I’ve never been more thankful for the ability to purchase my prescription medication outside of the country…

Apparently there’s an insulin shortage?
How tf is there an insulin shortage?

I’m very lucky that while we were in Mexico right before thanksgiving my husband said “you’ve been having issues getting some of your ex’s filled maybe you should purchase some insulin and other necessary meds in case there continues to be problems”

And so I did
Purchase the insulin and thyroid medication.
If I would’ve thought of it sooner I’d have bought the unmixed amoxicillin too, as I had so much trouble getting that for my son when he developed an ear infection in December.

This is absolutely crazy 😩

I feel really bad for anyone who can’t afford their medication on a regular basis as is, or who can’t afford it at all and don’t qualify for any help from their state to get these life saving meds!”

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Heartlander · 80-89, M

Just be careful when crossing the border back into the US. There's possibly a limit on how much you can bring across the border, so there's a risk of having some of it confiscated. Also check state laws.

https://www.dayodental.com/what-are-the-rules-on-buying-prescription-meds-from-mexico/

KaysHealingPath · 36-40, F

@Heartlander as a Mexican and American citizen as long as the medications is for my personal use and prescribed to me they will not confiscate it.

Heartlander · 80-89, M

@KaysHealingPath I remember reading someplace where there was a limit of like a 2 or 3 month supply. It's been a while but there was a period when we visited the border area 3 or 4 times a year and we took advantage of both cheap rum and medicine.

KaysHealingPath · 36-40, F

@Heartlander I’ve never had a problem 🤷🏻‍♀️ but then again I only bring enough to cover me in an emergency in case I have insurance issues or supply issues like my pharmacy is having now

I don’t bring more than what I’d need in an emergency because I’d hate for insulin to expire in my refrigerator

Heartlander · 80-89, M

@KaysHealingPath

Likewise. We have/had family within walking distance of Mexico and until the crime issues we enjoyed big savings on prescription drugs there.

There may also be an issue with a need for a prescription. Though I don't recall ever being asked by the customs/border patrol if I or we had a prescription. But, if you ever found yourself in a "would everyone please get out of the car" type situations at the border, there may be more questions than "Where is everyone from?" :) Also depending on where you reenter the US, there may be limitations or restrictions imposed by state laws.

When I was in the Air Force I made re-entry in different states and people bringing wine, beer, hard alcohol had to be extra careful about state laws. In one state (Ohio?) there was a limit of one quart, period! Everything beyond was confiscated. There wasn't even option to pay the tax on it.

There may also be issues with trade laws, trade rights. But along the border, everyone would know about that and it's unlikely that Mexican pharmacist would sell you anything that couldn't be carried across the border into the US.

The only thing I've ever had confiscated at the border was an orange. When asked asked about what I was bringing back I told them "nothing". Then they said something like "what about that orange on the back seat". I told them it was an orange I had gotten in the US at the Air Force dining hall. They said something like "too bad" and they took it.

KaysHealingPath · 36-40, F

@Heartlander I’ve never had an issue crossing the border and I always have my scripts with my medication

As a chronic illness sufferer i know what I need to carry and how

I’m aware of the laws and we only cross at one entry point. It’s always Juarez and again never been detained for any reason.
Heck the last time the agent said we made his day because he got to play with my bulldog through the window while we answered his questions.

Heartlander · 80-89, M

@KaysHealingPath Almost all of our Mexican border experience has been at the Laredo border and likewise it was positive. There was a time before the drug war when we felt comfortable walking back and forth across the border just to have lunch or dinner, or just to shop.

Practically all of our family there has left the area and moved to heaven, so less and less visits to the area over the past dozen years. Just gossip type awareness from friends and cousins of what life on the border is like nowadays.

I was also once a flyer in the Air Force and routinely cleared customs in various places over those years. I recall the trade law issue coming up once, I believe over a camera. Also numerous cases of confiscated alcohol. In general, if you want to cross the border with more than a quart, you should check federal and state laws for where you are going to land.

KaysHealingPath · 36-40, F

@Heartlander currently, through Juarez a max of 3 bottles per adult in any one vehicle.

We bring 6 back with us, most of which are gifts for special occasions and 2 we keep in our home