast
Joined
Jun 17, 2003
Messages
2,129
Location
SF Bay Area
You can try the Pfizer for Living web site.

But, the discount card/program will be discontinued in 2006 when all of the old geezers get the new Medicare drug plan (note: I am only a decade or so from geezer-dom myself--more of a comment on government redistribution of wealth--bit by bit).

[ QUOTE ]
The Medicare-approved drug discount cards program is short-term. The cards will be good until the full Medicare prescription drug benefit goes into effect in 2006.

[/ QUOTE ]

-Bill
 

tkl

Flashlight Enthusiast
Joined
Aug 24, 2002
Messages
2,332
Location
Tx
[ QUOTE ]
Sasha said:
What really worries me is the 20+ generation! Wanna know what I see every day? They get their meds for NOTHING!!! They have figured out the system better than any of us could have possibly imagined. They don't have insurance... they have state aid!!

[/ QUOTE ] Wha!? How are they getting scripts for free?
 

BIGIRON

Flashlight Enthusiast
Joined
Feb 9, 2004
Messages
1,879
Location
South Texas
Last month. Piedras Negras. 100 x 20mg omeprozole (Prilosec) $18USD I declared "Personal medications" -- was waved through and told to have a good day.

BTW this was not the OTC, but sealed pharmacy grade. They work fine.
 

BB

Flashlight Enthusiast
Joined
Jun 17, 2003
Messages
2,129
Location
SF Bay Area
Great price! Prilosec is $386.37 from Costco online-pharmacy for 100.

I really wonder what all is happening. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif

-Bill
 
Top