Fulltime Newbie Concerns: Prescriptions from Mexico?
One of the things that concern many fulltime newbies is that of keeping to a budget. With the current oil company guzzling act, many of us are watching our nickles and dimes real closely. Can you save money on buying your prescription drugs in Mexico? Is it legal? Is it safe?
From our own experience we can safely say, yes, you can often save money on your prescription drugs when you shop in Mexico. We say this even though both of us have medical insurance that really does help with the cost of prescription drugs. Nevertheless, even with insurance, some of our “RX needs” are really cheaper South of the Border. If you don’t have health insurance, then you’ll find Mexican pharmacies a Godsend.
But before you go, do your homework: First make sure your doc is prescribing generic drugs wherever possible. Generics are typically FAR LESS expensive than their non-generic counterparts. Next, check out Walmart prices–many popular generics are available for $4 for a 30-day supply.
An excellent source of information on Mexican prescription shopping is The Peoples Guide to Mexico. So many folks have questions about this vital topic that they’ve devoted a whole section of the site to it, with a really great FAQ section.
When dealing with customs officials on your return to the US, follow common sense. First, read the FAQs from the Peoples Guide with particular attention to US legalities. Don’t try to fool the customs officials, they may look to be of “dull normal intelligence” but their training makes them quick to pick up on fools. And don’t make the mistake one woman made ahead of us in line one day. Asked what she was bringing back from Mexico she smartly told the custom’s officer, “My drugs.” She was summarily “disappeared” to the back room. We’re sure she eventually got out, but who knows how long they sweated her out.
Photo: Topato on flickr.com
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March 17th, 2008 at 4:30 am
It is a great thing to save money every where we can, unfortunately the oil companies are making it tougher when saving also requires the calculating of traveling distance.Do you know a good place to stay while in Mexico to make it more worthwhile?
Thanks for the info.
durite
http://successblognet.com/rvingtotheindyraces
March 17th, 2008 at 9:39 am
durite:
Depending on what part of Old Mex you want to visit, there are always alternatives.
A lot of folks who visit Arizona or California find medications at Los Algadones–just south and east of Yuma a few miles, is an excellent choice. Most stay on the US side, park their toad car on the US side, walk across the border, do their shopping and come back the same day.
If you chose that route, there is some free boondock camping a couple of miles from the border. Look up the border crossing on your California map, the US side is Andrade.
March 21st, 2008 at 8:05 pm
Depending on the drug you need. With the Prescription plans that are required now, sometimes it is not worth the price of gasoline or diesel to drive to Mexico.
Also, I have found that the Mexican pharmacies south of California and Arizona are geared to the wealthy gringo. To get better prices south of Texas would be the more economical trip for your prescription drugs.
You will not need a prescription for most drugs, but if you are wanting Narcotic drugs, you will need a prescription.
As another response said, don’t get cute when passing back into the USA. They will detain you if you try to act up. Just an answer, that you only have prescription medicine is sufficiant. Or even simpler, medicine.
March 24th, 2008 at 4:26 am
[…] Fulltime Newbie Concerns: Prescriptions from Mexico? One of the things that concern many fulltime newbies is that of keeping to a budget. With the current oil company guzzling act, many of us are watching our nickles and dimes real closely. Can you save money on buying your prescription drugs in Mexico? Is it legal? Is it safe? From […] […]
March 24th, 2008 at 10:52 am
[…] Fulltime Newbie Concerns: Prescriptions from Mexico? One of the things that concern many fulltime newbies is that of keeping to a budget. With the current oil company guzzling act, many of us are watching our nickles and dimes real closely. Can you save money on buying your prescription drugs in Mexico? Is it legal? Is it safe? From […] […]
March 27th, 2008 at 5:02 pm
[…] Fulltime Newbie Concerns: Prescriptions from Mexico? One of the things that concern many fulltime newbies is that of keeping to a budget. With the current oil company guzzling act, many of us are watching our nickles and dimes real closely. Can you save money on buying your prescription drugs in Mexico? Is it legal? Is it safe? From […] […]
April 3rd, 2008 at 7:22 am
[…] We all know how expensive prescription drugs are these days. That’s why many fulltimers RVing near Mexico cross the border to fill their prescriptions. They save money, but are drugs from Mexico safe? And is buying them there even legal? Fulltimer and blogger Russ De Maris often shops south of the border, and he has the answers. […]
April 5th, 2008 at 5:05 am
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Please keep these excellent posts coming….
April 6th, 2008 at 1:20 am
[…] Fulltime Newbie Concerns: Prescriptions from Mexico? One of the things that concern many fulltime newbies is that of keeping to a budget. With the current oil company guzzling act, many of us are watching our nickles and dimes real closely. Can you save money on buying your prescription drugs in Mexico? Is it legal? Is it safe? From […] […]
April 6th, 2008 at 8:47 am
[…] Fulltime Newbie Concerns: Prescriptions from Mexico? One of the things that concern many fulltime newbies is that of keeping to a budget. With the current oil company guzzling act, many of us are watching our nickles and dimes real closely. Can you save money on buying your prescription drugs in Mexico? Is it legal? Is it safe? From […] […]