Every day, thousands of U.S. citizens leave the country to buy drugs. Most go to Canada and Mexico, but some travel to Europe or buy drugs over the Internet from pharmacies in other lightly regulated countries. But they highlight rising pharmaceutical costs and raise questions about how prescriptions drugs fit into a world of free trade. So Carlson headed to the border, parked her car in the United States and walked to the first pharmacy she found in Nogales, Mexico. Other than the prices, it was very much like being in the United States.
Tourists pour from the red and green bus to buy sombreros, velvet Elvises and cheap medicine.
They usually come looking for antibiotics and antihistamines because they are much cheaper. A grand example of prescription tourism is planned by Patricia Baird-Windle, a Florida retiree. She plans to fly to France to help her sister get Rilutek to treat amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, commonly known as Lou Gehrig's disease. Controls are popular Price controls are the most important factor explaining the price gap between the USA and other countries. The pharmaceutical industry has been fighting price controls elsewhere.