It always pains me when people say things such as, "I had no desire to do anything illegal," because that's what those who drive drunk usually say after its too late. Although I do not wish upon law-abiding citizens what happened to these people as described in the article, I have to ask, what were they thinking? Seriously, if what I am about to do in a foreign country is well-known to be illegal in my country, doesn't the tiniest WTF!-thought cross my mind? Or do I hold Mexico in such low esteem as to expect a lawless society? I mean, I would never, ever even consider buying a pharmeceutical product from someone holding "a hand-lettered sign" let alone one with whom I had to barter. I guess some people will swallow anything.

Being willfully ignorant should not condemn one to a prison sentence. Then again, I'm not willing to leverage all my compassion on people who really, truly ought to know better.

I found the article valuable, and surprising.

I speak fluent Spanish, I've been to Mexico a half dozen times, and traveled all over South America. It's fairly standard that you can get many drugs without prescriptions at "farmacias" throughout Latin America.

And I'd NEVER heard about any "Have to have a Mexican prescription" law either.

I've done it myself -- stocking up on pricey "Retin-A" cream, for example, which is about $25 a tube in Mexico, compared to $150 in the U.S. Or getting a couple of antibiotic prescriptions just to have on hand. Or, a few times when I actually wasn't feeling well, talking to the pharmacist, and having him suggest this or that prescription drug, which they then hand over without a further word.

So I could very easily have been this woman...

AND...FWIW...it's really something that the pharmacists are making the sales, then calling the police. Mexicans are known for wanting their "mordida" (little bite) but that is really carrying it too far...

As they say in Mexico... "Hijole...pendejos..."

What the sam hill does common sense have to do with deciphering the drug policies of other countries? It is not unusual, or beyond common sense that another country would honor an American prescription, or that some drugs would not be regulated there. Until recently Canada honored American prescriptions.

I agree with your point that it is a little much to assume that you can legally pick up ANYTHING in Mexico without any prescription, but one of the families in the article had an American prescription.

Besides the one good point you made, most of your post was to just point out how your own perfection makes it impossible for you to sympathize with anyone. Keep up the good work.

This article is somewhat deceiving. Many drugs that require a prescription in the U.S. are sold over the counter in Mexico. Only those drugs considered to be "controlled substances" in Mexico (narcotic-based painkillers, tranquilizers, and amphetamine-based stimulants) require a prescription written by a doctor licensed to practice in Mexico; American prescriptions are not valid in Mexico.

There have been a few very well-publicized instances of Americans being arrested for purchasing medication in Mexico. But on a typical day in Nogales, you can watch average Americans walk across the border, purchase medication from established Mexican pharmacies, declare their purchase to the border authorities and walk back to the U.S., in the space of an hour or less. Those of us who live near the border and have no health insurance or prescription drug coverage really have no other realistic options and will continue to take what amounts to a miniscule risk. Living in America without access to health care is the bigger threat.

I am Mexican (living in Mexico City) and a medical doctor, so I know what I talk about. You can get almost everything-- except for a few opiate painkillers and some psychiatric drugs without a mexican prescription.

Out of the top of my head, stuff you would need prescription for would be: any codeine-based painkiller (such as Tylex CD), Oxycontin, buprenorphine, Valium (and most sleeping pills), phenobarbital, you get the picture.

YOU DON'T NEED a prescription for antibiotics, regular painkillers, some psychiatric drugs such as Prozac and even Viagra.

The thing is, "Mexican Law" applies in Mexico. Tijuana, in many aspects is not Mexico. It is a land of endless opportunity for every corrupt mexican goverment officer and many willing and/or sleazy americans. I am certain that the writer that said thet she had been able to buy all kinds of things without problems has done so in cities far from the border. In Mexico City, or even Monterrey you can get pretty much anything you want without any prescription. Of course, if you get stopped by the police, you are going to have to explain what those are for. But that happens in America too, as I have had to produce (self made!) prescriptions when crossing the border with dozens of pills for my ailing aunt in Phoenix, AZ.

I have no doubt that the drugstore owners are in collusion with the local authorities. And I am shamed. I would not be surprised either if there were real, licensed, bonafide mexican doctors selling legit prescriptions in some of those pharmacies or in a nearby location. I bet the seller would now. Corruption is big in my country. And it shames me. Too bad it will be like that for a long time. There is just so many people that can't make an honest living and would prefer to go the easy way.

Any American that has any doubt as to wheter a particular drug needs prescription, can reach me on my URL. I would be happy to help.

I'm from Louisiana and have never even been to Mexico to buy prescription drugs - but I know people who go regularly. I THOUGHT it was common knowledge among folks who buy their prescription drugs in Mexico that it you're buying narcotics, drop in on a Mexican doctor first, show him your American script, give him/her a brief reason you need the drug in the first case, pay a small fee for your visit and then go get your pain pills.

I'm sure there's willful collusion with the pharmacies to catch people buying narcotic meds without a prescription who are dealers/addicts. I'm sorry that it caught up some innocents, but seems like a logical way to go about the whole matter.