The U.S. Division of State issued a warning after reporting confirmed that counterfeit prescription drugs containing illicit medication had been being bought in pharmacies in Mexico.
The counterfeit drugs had been tainted with substances together with fentanyl and methamphetamine, the division stated. The small print of the counterfeit drugs had been first reported by the Los Angeles Instances. The division stated that the Drug Enforcement Administration had additionally reported counterfeit prescriptions bought on each side of the border, represented as OxyContin, Percocet, Xanax and others.
The division stated in its advisory that individuals ought to “train warning when buying drugs,” noting that prescription drugs, even those who would possibly require a prescription in america, “are sometimes available for buy with little regulation.”
Along with the chance of contamination, officers stated counterfeit remedy might “show to be ineffective” or be the mistaken power.
“Treatment must be bought in session with a medical skilled and from respected institutions,” the division stated, noting that counterfeit drugs are “readily marketed on social media and will be bought at small, non-chain pharmacies in Mexico alongside the border and in vacationer areas.”
The kidnapping of 4 Individuals earlier this month in a Mexican border city has additionally put a highlight on “medical tourism,” or when folks journey to a different nation to obtain extra inexpensive medical care or prescriptions. Whereas the Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention don’t monitor crime associated to medical tourism, they do deem the apply “dangerous.”
A 2015 examine from the U.S. Worldwide Commerce Fee (USITC) discovered that about one million folks from California traveled to Mexico to purchase drugs at decrease costs.
Thanks for studying CBS NEWS.
Create your free account or log in
for extra options.
