Prescription Drug In Belize?

[cheeseheads1]

No Problem. I find ways for my patients to get their RX meds all the time. There are also a lot of internet options through companies too. Check out Needymeds.com for more info. There are others. I just figured that for 30 days 4 dollars is not to bad by comparison of many others.

[AtoZgirl]

anyone know if they sell any types of birth control?

[AtoZgirl]

anyone know if they sell any types of birth control?

[In2why]

anyone know if they sell any types of birth control?

 

 

I am sorry but this made me laugh. There are a lot of prescriptions I might get from Belize.....but Birth Control. Nope. If there are any pills that I want to make sure are 100% right with zero doubts on expiration, strength, etc. Birth Control would be at the top of my list. If Retin-A doesn't work you get a pimple or a wrinkle.....if the magic pills don't work you don't get as "high"....but if the Birth Contol pills don't work you get a baby. :eek:

[whartman]

we will be in Belize the first week in July...and we were interested in purchasing some of the prescription drugs...Does anyone know if there is a problem in customs? I see that everyone says it shouldnt be a problem loading onto the ship..

[lindslea]

I purchased generic Ambien last time I was in Belize, as well as some acne medication that worked very well on my son. My mother purchased atenolol. We had no problems bringing them back to the U.S.

 

Here is something interesting, though. We cruised to Mexico in April and I purchased Retin-A and Bactiban. Both RX's in the US. When I went through customs at the Port of Galveston, the officer specifically asked me if I had purchased any medications from other countries. He was not talking about illegal drugs (which is probably what my barely teenagers thought during the questioning!) I told him about the Retin A and Bactriban. He asked me if I was sure I had not purchased anything else and I said yes. That was the end of the questioning. I did not have the nerve to ask him what would have happened if I had purchased anything else. He was nice about it but a little pushy. My guess is that anything considered a controlled substance in the US might have gotten me in trouble. But what about things like BP meds and antibiotics that are sold all over the place in Mexico? I think what is controlled in Mexico is also controlled here. But that is not the case with Central America.

 

I am curious to know if anyone has had a similar experience recently with customs or if anyone is familiar with the rules/law on bringing back medications. Apparently customs is cracking down on bringing back some meds but I'm not sure exactly what.

[cuyahoga11]

I am sorry but this made me laugh. There are a lot of prescriptions I might get from Belize.....but Birth Control. Nope. If there are any pills that I want to make sure are 100% right with zero doubts on expiration, strength, etc. Birth Control would be at the top of my list. If Retin-A doesn't work you get a pimple or a wrinkle.....if the magic pills don't work you don't get as "high"....but if the Birth Contol pills don't work you get a baby. :eek:

 

I just choked on my coffee. You are so right there.

[Brenda Bell]

So you have to have a empty rx. bottles to refill on your meds in order to get back on the ship if its a contolled substance? What if its not a controlled substance like nexium is it safe?

[Winkskitty]

I was in Belize earlier in the month. Had no problem getting them off the boat. I heard somewhere that aarp lobbied the government to be nice to senior bringing back reasonable amounts of prescription drugs for personal use. I got off the boat with the pills in my fanny pack. Most pills were either in small ziplock bags or packaged in the sample type package the DR gives you. I brought old prescription bottles to store the pills in ,looked less shady. generic cealis for 4$ a pill where you gonna find a deal like that. My humble opion is if there would be a problem bring things back to usa I am sure that during the island shop talk carnival would have said something. (Folks in jail aren't likely to cruise again till at least there time has been served:)) The only drug warning I have ever heard from carnival was if you buy illegal drug dog sniffing kind on an island you should use'em or lose'em before getting off the boat. As for the issue in regards to expiration dates I figure with all the ships that stop in that port would a store sell outdated stuff and risk there Business with thousands of potential shoppers from each ship that stops there? As for myself I will be stopping there again next time I get back there. There were actually 3 pharmacy's there prices seemed comparable. MY only regret was Chantex was not available:(

[cruzorbust]

Just returned from Carnival Legend and daughter's friend bought some Xanax and Viocodin at the pharmacy at the dock. No problems with doing this but upon re-entering the ship the friend was asked to empty pockets. We are not sure why they asked this because the security alarm did not go off - but he thinks it was because they saw him pull out his sign and sail card from his cargo shorts (with the big pockets). He handed security the brown paper bag with the pills in it - he didn't think there was any problem with having them since they sell it right at the dock - I think it was the second store in the shopping area when you get off the ship - so not like it is hidden location or anything. So, security started questioning them and made them go to his cabin where they searched their belongings and questioned them about what they bought at each of the ports. They found another prescription that the friend takes - a real prescription that he brought from home - and made him go to the infirmary to meet with the doctor to determine if the pills in the bottle actually were what they were supposed to be. In the end, they confiscated the Viocodin but let him keep the Xanax. Don't know why they didn't take both? We thought all was over but when we arrived back in Tampa, upon exiting the ship and putting the sign and sail card into the machine - an alarm sounded and security came over and escorted him off the ship and took him to a customs officer. The officer asked us what we needed and we said nothing - so he let us go get our luggage. Again, thought it was over, but when going through customs, they collected all of our passports and made us go behind a big screen - while the customs agents put on blue rubber gloves. I was getting pretty worried now! Then, we placed all of our luggage on a table and the agents asked the friend if he wanted to tell all of us why we were there? Of course, we all knew. The friend explained what had happened and said he didn't know and that he had turned over the drugs to the security people on the ship. The customs agents let us go - and we were relieved. We still wonder why the agent was actually looking for the friend - since they stopped us while showing passports - so his name must have been on a list. After all of this, I will say that if he had not gotten stuff out of his pocket - security might not have asked him to empty his pockets and none of this would have happened. I went into the pharmacy but did not buy anything - and no one stopped me or asked me to empty my bag or my pockets. So, just be aware that this could happen.

