In trouble here (health), have fam in Mexico, can I see a dr and bring back my meds?

[Engage]

I have extended family in Mexico.
My wife won't "allow me" to step over the border, even by cab, to scurry like a roach into and out of he doc and pharmcy.
I want to see a doctor there.

We simply do not have the $ to go and see a doc here.
Had two mole cut off recently = $800. Eight hundred dollars.
For an tiny injection of mild anesthesia and a swift cut of the blade.
One mole is still there. $800.

My family is broken.

SO:
Is it legal TO BRING BACK MEDS FOR PERSONAL USE?

Lastly, can I just have a phone consultation, international (with my spouse as interpreter)?

GOD, this sounds desperate, and that's exactly how I feel.
Thanks again Bluelight Crew, you have saved my ass on many occasions.
Peace.


Thank you.


Again.



EDIT:
Phone consultation with the doctor in Mexico?
And me here, (Texas) ...basically bedridden. Is that legal?

Is it in a shady area??? What??


Thanks.
Sorry, feeling ill.

Please help.

 

[Leaping Gnome]

I'd say to be safe check with US Customs. I know my Mother and her niece went to Canada and were allowed to bring back OTC Codeine with APAP in it. It was the weak 1's or 2's, whatever they sell OTC of it. That was also back in the middle 90's, so I'd say things probably have changed.

Again, check with US Customs…it would be no fun to end up in jail!

Leaping Gnome

 

[Swimmingdancer]

We don't normally do legal questions, as we are an international forum (laws vary from place to place) and we are not lawyers or Customs officials (often people will just guess at the answer).

But I do know the answer to this question (however do not take it as legal advice and check with US Customs to be sure). It is legal to see a doctor in another country, to talk to a doctor from another country on the phone, or to be prescribed meds in another country. The problems come from bringing the drugs back across the border, getting someone else to pick up your prescription, or getting a doctor to prescribe to you having only spoken to you over the phone. It is not legal to have someone else pick up your Rx drugs for you in Mexico and bring them back to the US - your wife would have to "allow you" to go to Mexico (unless you just want a Dr's advice over the phone and no Rx's or physical exam/treatment). It is legal to bring back most Rx drugs for personal use but they can only be drugs that are legal/approved by the FDA in the US and you may only bring back up to 50 total doses of controlled substances (the DEA says that means 50 units combined, so if you have multiple drugs you can only have a total of 50, not 50 of each drug).

From U.S. Customs:

U.S. residents entering the U.S. at international land borders who are carrying a validly obtained controlled substance (other than illegal narcotics), are subject to certain requirements. If a U.S. resident wants to bring in a controlled substance (other than illegal narcotics) but does not have a prescription for the substance issued by a U.S.-licensed practitioner (e.g., physician, dentist, etc.) who is registered with, and authorized by, the Drug Enforcement Administration to prescribe the medication, [*meaning it was prescribed by a Mexican Dr not a US Dr] the individual may not import more than 50 dosage units of the medication into the United States.

Please note that only medications that can be legally prescribed in the United States may be imported for personal use. Be aware that possession of certain substances may also violate state laws.

You must also:
- Declare all drugs, medicinals, and similar products to the appropriate CBP official;
- Carry such substances in their original containers;
- Carry only the quantity of such substances that a person with your condition would normally carry for his/her personal use; [*this usually is interpreted as 1 month's supply or less];
- Carry a prescription or written statement from your physician

I'm not sure what the restrictions are on drugs that normally require a Rx in the US but do not in Mexico. Certain drugs considered to have "high abuse potential" are not allowed to be brought back without a Rx, even if they are available without one in Mexico. Please check with US Customs.

Other things to note: you need a legit Rx from a Mexican doctor to buy Rx meds in Mexico, and you need a legit Rx from a US Dr to buy Rx meds in the US - you can't have a Mexican Rx filled in the US or vice versa. I have no idea whether it's legal in Mexico for a Dr to prescribe to you without having seen you in person, but even if it is you would still have to go to Mexico to get that Rx filled. Drugs that are controlled in Mexico cannot legally be bought OTC without an Rx or be brought back to the US, so do not do this even if the pharmacy seems willing to sell them to you.

I'm going to close this since we aren't really supposed to allow legal questions. Please PM me if you have any questions.