Giuliano Posted September 8, 2019 Report Share Posted September 8, 2019 I would like to purchase Metformin in Mexico. Can I buy it without a doctor’s prescription? Is there a reliable generic version? Or what is the best generic version to purchase? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AngusMactavish Posted September 8, 2019 Report Share Posted September 8, 2019 Walk into any pharmacy and buy name brand or generic over the counter. Your body, your mistake to be your own doctor. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zerbit Posted September 8, 2019 Report Share Posted September 8, 2019 Metformin over counter. Dosages are different, can’t always get 500mg or 1000mg. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
happyjillin Posted September 9, 2019 Report Share Posted September 9, 2019 I get Metformina at any pharmacy no RX required. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Travelero Posted October 26, 2019 Report Share Posted October 26, 2019 The rules concerning what legally requires a prescription, and what type of prescription (regular or barcoded) come from statutory law and also regulation. The Secretaria de Salud administers the laws passed by Congress, here the Ley General de Salud. Article 226 classifies medications into six fractional divisions: I through VI, each with its own legal requirements. http://www.diputados.gob.mx/LeyesBiblio/pdf_mov/Ley_General_de_Salud.pdf Metformina is fraccion IV, and glancing at the list, I would only trust Dabex or Janumet brand. Fraccion I drugs you simply are not going to get at a pharmacy, no matter how much money you have. Fraccion II drugs are very unlikely to be sold without the corresponding bar coded prescription that can be recorded in the control books, which must be available at all times for the Cofepris enforcers to inspect. Fraccion III drugs are also highly controlled (ritalin for example) and require a control book entry, but depending on the pharmacy, cash will get you these without a prescription. Fraction IV require a normal written prescription but there are reasons we dont care and won't ask for these. Not interesting enough to explain, just know you can buy these no problem. And Fraccion V and VI medications of course are OTC. As in the United States, the law spells out some but not all details required to support a full regulatory scheme, so regulators exist and they fill in the gaps. Here, that regulator is Cofepris. The Secretaria de Salud retains authority to determine which items are Fraccion I and which are estupefacientes, but Cofepris generally classifies most of the remainder like Fraccion V and Fraccion IV medications. They publish a list that includes a classification of all drugs, and it's a great reference: https://www.gob.mx/cofepris/documentos/listado-actualizado-de-medicamentos-de-referencia-2017-10 I hope these materials will be helpful to other members. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ferret Posted October 26, 2019 Report Share Posted October 26, 2019 The easy way to say it is that you need a prescription for narcotics or antibiotics. Everything else is available over the counter. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlanMexicali Posted October 26, 2019 Report Share Posted October 26, 2019 29 minutes ago, Ferret said: The easy way to say it is that you need a prescription for narcotics or antibiotics. Everything else is available over the counter. Not true. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ferret Posted October 26, 2019 Report Share Posted October 26, 2019 41 minutes ago, AlanMexicali said: Not true. Okay then. Where's the link that states otherwise? Granted some things are just not available in Mexico but my statement has been my experience. The heavy duty narcotics are supposed to be prescribed in triplicate with bar codes by specialized pain Doctors who are usually Anesthesiologists. You also used to be able to get antibiotics over the counter as well. There is still a way around that by using an "in house" Doctor affiliated with the Pharmacy... which is still bad and ends up with wide spectrum drugs being prescribed. Kinda like using a gatling gun when you really need a sniper. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael Ray Posted October 26, 2019 Report Share Posted October 26, 2019 Personally, we have had great experiences with the "In House" doctors. In fact, that is one of the things that attracts us to Mexico, however, we have access to second medical opinions in our family. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yo1 Posted October 27, 2019 Report Share Posted October 27, 2019 Metformina is very cheap here and since it is the mainstay of non-insulin diabetes drugs, it's widely available without a script. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KirkLenin Posted October 31, 2019 Report Share Posted October 31, 2019 I have bought it for my wife at practically any pharmacy, cheap, and without a prescription. They have generic brands at Farmacias del Ahorro, and other pharmacies that are cheaper than the patent ones. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tomgates Posted November 3, 2019 Report Share Posted November 3, 2019 Express II, just west of the parking lot of the old Avocado Club, had the 500mg, 90ct, for about $140p. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yo1 Posted November 11, 2019 Report Share Posted November 11, 2019 I have gotten it at the MaskarasFarmacia, next to the old clinic, 500mg, 100 ct for 100 pesos 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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