Inexpensive drugs.
One thing I forgot to mention in my recent trip report. Before I left for my trip to BA, I took the labels off several prescriptions I must use.
Usually, to get a refill here in the states, I must go to the doctor, which costs a lot, just to get my always-the-same prescription, which costs a LOT more.
I just walked into a large pharmacy, handed over my labels, and walked out with several months supply, at a full 1/3 less than the cost here, no prescription form needed. No questions asked. The huge savings almost paid for my accomodations in BA.
I put the entire purchase on my credit card.
Argentina is not unique in the ease with which one can obtain necessary medications; perhaps the cost and red tape in the US is closer to unique. Leaving that aside, visitors to Argentina should take a leaf from tsmart22's book and stock up on their prescription medications. When tsmart says "1/3 less than the cost here," I assume he means 1/3 less than the amount of the insurance co-pay in the US. That's what I've found — 1/3 to 1/2 less than just the co-pay in the US.
Thanks for this tip.
Just wondering-were you able to buy brand name prescription meds – same brand as you would have purchased in USA?
The brand names are the same, but usually the packaging may change (at least in the case of oral contraceptives).
Name brand drugs being imported to Argentina are generally expensive. Not as expensive as in the US but far more expensive than generics. It should also be noted that controlled substances are not available over the counter in Argentina without a prescription . You need a doctor written script. I think they call it a pink sheet since it is written on pink paper. This includes pain killers, anti-anxiety meds and sleeping pills. I have been told that they do have ample supplies of generic Viagra at bargain prices.
I was able to get generics for two medications I use at home and sometimes run out of before insurance kicks in for the next refill. Now I have a backup supply on hand. I also picked up some generic antibiotics to have on hand.
Importing prescription drugs into the US is technically controlled.
Dont tell them that in San Diego. If you have ever been to Tijuana, MX you can't help but notice that every other business is a pharmacy. What I do is take near empty vials of my medicine from home and I fill them with the medicine I buy in Argentina. Just in case. The medicine matches the prescription and it has my name on it and is a legitimate prescription.
Just as Veritas mentions, you could also get medicines at a much lower price from Mexico or Canada.
Many US States have tried to make this easy and legal for their citizens, only to run against the everpresent Pharmaceutical Industry lobby in Washington, which invariably uses the scare tactics that "you don't know what you may get", and labels such as "socialized medicine", etc.
What can I say, somebody is getting rich with our for-profit health care system, and that somebody is not me for sure.
My sister, who was with us on this trip, is a registered nurse. The drugs I purchased were indeed packaged differently, but they were manufactured by Squibb; my sister assured me that these were exactly the same pills.
Interesting note to folks in other countries. I am 57 years old. Never been in the hospital, ever. My health insurance costs more than my house mortgage and my car payments combined. And that is with a HUGE deductable. I completely understand why so many people in my country can not afford health insurance. And everyone knows that the high rates I must pay, in fact, covers all the people who cannot pay at all. That's just the way it is here. Sorry for the rant.
I can also understand that if I were in ill health and needed medications, I would indeed be a Buenos Aires regular. What's not to like?? I bet that drives some proprotion of US tourism there.
tsmart22, you are correct. There is a large segment of "medical tourism" in BA, that is, people coming from the USA — and other countries — to undergo serious operations or have extensive dental work done.
Serious surgery, especially the "plastic" variety 🙂
Breast enhancements and face lifts seem to top the list.
And dental implants. They can run from 2000-3500 a tooth in the US and 1/3 that cost in Argentina. Several large companies (Plenitas is one) run websites and arrange for travel and accomdations while you are in Argentina for the procedures.
However, the real bargains are for those who can get themselves to Argentina, get themselves settled in and be treated by a reputable doctor who does not do all that web advertising and does not have that associated overhead.
Can You Buy Viagra Over The Counter In Argentina
