Mexico’s New Prescription Drug Law – Good or Bad?

[North American Standards]

The Mexican government passed a new law a few months ago requiring that all consumers who purchase antibiotics must present an original prescription from a certified Mexican doctor. This means no citizen, resident or tourist in Mexico is allowed to just walk into a pharmacy in Mexico and buy whatever antibiotic they choose without first visiting a doctor. Although this new decree makes it more difficult for many to treat simple illnesses like travelers diarrhea by simply purchasing Cipro (ciprofloxacin - an antibiotic used to treat bacterial infections), the law appears to be well-intended and may actually do some good.

A couple of months ago while we were in the US Allan's American doctor recommended Allan take Cipro for a week to cure a minor medical condition. Allan decided to pick up the drug when we returned to Playa del Carmen as it was less expensive (and we were unaware of the new law). When Allan sent me to the pharmacy in Mexico I was stunned that the pharmacists would not sell it without a prescription. They mentioned a new law passed and pointed to a sign explaining the new legislation. I unsuccessfully tried 4 different pharmacies, hoping one would ignore the law.

At first we viewed the law as a bit of an inconvenience. We wondered why Mexico was focusing on antibiotics. Although they are strongly regulated in the US, so is almost everything in America. From our experience in Mexico things are a bit more laid back. Why decide to control antibiotics now?

Our opinion has since changed after speaking with a local Mexican doctor. According to him the Mexican legislature was faced with a financial crisis and felt compelled to act. Many sick were incorrectly self-medicating themselves with antibiotics, often with the wrong dosage or completely wrong medicine. Consequently the state sponsored hospitals were seeing a rise in the amount of patients who required stronger, and hence more expensive, antibiotics because the bacteria was becoming resistant to the antibiotics. Through improper use and dosage, the sick were essentially not killing the bacteria, but rather making it stronger. Hypothetically 8 out of every 10 patients would now need the more expensive drug and the state would have to pay for it. Additionally, by now requiring people to first visit a doctor the state would essentially help to control proper diagnosis and treatment of illnesses, thus also providing more public safety and cutting cost by hopefully having less sick.

Although the new prescription drug law makes it more difficult for us to treat minor illnesses on our own, it does help us to correctly treat our medical problems and hopefully stop the stem of antibiotic resistant bacteria. Hopefully the government will be able to cut costs and put the money to good use, like maybe fighting poverty in Mexico. A routine visit from a doctor is probably a good idea anyway, even if it is not the most convenient.

The new law also has allowed me to experience the humor of living in Mexico. Yesterday at the pharmacy the technician was pointing to a line item on the prescription and indicated that it was not in their system. Written in English were the words "plenty of fluids". I explained that it meant the patient should drink more water. When the technician could not find in their system another item on the list I joking said it meant "kiss more girls".

[heardling]

A really good natural remedy for travelers diarrhea is scraped apple, cold tea. Just grate an apple, skin and all, into iced tea or cold tea and drink until you are better. Usually takes 12 - 24 hours and you are good as new. Even works for salmonella!

By the way, I believe it is a good law too!

[North American Standards]

Thanks for that info. I think I like your recipe better than taking drugs. I'll have to try it!

[Mindbender]

It's a good law.

As a Brit, I was surprised how much Mexicans self medicate and how many drugs they keep in the household. Our medicine drawer is like a chemists!

Different cultures and all that. All I used to have was some plasters, paracetamol, and a stiff upper lip.

[MstrMstr]

In order to curb the rampant infectious diseases, caused by people NOT buying the antibiotics they need, some pharmacies are providing the oral types of meds for FREE. This goes for preventives also, like premed for oral work on patients with diabetes or heart conditions or any disease that weakens the natural immune system. We still need a scipt, but most urgent cares will write it(refillable) for about $25.00 US. The providing companies are large chain stores and get one heckuva lot more payable scripts because of this one bit of intelligent generosity.
This one act of intelligent marketing could possibly save us from a locally started pandemic. Now if we could get Flu vaccine for free to everyone- that would be great! Our local health departments are providing to the elderly and infirm and I give them a big thumbs up

[Rissask]

I say 'good'....and long overdue.

