A So-called Third World Country Beats the U.S.
December 8, 2004
10:36 a.m., MT
I mentioned yesterday that there's more to the story than I was able to include in my recent essay The FDA is Going to Kill Me. Here's some of it.


I do have some medical background; I was married to a physician for over ten years, which spanned 2.5 years of medical school, internship, residency, fellowship (which is subspecialty training), and the beginning of his career. I saw -- and heard -- a lot over that time. While he was in medical school, I worked in a hospital pharmacy, and thus have a fair amount of hands-on experience in that specific area. But neither of those things necessarily gives me an advantage over anyone else willing to invest in some research. For example, Drugs.com is a pretty good resource that allows one to search by either brand name or generic name. SafeMedication.com is better, but from my browsing seems to push the gatekeeper idea more than I like.

A few years back, our family traveled throughout Mexico, enjoying a wide variety of places that rarely make it onto tourists' lists. While there, I had repeated breathing problems (molds and pollens are among my worst allergy triggers, and they're both abundant in non-desert Mexico). I was able to find most of the prescription medications I'd been taking in the U.S., and the prices were fairly competitive. The best part, however, was that I was able to buy anything I wanted without a permission slip. That made the cost of meds cheaper, as I didn't have to pay for a doctor's visit to get them.

Each pharmacy I visited was clean, well-lit, and had at least one reference book of pharmaceutical information out on the counter, for anyone to use. The pharmacists were typically engaged in helping customers, instead of relegating that task to "technicians" or salesclerks; and they were genuinely helpful, answering questions and frequently offering information on locally-available herbal remedies.

Thus, when I had more severe problems, which would have required a doctor's visit in the U.S., I was able to get the medications I needed much more quickly, and cheaply. The first time my usual treatment didn't work, we did some research and settled on a steroid injection. Lobo bought it without any hassle (I don't speak much Spanish), and brought it home for us to handle ourselves. And we did, without any problems (well, except for Lobo's discomfort at having to poke me with a long needle).

The second time I had a more severe problem, I was newly-pregnant, and justifiably concerned about my choices. After briefly speaking with one of Lobo's uncles, who's a physician, he handed over a box with the same steroid injection without any questions as to our abilities to use it appropriately.

These experiences were revelatory for us; we knew that the FDA's power is overweening, but until one gets out from under it and experiences greater liberty -- and its concomitant responsibility -- it's hard to grok just how controlling the FDA and resulting health-care system is in this country. To be fair, though, the Mexican culture is quite different from the U.S. At the time of our visit, the idea of popping a pill for every little atypical twitch or potential problem with one's body was unheard of. Naturalistic remedies were much more common, as is the very sound practice of allowing time and rest to heal a body. It was very difficult for me to return to the U.S., knowing that I would again be subjected to the paternalistic, power-sapping medical practices many Americans view as normal and civilized. I'll take the real civilization of Mexican health care any day. If only they were more sensible on RKBA ...

Sunni

Replies: 2 individuals have opined

On Friday, December 10th, Sunni said:

"Guns are available here and in certain calibers they're legal."

Yes ... I remember getting handed an ancient 12-gauge shotgun at a ranch, and wowing the Mexican gents because I could handle it smoothly. But, at least last I knew, trying to bring anything in from the U.S. was a recipe for mondo trouble.

"Mexicans aren't much into written 'rights'. They just do it when they've a mind to and they have a much lower opinion of their gummint than Amurikans, by orders of magnitude."

Yep! Two of the best things about the people there. A third is cochinita pibil. Yum!!!

On Friday, December 10th, jomama said:

Guns are available here and in certain calibers they're legal. (The calibers not used by the military) And shooting someone breaking and entering is lawful.

Mexicans aren't much into written 'rights'. They just do it when they've a mind to and they have a much lower opinion of their gummint than Amurikans, by orders of magnitude.

I know. I married a mexicana and live there. No one in her family of 8 adults has ever paid income taxes.

You're right about the medical part and medicines are generally much cheaper here mostly coz of the lack of the necessity of getting a scrip.

Check my blog and look for the Imusil post. Have been unable to locate the injection yet but am thinking of starting a clinic here using it.

I'm quite knowledgable on the topic of colloidal silver and see Imusil as the turbo-charged version.

Am gonna link your blog on mine.

cheers...

jo