Dangers of Mexican Pharmacies

Many Mexican border pharmacies like this one in Tijuana cater to U.S. customers.

Pharmacies in Mexico---especially those along the border---are popular with U.S. consumers looking for a bargain on prescription medication. And while most people frequent Mexican pharmacies without problem, there are still health and safety risks involved.

FDA Warning

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration warns Americans that they are taking a risk any time they buy medicine outside the U.S. "This medicine may be fake, have the wrong ingredient, or have no medicine at all---and could be dangerous to your health," the FDA says.

U.S. Customs

Some medications that can be bought over the counter in Mexico require a prescription in the U.S., which can cause problems with customs upon returning home.

Arrests

The U.S. State Department's consular information page for Mexico reports that U.S. citizens have been arrested in that country after having prescriptions written by an American physician filled at a Mexican pharmacy.

Extortion

In other cases, criminals posing as police have detained Americans who bought medication at a Mexican pharmacy and extorted money from them, the State Department says.

Phony Prescriptions

In another frightening scenario, the State Department says that Mexican doctors have been arrested for writing phony prescriptions, and that U.S. citizens who used the prescriptions were detained as well, sometimes for long periods.

References

• U.S. Food and Drug Administration: Dangers of Buying Medicine Outside the U.S.
• U.S. State Department Consular Information for Mexico