Ah, travelling to Mexico! For the beaches, the food, the culture, the historic sites – and for drugs. No, not street drugs, but for prescription drugs that are expensive in the U.S., and available less expensively in Mexico. For years, many Americans have traveled to Mexico with the express purpose of buying drugs that are priced out of reach for them back home, and/or for being able to buy prescription drugs without a prescription. Is this practice safe? How easily can it be done? And are the drugs legit?
U.S. & Mexican Governments Issue Statements
Very recently (mid-2023) both the U.S. and Mexican governments have issues statements addressing this kind of drug tourism.
The Mexican government has recently taken action to address the issue involving pharmacy tourism in popular tourist areas like Cancun, Playa del Carmen, and Tulum. As reported by the Associated Press, a total of 23 pharmacies located within resorts were discovered to be involved in the sale of pills, falsely labeled as Oxycodone, Percocet, and Adderall, targeting tourists. These pharmacies were observed dispensing these medications without requiring valid prescriptions.
In March the U.S government issued an advisory to travelers, urging them to refrain from purchasing non-prescribed medications from Mexican pharmacies. Following thorough investigations, Mexican authorities disclosed that 42% of the pharmacies they investigated were engaging in questionable sales practices.
Take-Out? Some Drugs with Your Food
Mexican authorities have stated that some of the now shuttered pharmacies were even offering delivery services, even for Oxycodone, which is a Schedule II controlled substance in the U.S.
Tainted Drugs
A report released by UCLA Health in February 2023 exposed tangible evidence that counterfeit pills from northern Mexican pharmacies popular with tourists in contained substances like fentanyl, heroin, and methamphetamine. The counterfeit pills were predominantly sold to U.S. tourists and often masqueraded as controlled substances such as Oxycodone, Percocet, and Adderall.
Is There A Legit Way For Tourists To Use Mexican Pharmacies?
Can you legally purchase medications in Mexico? Yes. There are regulations governing the transportation of pharmaceuticals across the border, and it’s important to note that these regulations may undergo changes without prior notification, underscoring the need to stay well-informed.
Legality of Obtaining Prescriptions from Mexican Pharmacies
The transportation of prescription medications approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) from Mexico to the United States is permissible within certain limitations.
For controlled substances, including select cough medicines, tranquilizers, sleeping pills, antidepressants, and stimulants, the permissible limit is up to 50 dosage units without a prescription. Exceeding this limit necessitates a prescription from a licensed U.S. physician or dentist registered with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) generally restricts the importation of supplies exceeding a 90-day duration.
Of note, a prescription from a Mexican doctor is no longer considered valid.
Furthermore, a written declaration attesting that the medication is intended for personal use is mandatory. This declaration signifies an agreement not to distribute or share the drugs with others.
All medications must be declared upon arrival at the border and retained in their original containers. It’s important to recognize that medications lacking FDA approval might not be permitted. Failing to properly declare imported medications to CBP agents is deemed illegal.
Importation of Unapproved Drugs
Some U.S. travelers go to Mexico to obtain drugs that are not approved by the FDA, but that they have researched and believe are advantageous to their medical situation.
The FDA prohibits the importation of “unapproved new drugs” with the intention of distribution and sale. This category encompasses drugs failing to meet FDA standards for safety and efficacy, encompassing foreign variations of U.S. approved drugs.
There are exceptions to these regulations, such as for over the counter (OTC) products not intended for severe conditions, which present no significant health risk, and for prescription products for serious conditions where effective treatment is unavailable in the U.S.
In other words, regulations offer lawful avenues for law-abiding Americans facing difficulties accessing or affording medications within the U.S.
Staying Current with Legal Requirements
The U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) website furnishes an updated catalog of restricted and prohibited items. The FDA also provides guidelines for importing drugs initially intended for foreign markets. Given the ever-evolving nature of CBP regulations, it’s crucial to remain aware of up-to-date information; call (877) 227-5511 for real-time information. If air travel is involved, contacting the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) can provide clarity on requirements.
Secure Practices for Online Purchase of Prescription Drugs
Importing prescription medication from a Mexican pharmacy – online or in person – carries inherent risks. Since the FDA solely oversees drugs marketed and sold within the U.S., there is no guarantee of drug purity, safety, or quality for those obtained elsewhere, including Mexico. This risk is magnified for drugs available by prescription in the U.S., but accessible over the counter in Mexico.
The Risks Of Buying Drugs From Mexican Pharmacies
There are many potential safety risks linked to imported medications such as:
- Contamination, or presence of harmful substances.
- Counterfeit versions lacking accurate ingredients.
- Expired medications with reduced effectiveness.
- Variability in potency.
- Use of untested or banned ingredients in the U.S.
- Potential for unsupervised usage.
- Challenges related to labeling and language.
- Lack of comprehensive information about side effects.
Required Documentation
Verifying current CBP requirements is essential. Customs officials generally request a letter from the individual (patient) stating the purpose of the drug obtained from a Mexican pharmacy for the treatment of a serious medical condition.
Additionally, you’ll need to provide the name and address of the U.S. licensed doctor overseeing your treatment with the product, or evidence of ongoing treatment initiated in another country.
The medication should be preserved in its original container, accompanied by a doctor’s instructions in English, and typically not exceeding a three-month supply.
The Takeaway
Transporting prescriptions obtained from a Mexican pharmacy into the United States is subject to limitations. This practice is acceptable under specific circumstances: for individuals with serious medical conditions, when effective treatments are unavailable in the U.S., and when the drug poses no undue risks, as assessed by the U.S. government. Even in these instances, restrictions apply, such as a cap on the three-month supply.
All that said, there are no guarantees that you would be getting what you intended to purchase. Drugs in Mexican pharmacies have been found to be tainted. Buyer beware.
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