Nogales,AZ/MEX-Need a prescription? (Yuma: credit card, buying, pharmacy)

[Blue Grass Fever]

Has anyone been to Nogales, Meh-i-co? This town has absolutely has to be what Las Vegas is to gambling, Nogales is to pharmacy stores. It is really bizarre to see so many stores concentrated in one area. You can get just about everything here, illegally or legally. Don't have a doc's note, no problem, just pick up your medicine in the alley behind the store.

I understand the need for cheaper medicines but to what extent?

Has anybody ever been to this pharmacy border town? If so, what did you think of it?

[humble101]

To start off with there are not many variables in prices on prescriptions in Nogales. Some things you do need a prescription on but like in Algadones-Yuma the "Doctor" can write you a prescription right there. When I go to either place I ONLY get medications for my dogs. Don't need any human meds ---YET!

In Algadones Mexico--Yuma you see Canadian visitors in the trailer parks just outside of town on the American side. They do all their medicines there. I have heard a lot about the medicines there, that there is as high a rate as 25 per cent counterfeit rate. They are not counterfeit. Their system of labeling, like their whiskey is very inferior. For example, if you were getting a medication that was supposed to be 10MG's strength, it may only be 2 MG's strength.
I have a hard time trusting human medications there, but my friend got Somas there and they are just fine. I have gotten medications for my dogs for tick fever. They worked because we did tests on the dogs every couple weeks and their titer(indication of lack of anemia), had progressed quite well.

If I were on limited Social Security income and needed lots of medications I would get mine there. I would just have to get over my misgivings. Lots and lots and lots of people get their medications there.They would probably be fine. The United States pharmacies swear against them that they are not good. Of course they would say that. Look at the outrageous prices in America. My overall view of Nogales and what I have gotten there(CASH-- no credit card for later exchange worries), is quite favorable.

[humble101]

However I worded the prescription part, it is always best to have a prescription with you from your Doctor because anything requiring a prescription here will require a prescription there. The key thing is, there is not much to worry about because in all places(Algadones-Yuma or Nogales, Mexico), everyone in all the pharmacies knows what to expect at the border and what is legal at the border coming back across.
Sometimes they have had me open the bag at the border and ask what I have. Other times they just wave a whole bunch of people through, especially when you are older folks and they know what you are there for. Meds. Maybe some of their whiskey and other stuff.. Their whiskey is the strangest thing. When you go in to a place for that and it has their label on it, and it says "Bottled in bond", it will be weak and watered down. You have to specifically say, "No, I want the whiskey that says "This whiskey is 86 proof and is six years old". They go in the back room for that. Their alcohol, which a lot of people go there for also, is watered down.
Anyway, we are fixing to go back again for some more meds.. But you have to buy a lot more now than before, figuring in the cost of gas, but we always buy other stuff and just go for the trip anyhow. I just give the kids a dollar and not get a shoeshine just to get them away from trying to shine my shoes as I'm walking away.

[Blue Grass Fever]

They will still sell you whatever you need/want with prescription or no prescription from your doctor or what is legal or illegal into the U.S.

[humble101]

You may go across one time with something illegal here but the next time you may be stopped. How well I know. My buddy went down there to get his Somas. No problem the pharmacy said. He bought 500 more somas(only allowed 500 but he and his wife were addicted), and when he got to the border in his truck, something told them to bring in the drug sniffing dog. He got caught and they flushed the 500 he wasn't allowed down the comode and fined him 50 dollars.It was just a formality. Regardless of what you think you can do, just don't do it.
I'm sure many people buy a little bottle of something not legal in the US and have it in their purse or in their pocket but I wouldn't try it too much. Mexico doesn't care if the federales lock you up forever as long as they can sell you some drugs, legal or illegal.

[bazil]

I'm looking for pharmacy phone numbers in Nogales - in order to get a drug that is still available there but has been restricted in the US. Don't want to fly down unless I know they have it. Does anyone have a pharmacy over the border to recommend? I'm looking for Zelnorm. Thanks.

[Bummer]

Originally Posted by Blue Grass Fever

Has anybody ever been to this pharmacy border town? If so, what did you think of it?

Great question, Blue Grass

I've been down there a few times only because visiting friends insisted on checking it out but there is no way I would even consider buying an aspirin, let alone an unknown prescription drug.