Nogales is a port of entry on the Mexican border, it adjoins Heroica Nogales in Sonora, Mexico. Divided by International Avenue, the two communities are together known as Ambos Nogales.
It has approximately 225,000 residents, many of whom came from other parts of Mexico to work in one of the many cross-border manufacturing operations known as maquiladoras. Nogales is known for its difficult traffic conditions, so visitors would be well advised to park in one of the many parking lots near the border.
Thousands of Americans cross the border every year in order to save a great deal of money buying prescription drugs. This is a major industry, and sales to foreigners account for a significant part of the more than 11 billion U.S. dollar’s worth of pharmaceutical products sold last year.
The U.S. government estimates that close to 1 million people in California alone cross to Mexico annually for health care, including to buy prescription drugs. And between 150,000 and 320,000 Americans list health care as a reason for traveling abroad each year. Cost savings is the most commonly cited reason. U.S. law requires medicine brought into the country to be accompanied by a doctor’s prescription, no matter where it is bought.
Mexican Pharmacies
There are two ‘classes’ of farmacias (pharmacies). The most common is sequnda clase (second class), which is allowed to sell all but regulated medicines. Pharmacies that sell controlled or regulated drugs are referred to as primera clase. Controlled medicines are those that are deemed as having a high potential for abuse, such as Xanax, Valium, and anabolic steroids. If the word ‘controlado” is used, it means that the drug is controlled and you cannot buy it over the counter without a prescription from a recognized and registered Mexican doctor.
How to Safely Buy Medications in Mexico
According to the singlecare guide for buying prescription drugs in Mexico, you should:
Find a pharmacy you trust: If you’re considering buying Medications over the border, make sure to buy them from licensed, established pharmacies—not random individuals who may try to sell you medicine outside of those places.
Don’t buy medicine without your doctor’s approval: Always—it’s worth repeating: ALWAYS—listen to your doctor’s recommendations for prescription medication. Even though other medications may be available for sale without a prescription, they could harm your health.
Be careful about what you bring back: U.S. Customs and Border Protection has strict rules about bringing medicine across the border. Generally, three-month supplies of some prescriptions accompanied by a note from your doctor are acceptable.
If you’re not planning a trip abroad, can you order medications from Mexico?
It’s a common question—and can seem much easier than traveling across the border. With medications seemingly just a click away, it can be tempting to just hit order, then wait and see. But, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recommends against buying prescriptions from other countries because the regulation of drug manufacturing may be more lax, or the pharmacy may be a fake. And, if you order without a prescription, your medications package could be seized.
If you do decide to order medications from a Mexican pharmacy online, make sure to follow the FDA recommendations. Check into licensure, and look for the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy’s (NABP) Verified Internet Pharmacy Practice Sites™ Seal, also known as the VIPPS® Seal.
Top Pharmacies in Nogales, Sonora, Mexico
Here is the list of top pharmacies in Nogales, Sonora, Mexico:
1. Farmacia La Plaza
2. Farmacia Nogales
3. Farmacias Benavides Moderna
4. Farmacia Obregon
5. Farmacia San Francisco
6. Farmacia de Similares
7. Farmacia del Norte
8. Walgreens
9. Farmacia Guadalupana
10. Walmart Supercenter.
