Find a pharmacy near the border. The city of Tijuana has hundreds of pharmacies to choose from. In every shopping mall, plaza and on major streets you will find more than a couple of pharmacies. Often they have people dressed in clown-type costumes to attract families to the stores. Many pharmacies remain open 24 hours, and at night, they provide service through a slot in the door.
Know the scientific name of the drug or medication you want to buy. Have a copy of your prescription in hand to show the pharmacist. If you can, visit a local doctor in Mexico to write you a prescription in Spanish. You can get an appointment at the local Red Cross for a suggested donation of
$5. Most pharmacies will fill prescriptions from the United States without any questions or problems. Quite a few ignore the need for a prescription in any case.
Avoid accepting an alternate brand you are unfamiliar with. Ask for the brand by name. If the pharmacist claims he or she does not carry that brand, check another pharmacy. If your brand is unavailable, verify that the scientific name of the drug is the same made by a different manufacturer. If the pharmacist tries to sell you another drug that he claims is the same kind and quality you are seeking, visit a local doctor to have him write the prescription for the drug by name. Do not take risks using medications that are supposed to be equivalents but may not be.
Be sure to retain your receipt and prescription papers with the medication. Police have been known to stop American tourists and interrogate them about drugs they may have purchased at a local pharmacy. Having the prescription and receipt avoids the unnecessary hassle of having to face a judge to explain the situation.
Be sure to present any medication purchased in Mexico at the border check point. Do not take a risk in bringing either banned drugs or quantities of legal drugs across the border in violation of the law. Present to the customs officials the containers and receipts and prescriptions for all drugs you are bringing back into the country. The money saved on the purchase of Mexican medications should not be squandered in paying an attorney to free you from charges.
