What do you do if you fall ill while cruising or if you have a pre-existing condition that requires medication? How do you get hold of the drugs you need?
It takes some planning, but don’t worry, it can be done. The key is to start early. Listen in for several strategies that work for us.
Prefer to read? Take a look at Cruising and Prescriptions
Penny Lane says
Just spent 6 mo. in Baja, north of Cabo San Lucas. There, most farmacias (pharmacies) have a newly graduated MD for meds that now require a local MD prescription, such as antibiotics. Medico farmacias (pharmacy doctors) charge ~ $3-4 US for a consult. In Tijuana 2 weeks ago, the local farmacias dispense Z-packs without a prescription, for ~ $10 US. Unfortunately, brand name B/P meds are pricey in Baja as may be other name brands from non-Mexican pharmaceutical companies, but biosimilar drugs (those bio-equivalent to brand names) are cheap, as are generics (sold at “Farmacias Similares”). Some farmacias give extra discounts on Mondays and/or with a free card they provide similar to those we have in the US for supermarkets or CVS. The glaucoma drops, Timilol cost only ~ $1.30 bottle! Also, Farmacias Espesialidades often carry hard to find meds. Overall, medications are much cheaper than in the US or Canada. 🙂