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gene089

Oct 20, 2010, 5:39 PM

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Prescription Medications?

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In a previous message the poster indicated there was a problem with prescription medications through Mexican Customs because he did not have "written prescriptions", I presume that means doctor's hand written prescriptions, for each, just the normal pharmacy label showing patient, doctor, medication and dosage, date, etc. I take six or seven medications daily for blood pressure, cholestoral, etc. and have traveled in Mexico before with the seven prescription bottles in a bag plus a "weekly" pill box with each day's pills preloaded in each day's compartment to be sure I don't forget anything as some I take in the morning and some in the evening.

I have been casually searched many times at military checkpoints and at the 25 km checkpoint with never any comment or hesitation over the medications although they surely saw them when they casually looked in the bag. Some of the prescription bottles are large and naturally gravitate to the top.

I don't think many doctors today write a hand-written prescription anymore and the pharmacy keeps it any way. I guess I could make a Xerox copy if I had one. Normally my doctor faxes my prescriptions to my mail-order pharmacy or occassionally gives me a computer generated print-out that I mail, but never anything hand written. I thought I could buy my prescriptions (Lipitor, Diavan, etc.) at a Mexican pharmacy without a prescription anyway. What happens if I have a U.S. prescription purchased in Mexico without a prescription?

From the previous poster it appears I have a problem. Do I and any suggestions how to handle if challenged? Do I have to ask my doctor for hand-written prescriptions each time and make Xerox copy to present to Mexican searchers (pharmacy will keep original) and is copy sufficient?

ken_in_dfw

Oct 20, 2010, 7:13 PM

Post #2 of 4 (3199 views)

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Re: [gene089] Prescription Medications?

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Yeah, they don't actually mean a photocopy of the doctor's original prescription. I just either bring the meds in the original bottle with the prescribing doctor's name and RX number on the bottle, or I carry copies of the print-outs that I get from the pharmacy with the same information. I have never been asked for this information in all my travels to Mexico, Europe and Canada and I travel with insulin, needles and the whole lot for diabetes.

Ken

skier14

Oct 21, 2010, 11:01 AM

Post #3 of 4 (3137 views)

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Re: [gene089] Prescription Medications?

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I have never had a problem passing through customs going either way with medications purchased in both Mexico and the U.S. I am currently taking 5 medications for various things that old people seem to have. I use the bottles from the pharmacies NOB to transport in either direction. I always use the newest bottle from NOB to lessen the chance of an expired expiration date. My DR. NOB writes perscriptions for excess amounts per day or excess mg. so I can cut the pills in half and I fill the prescriptions at Wallmart for the very best price as I do not have insurance of any kind except Medicare A. My last trip my medicine cost was just over $100 US for enough drugs for 6 months. In Mexico I usually purchase my medicines again at Wallmart or Pharmacia Similaries.

BobC

Oct 25, 2010, 6:59 AM

Post #4 of 4 (2988 views)

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Re: [gene089] Prescription Medications?

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I am also on a number of prescription meds. I just travel with a "To Whom it may concern" letter from my health care provider listing the meds I am travelling with and dosages. I keep it separate from the actual meds so that I can use it if I ever lose any of the pills or, as happened last year, miscount on one and run short.

I've never been asked for it, but it feels good knowing I have it.

Bob