Hello all, I need your good advice. My mom and stepdad spend appx $500/month (which they really cannot afford) on Rx drugs. I assume such drugs are cheaper in Peru, so I am wondering if it is safe and legal for me to buy their Rx drugs in Peru? Has anyone done this and how safe is it? I do NOT want to take any chances on breaking the law or buying counterfeit meds, so if it is legal, I would appreciate recommendations for good pharmacies. Thanks.

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How would you ascertain that the drugs on the shelf in the pharmacy in Lima are not counterfeit?

I wouldn't be able to ascertain that myself so I'll re-state my question. Is there a Peruvian pharmacy chain that's reputable so I'll know I'm not getting counterfeit drugs? And is it legal to bring these drugs into the US?

Thanks.

I think Jed's point is that there's no way to know at all. I'm a pharamcist by background, and so probably know a little more about this than the average person, but I wouldn't feel comfortable doing this.

Are your mom and stepdad of an age where they can apply for the Medicare Part D drug benefit?

My mom is of age, my stepdad is a few years too young.

This idea of buying Rx isn't sounding so good after all. Thanks for the input.

Even if only one of them is of age, I think it's worth looking into. These plans have helped a lot of people. It requires comparing different plans available in their area with their current meds and costs.

www.medicare.gov

Or many communities have someone at a senior-citizen center that can help guide people through the process.

Yes, I know this is not a topic for this forum. But bringing it back to travel: I think this is preferable to shopping for prescription drugs in Peru.

Thanks very much Jeff, I'll pass it along.

Is there a Costco or Walmart near your mom where she can check out the prices? She might be surprised.

I read in the LA Times a while back that someone got into deep trouble for bringing drugs (prescription style) back into the US without a prescription labeled bottle, even though it was prescribed in the US and it was prescribed to the person carrying the medicine. It sounded so strange to me at the time that the person legally had the right to take this medicine, but was fined, threatened with jail sentence, etc for not having the prescription bottle. Now, I don't remember all the details, but I do know that after reading that story, I became very cautious and carry my meds in a prescription bottle and I insist my husband do the same. I don't know if this was a particular crack down at the time, whether the reporting was correct, but it appears to me that you would be taking a risk (proably a very small one), since I am always waved through customs when returning to the States), but one I would not want to risk.

I would not recommend buying prescription drugs outside the Us not even in Canada as names and formulas vary. However, if you were to buy drugs in peru go to Fasa, a large Chiulean owned chain. There would be no danger of them selling you dodgy drugs.

A further point you would need to have a local not a US prescription to buy the drugs.

I agree. I think you should always carry prescription meds in their original vials you get from the pharmacy when you travel internationally. No daily pill boxes, no dumping everything into one vial, no unlabeled bottles.

Thanks again everyone for all of your help. I think we'll stick to using Wal Mart, buying Peruvian drugs is just not worth the risk.

I visit Lima several times a year and will buy items like Atenolol or Celebrex, anti-diarrheal medicine, etc. in small quantities without need of a prescription. The prices weren't particularly inexpensive. Most pharmacies are small corner places which I doubt have the quantities you desire. American prescription forms are not ordinarily recognized because the names of the same drugs differ from those offered in Peru. Occasionally, family in Peru (medical persons) are unable to obtain certain drugs there and request I try to obtain them in the USA. Furthermore, (as one writer implies) one cannot be entirely certain that the drugs you may purchase there are not counterfeit. I suggest you purchase your needs closer to home.