I just wonder why medicines from mexico are so cheap. I have asthma and i really cant afford buying so many medicines for me. I found a pharmacy which i get my medicine its medicinesmexico.com they have the cheapest medicines.
Why are medicines in mexico are so cheap?
Question posted by Chris Willy on 24 Feb 2012
Last updated on 16 September 2021 by DanBehrman
Answers
DanBehrman
16 Sep 2021
There is a lot of misleading information in the other answers, and a lot of that comes from fear mongering put in place by lobbyists. There are a lot of reasons why medications are less expensive, but let me use one example: insulin.
A lantus Insulin pen is $100 in the US. That same pen is $12 in Mexico. It's made by the same manufacturer, which is german. This has nothing to do with inferior quality. In fact, the same pen is also available in Canada for $12. Mexico does not require a prescription, as a result of less regulation, but that doesn't affect the price much.
The truth about the prices is more closely linked to more competition by allowing more companies to produce medication. The US also has regulations in place so that even if a foreign manufacturer were able to get approved, they could not undercut the prices of American brands.
DzooBaby
24 Feb 2012
The regulations on drugs are a lot more lax in Mexico. Mexico doesnt have an FDA so drugs can be used past the time we, in the US, would expire them, so they can be God knows how long, on the shelf and could be breaking down and less potent. They also do not restrict cancer causing agents so drugs there may contain substances that are cheaper to manufacture but banned in the US.as a carcinogen. They are not banned from adding lead based petroleum products and other heavy metals. The list goes on. Some of these regulations do make drugs more expensive in the US but it also makes them safer. It is your choice on whether or not you want to chance it. I know that it is tempting to save money this way but it could lead to more problems later on when you become toxic from heavy metals like lead and murcury which they dont regulate like we do in the states or you get cancer from carcinogens left in these drugs. Do your research and then decide for yourself what you are willing to put in your body. For myself, I prefer to pay the extra and know my drugs are regulated and safe as they can be.
It may take a little work on your part but there may be less expensive options for your US meds. You can try the manufacturer to see if they have a patient assistance program where you can get the drugs at lower or no cost. There are also organizations that offer deep discounts. Some of these are the Co-Pay Relief Program 1-866-512-3861 or www.copay.org; Suddenly Senior (you dont have to be a senior to use however) www.suddenlysenior.com/patientassistantprograms.html; Needy Meds www.needymeds.org; Partnership for Prescription Assistance 1-888-477-2669 or www.pparx.org are all organizations for helping people get the meds they need at lower cost options. Also check with your state. I know here in AZ we offer the Copper Card which gives drug discounts right at the pharmacy. Research your options-it probably wont take much more time than a trip to Mexico (and will be safer).
DzooBaby
24 Feb 2012
I just want to add a quick article about this very subject from the FDA:
Looks Can Be Deceiving: The Risks Of Buying Medicines From Across The Border Or Around The World
(NAPS)—When it comes to buying medicines, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) believes that nothing is more important than safety.
With this in mind, FDA is warning consumers not to purchase medications from foreign countries, including Canadian Internet pharmacies. Non-FDA approved products sold from these outlets can be risky and dangerous. The FDA’s warning follows a recent announcement by the government of Canada that it cannot assure the safety or effectiveness of medicines being purchased by U.S. consumers from Canada.
In the U.S., FDA sets high standards to ensure that medicines are high quality, safe, and effective products. Around the world, FDA is considered the world’s gold standard. Because of FDA’s efforts and science-based decisions, millions of Americans can get the medicines they need and be assured of their safety and effectiveness when they buy from pharmacies and pharmacists licensed and located in the United States.
Outside the U.S., all bets are off. When buying medicines online or from so-called “store-front” pharmacies, consumers enter the world of what could be unsafe and risky products. Prescription medicines bought outside of the U.S. may be old, poorly manufactured, improperly stored or even counterfeit (fake or tampered with). Crooked people from around the world are shipping counterfeit, dangerous and illegal medicines every day. This safety gap is real: the World Health Organization has determined that more than 80 percent of medicines are counterfeit in some countries.
Bottom line: Buying medicines from outside the U.S. is risky business. Don’t take the risk.
To make sure that an Internet site or pharmacy is a state-licensed pharmacy, is in good standing, and is located in the United States, check with your state board of pharmacy or with the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy (NABP) at www.nabp.net1.
Chris Willy
4 April 2012
thank you very much
kzetmeir
31 Jan 2015
With Rx being the third most common cause of death after Cancer and Heart failure ... how can you be so impressed with the FDA? Have you seen how many recalls occur frequently? One of the major problems is they let the pharmaceutical companies conduct their own testing. Shouldn't unaffiliated third parties be running the tests?
I buy my insulin from Canada and India. Cost for a 5 pack of Humalog at Walmart: $475 ... Cost from Canada (same brand!) there is no generic ... $125
Go figure ... lots of greedy people out there.
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