[lindslea]

Wow! We were questioned by customs but that's all. It's really vague to me what the laws are. I think most people are probably purchasing a limited amount of medication for personal use. I felt like I was being treated like a criminal when we were questioned. I guess the people doing the questioning have good medical insurance and don't have to worry about what prescriptions cost in the US.

[kgerkin]

Does someone know what exactly the law is? My husband takes several medications and we have prescriptions for all of them. Definitely dont want to break the law but I have several co-workers that have bought their medications in Belize. If we have copies of valid prescriptions with refills will we be breaking any laws?

[cruzorbust]

I don't know what the exact law is - but I do know that the security guards wanted to know if he had a valid prescription. I have a feeling if you have a paper prescription or regular prescription bottle with your name, dosage, etc., it might not be a problem?

[murphysmum]

When entering the US with any controlled substance, it must be in it's original prescription bottle.

 

If you purchase controlled substances in Belize..or any other country...you should be fine as long as you have a valid prescription with a current date from your prescribing physician. It's best to have the pharmacist label it as a filled prescription, just as you would get in the US.

 

Without the prescription, as far as Customs is concerned, you are simply bringing illegal drugs into the US.

 

murphysmum;)

[kgerkin]

Thanks for the info. He goes to the dr a few weeks before our trip so I was just going to make a copy of the rx that his doc gives him. One med is for high cholesterol and the other is Ambien. However, I've never seen the inside of a jail and I have no desire to do so, so I thought I'd better ask. I'm glad you posted this on here. I would have thought nothing of buying anything and bringing it on the ship. When they sell the stuff over the counter my naive mind would have thought it was legal.

[dgack1]

Does anyone know if the pharmacies in Belize sell the blood pressure medicine called Atenolol?

 

Hey check out your walmart...at ours you can get a 30 day supply for $4.00, with or without insurance.

 

Enjoy your cruise...I will be waiting for your review:p

[ChrisM444]

Does anyone know if Accutane is available in Belize?

Thanks

[cool change]

Wow, after reading all of this it seems that I should bring my prescriptions bottles on shore if planning to buy from the pharmacy there. Does anyone else think this is necessary because its more to carry? I will have prescriptions bottles in my stateroom for whatever I buy.

[NancyChgo]

I am sorry but this made me laugh. There are a lot of prescriptions I might get from Belize.....but Birth Control. Nope. If there are any pills that I want to make sure are 100% right with zero doubts on expiration, strength, etc. Birth Control would be at the top of my list. If Retin-A doesn't work you get a pimple or a wrinkle.....if the magic pills don't work you don't get as "high"....but if the Birth Contol pills don't work you get a baby. :eek:

Absolutely you need to draw a line. I wouldn't risk buying B.C. pills outside of USA. Odds are good they'll be fine, it's the little/gnawing "but/what if" question - not worth it. I mean I'd never buy my mom's Diabetes medicine in another country; and I doubt I'd buy my blood pressure meds there either.

 

However, minor pain meds or non-harmful meds that are cheaper there... why not! I have a small list I plan to check out. I've also bought OTC aspirin that contained a small amount of codeine (about 1/5 of what's in a #2 codeine tab) both at a store and online. sometimes you want something 'just a little stronger' and it's not offered in the states.

 

And for asthmatics, they have Albuterol for $9. Not great, but better than where I live.

[NancyChgo]

Wow, after reading all of this it seems that I should bring my prescriptions bottles on shore if planning to buy from the pharmacy there. Does anyone else think this is necessary because its more to carry? I will have prescriptions bottles in my stateroom for whatever I buy.

I'm only sharing opinions and a few experiences. Opinion: it's normal for people to go ashore with pills/and return with pills in their belongings. The only reason I can see to bring all your bottles onshore would be 'proof of prescription' for the pharmacy:confused:, which you don't need for OTC meds; If an actual prescription is necessary you need to know beforehand and bring it. All the signs posted on the post w/the pix seem to be for their OTC (over the counter) meds. After purchase, you put them in your purse or bag or pocket. Don't advertise and don't hide; it's a purchase. Onboard security is usually looking for booze and contraband. If they question your meds THEN you can get your bottles from your cabin and show them.

[Bburg]

Anyone have any recent information on some prices for Ambien, Z-Pack or any other medicines available over the counter?

[lindslea]

I bought generic ambien last month in Roatan and it was $22. US for a box of 10. It's probably about the same cost in Belize.

[Bburg]

I bought generic ambien last month in Roatan and it was $22. US for a box of 10. It's probably about the same cost in Belize.

 

that seems a bit high for generic...i was hoping to find it cheaper

[lindslea]

Good luck with that. I don't think you will find it for less than that at the port. You can always pay a taxi to take you around to pharmacies in town, but by the time you pay taxi fare, you would probably have been better off just paying the "tourist" price. It was around $80. a box in Mexico.

[Bburg]

Just back from Belize. Zpack was $15, Ambien was 30 for $30. Better prices then we saw in Cozumel. I think I saw Vicodin at 100 for $50. Hope this helps. I had no problems or questions asked with bringing Zpack and Ambien in my checked luggage.