From: "Yo Quiero Farmacia!" <[d--ug--z] at [ix.netcom.com]>
Newsgroups: rec.drugs.misc
Subject: Tijuana, The real story
Date: Fri, 22 May 1998 15:31:31 -0700

There has been a bunch of stuff posted on this newsgroup (and others) about
getting medications in Mexico.

A bunch of it is crap, some of it is good.

Well, I did it yesterday and here's how it went:

Got to Sandiego, drove down I-5 to the last USA exit (Clearly marked),
parked for $5. Walked just over the border crossing and weaved thorugh a
dozen guys trying to give me rides into downtown Tijuana. You don't need to
go downtown unless you really want to shop or you are a perv!

There is a plaza area just over the border that does not require a cab ride.

Once you enter the plaza you will see the usual assortment of Mexican
crap... T-shirts, plaster statues, poncho's, and general tourist junk.
 You will also notice that there are about 27 Pharmacies!!

The first one I walked into told me "we don't have no stinking valiums". At
that point I thought I was screwed.

Then I noticed a little sign (Just as you enter the plaza area, off to your
left there is a little alley type thing) that said "Doctor on Duty". (I have
his card -- post to NG I will give you details). I went in and was greeted
by a lady who had me fill out what looked like a 30th generation photocopy
with really detailed important questions like: Name, Address, number of arms
and legs, etc.

5 minutes later I was with the doctor and he asked me what he could do for
me (he spoke very good english, wore dirty rubber gloves, and fortunately
never asked me to turn around!). I asked for some medication for my back
pain and anxiety disorder ;) he filled out 2 scrips, one for Xanax (Called
Tafil -- alprazolam) and for tylex (Mexican equivilent of T-3's) the other
scrip for Valium (2 botlles of 10mg 90 tabs each). The scrips cost me $60
($30 x 2) and he was unwilling to do all on one scrip.

He sent me to a pharmacy about 100 yards away where I got everything for
about 120$ US (90 alprazolams, 180 valiums, and 80 Tylex and some NSAIDS --
feldene). I did this in 2 trips, see below.
Total Bill with parking and 2 stupid t-shirts about $200.

Now, as far as customs goes. I filled the prescriptions one at a time and
went back over the border twice because of all the posts on this and other
NG's about people stuck in Mexican prisons.

Here's what happened both times: I get to the US customs line and finally
get up to the agent.... I proudly declared "I bought some medicine and I
want to declare it". In both instances they waved me through without even
asking what I had or how much!

This is not to say that they couldn't, and so I would probably do it all
over again the same way, but it wasn't as bad as I was led to believe.
Cutoms has a web page which shows the rules on what you can do. I highly
suggest you read it: http://www.customs.treas.gov/travel/meds.htm

I would definately suggest 2 things: 1-Get a prescription for any of the
"good-Stuff" or you may end up a pillow-biter in a mexican prison. 2-
Declare the stuff at US customs (have a photocopy of the scrips with you
atall times.) DON'T MESS WITH CUSTOMS!

I didn't see anything stronger than Darvon (They call it NeoPercodan) or
T-3's. As far as Benzo's, they have them all. I didn't even asl about
Rohypnol because it's not legal in the states and not worth the risk.
You get caught with it, you'll be the "Date" in "Date-Rape".

If you have needs for other meds, (Like antibiotics, etc) the prices are
very good (Prilosec was 1/3 of what it cost here in the states) and they all
appear to be brand name drugs.

Please, follow the law even if the Customs people don't happen to hassle
you. The first time you try and sneak it through,......... you're in deep
doo doo!

Me