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$200 went today, chapala, excellent dr.  Gringo landia is always more expensive.  Went to Chopo lab recommended by gringo serving dr.,,,,3 times the cost of my lab in Chapala......Also, you can go to Similares pharmacy in chapala and go to their dr, just to the left of the pharmacy, I think 50 pesos, but not totally sure.  Just know its very very low.

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1 hour ago, bmh said:

Similar does not mean same drug either.. I can see getting generic but similar means a whole lot of other things. 

Similares Pharmacy sells Generic drugs...in other words drugs that are not exclusive to a Big Pharma company since the patent has expired. Sn. Google: A generic drug is a pharmaceutical drug that contains the same chemical substance as a drug that was originally protected by chemical patents. Generic drugs are allowed for sale after the patents on the original drugs expire.

Thankfully I only take small doses of a blood pressure and a cholesterol medication but I go to Similares at the top of Colon in Ajijic on Mondays to stock up since they offer a 20% discount.  

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2 hours ago, bmh said:

Similar does not mean same drug either.. I can see getting generic but similar means a whole lot of other things. 

Yes, my neurologist told me when he wrote me some prescriptions, that it's fine to buy generics, but not to buy the Similares products.

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18 hours ago, Shag said:

$200 went today, chapala, excellent dr.  Gringo landia is always more expensive.  Went to Chopo lab recommended by gringo serving dr.,,,,3 times the cost of my lab in Chapala......Also, you can go to Similares pharmacy in chapala and go to their dr, just to the left of the pharmacy, I think 50 pesos, but not totally sure.  Just know its very very lo

In defense of Chopo, their blood tests are usually much more in-depth than the local labs. Of course, it also depends on what you actually need, so a local lab can make sense and Shag is absolutely right that we're going to pay a premium in certain locations. Since hubster requires follow-up testing, etc, his specialist recommended a change of lab as a sort of "second opinion." We went to Chopo near Pancho's since it was convenient. Wow! We were very impressed at just how in-depth the blood work was. If you order your tests online, you also get a discount. The folks we've seen at Chopo have all been very professional and helpful. Better still, they're surprisingly fast AND gentle. I was wrapping my feet around the chair for the blood work (color me yellow) when I was told it was over. They're not the cheapest, but they're worth every peso. YMMV

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13 hours ago, mudgirl said:

Yes, my neurologist told me when he wrote me some prescriptions, that it's fine to buy generics, but not to buy the Similares products.

Similares Pharmacy is the  NAME of the chain (a play on words). If you have a prescription and the patent on the drug has expired you can buy a generic (the exact same drug) at Similares Pharmacy of any other pharmacy (if they carry it). You are very confused!!!  

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My wife bought at Similares after a dentist visit. When she couldn’t get the relief she expected she returned to the dentist.  Dentist took a look at the vial and told her the dosage was not what he had ordered.  He suggested she never buy at Similares again.

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3 minutes ago, Mainecoons said:

Generics are not always equivalents.  Always do homework on any generic before using.  There's also more than a minor problem with counterfeit drugs in Mexico.  If it is really cheap, one should be really suspicious.

From my understanding if the patent of an approved drug has expired, other licensed drug manufacturers are allowed to replicate and market it. Of course you always have to do your own checking but I would think if it is purchased at a recognized, licensed pharmacy and you check the label you should be OK. As far as counterfeits, I would think that a major pharmaceutical  chain store selling recognized brand generics would be your best bet. 

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18 minutes ago, Jreboll said:

My wife bought at Similares after a dentist visit. When she couldn’t get the relief she expected she returned to the dentist.  Dentist took a look at the vial and told her the dosage was not what he had ordered.  He suggested she never buy at Similares again.

What I quickly discovered in México many years ago is that there are no pharmacists working behind the desks at most farmacias. They are simply low wage clerks with scant or no medical knowledge. This includes Walmart, Pharmacia Guadalajara and Similares. It is imperative to closely check the labels for  dosage as well as the actual drug  name. I am not a stockholder or have no reason to defend Similares except that I have checked and they have over 200 locations throughout México and I get the best prices for generics as well as such health products as retinol and iron capsules.  

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1 hour ago, gringohombre said:

Similares Pharmacy is the  NAME of the chain (a play on words). If you have a prescription and the patent on the drug has expired you can buy a generic (the exact same drug) at Similares Pharmacy of any other pharmacy (if they carry it). You are very confused!!!  

No, I am not in the slightest bit confused. The doctor specifically told me not to buy generics from Farmacias Similares, because their generics are inferior and not to be trusted. 

You seem to thiink all generics are the same- they are not. They aren't simply the same as the orignal drug just because the patent ran out.

Perhaps you'd like the contact info for my neurologist so you can tell him that he is confused and wrong. 

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Your neurologist is confused or wrong.  A law passed in Mexico several years ago disallowed ANY generic to be different than the original brand name drug.  Don't expect drs to know everything.  I used to work at the U of Oregon Medical School and drs were forever telling patients what was covered by their insurance or Medicare when the doctor either had outdated info or was just plain wrong.

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13 minutes ago, mudgirl said:

No, I am not in the slightest bit confused. The doctor specifically told me not to buy generics from Farmacias Similares, because their generics are inferior and not to be trusted. 

You seem to thiink all generics are the same- they are not. They aren't simply the same as the orignal drug just because the patent ran out.

All farmacias are licensed and CHECKED for standards set for ALL drugs including generics. You and your doctor can have your opinions but not your own FACTS!!! Do you think that a medical chain with over 200 locations would jeopardize their exitance in this manner???  

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yo1 whatever is allowed in the US has nothing to do with what is allowed in Mexico, each country has its own rule , and you just cannot generalized. Just because Mexico passed a law, does not mean they arew following it either.. We all know that money talks so who knows.. 

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2 minutes ago, bmh said:

yo1 whatever is allowed in the US has nothing to do with what is allowed in Mexico, each country has its own rule , and you just cannot generalized. Just because Mexico passed a law, does not mean they arew following it either.. We all know that money talks so who knows.. 

Where did she say anything regarding US law??? We live here and good or not so good we have to live under Mexican law. she said "A law passed in Mexico several years ago disallowed ANY generic to be different than the original brand name drug." Why are you trying to confuse the issue???

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