This is completely contrary to the principle of equal treatment for all citizens. The normal procedure for access to prescription drugs in the United States includes a visit to a physician followed by a prescription order filled by a pharmacist. Hispanics in their native lands often have no physicians available, so they self-diagnose their conditions and obtain pharmaceuticals at food stores known as Tiendas. Along with tacos and pi atas, they brought this self treatment custom with them from their homeland. Physicians in this state complain that Spanish-speaking patients arrive at emergency rooms with unprescribed antibiotics, steroids and even controlled substances.
Every hospital is obliged to treat patients who arrive under emergency conditions.
Charges not covered by health plans are absorbed and contribute to increased costs in health care. This Latino population is a new and growing burden on hospitals, with much of it caused by their unorthodox and unsupervised use of pharmaceuticals. One fundamental fact of drug use is that there is an immense difference between oral and injectable products. A patient who is in distress from an adverse reaction to an oral product can have their intestinal tract evacuated on both ends if necessary. This is uncomfortable but effective in removing the offending product from the body.