Misuse and overprescribing of antibiotics is a big problem and is causing there to be more and more resistant strains of bacteria...this is good news.

[Joe H]

I was in playa about two weeks ago. There was no problem getting antibiotics, i did not need a script. Nor do you need one at the pharmacy in the airport people were buying them right and left without a script.

[gingele]

Originally Posted by Rissask

I say 'good'....and long overdue.

Misuse and overprescribing of antibiotics is a big problem and is causing there to be more and more resistant strains of bacteria...this is good news.

[maya]

Originally Posted by Joe H

I was in playa about two weeks ago. There was no problem getting antibiotics, i did not need a script. Nor do you need one at the pharmacy in the airport people were buying them right and left without a script.

well its just a matter of time before these pharmacies will get caught and the fine is very stiff. It is against the law.

[MRSHOLLYWOOD]

Does this apply to all drugs or just antibiotics?

[angelhouston819]

Originally Posted by MRSHOLLYWOOD

Does this apply to all drugs or just antibiotics?

i'd like to know this too. i had planned on picking up some meds for myself and i have a friend who really needs a medication b/c it is so darn expensive here in the states. i'm thinking it's only antibiotics, but not sure....



A'

[supersponge]

Originally Posted by Mindbender

It's a good law.

As a Brit, I was surprised how much Mexicans self medicate and how many drugs they keep in the household. Our medicine drawer is like a chemists!

Different cultures and all that. All I used to have was some plasters, paracetamol, and a stiff upper lip.

Hi ya my daughter works for a pharmacutical company and last year when we were in PDC she wanted something for headace, should could not beleive that they gave her some tablets that we can only get here on prescription, they were a really strong pain killer kind of life or death sort of thing. my cupboard too only has plasters, etc. I keep running out of stiff upper lip though

[North American Standards]

The new law is limited to antibiotics only. There are other drugs which also need a prescription, but you needed a prescription before to get them, so nothing has changed in that regard. Regardless, even if the pharmacy was supposed to ask for a prescription you never knew if they would ask for it - sometimes yes, sometimes no. With antibiotics, they ALWAYS ask.

[MstrMstr]

The antibiotic scare is just that. The so called misuse of antibiotics is not from public use but by prescribed medication over the last few decades.
The horse has left the barn.. too late to protect yourself from MRSA - it is now transmutaed and is "catchable". According to the CDC Hospitals and nursing homes are noted as major sources of the bacteria. It is a common bacteria around us and more likely to make you "sick" if your already ill or immune compromised in any way. The conversation is never ending but its a fact antibiotics did not cause the disease, our bodies natural building of resistance over time did.. you can help protect yourself with good personal hygiene, handwashing and awareness.
MRSA: How Do People Catch It?

MRSA can spread through physical contact with an infected person or something you've touched. Conditions that help to spread MRSA include: close skin-to-skin contact; cuts or scrapes in the skin; sharing personal hygiene articles such as razors and towels; and contact with contaminated items including door handles and athletic equipment. One in 100 people carry the bacteria though it is rare to develop the disease.
MRSA is found now to be transmittable thru cats and dogs as well found almost everywhere humans are. The bacteria survives without a host and can be transmitted by casual contact.

Bottom line,
Government restrictions on medications will not stop disease

[Rissask]

Antibiotic misuse - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia


Sure, much of the problem is due to people being prescribed antibiotics in error....how many people have you heard of who go to their doctor and almost INSIST they get a scrip and the stupid doctor caves in to the pressure and prescribes it?

So it's BETTER that they are available without even a doctor prescribing it, when the experts screw up sp frequently already....the average layman is going to be smarter? come on....