By Juan Montoya
Like many low-income residents in Brownsville, Josefa (Josie) Sandoval found it difficult to get medical treatment for such common ailments as throat infections, toothaches, etc.
Although her children were eligible for Medicaid, she, as an adult, found it extremely difficult to qualify for the restrictive income guidelines of the state and federal governments.
"I'd almost have to be homeless to be able to qualify for Medicaid as an adult," she said. "I'd have to be unemployed and then have to attend (Choices) meetings for up to 40 hours a week."
Unwilling to do without the small income generated by her maintenance job at a local call center, Josie resorted to the time-worn tradition along the U.S.-Mexico border: she would walk across the Gateway Bridge and purchase self-prescribed antibiotics from drugstores lining the main strip.
Now, the government of Mexico has announced that this health-care safety valve for border residents like herself may not be available anymore.
Starting on April 1, Mexican Health Department authorities will begin a crackdown on the sales of antibiotics on the pharmacies that don't follow the laws requiring a doctor's prescription for the sale of the popular medications.
Their announcement cites dangers associated with self-medication and a small, but growing, problem of drug-resistant infections.
They have threaten to close those pharmacies charged with violating the rules.
"It would be hard on me to have to go to a doctor and get a prescription when I know that I have a throat infection or a fever," said Sandoval. "The reason we go across to get the antibiotics is because we already know which medications work best on what illnesses. If we have to pay to see a doctor, I don't think I could afford it."
Mexican pharmacy clerks have traditionally recommended specific antibiotics to customers based on their experience selling the drugs. Amoxin, Ampicilina, and an entire range of antibiotics to treat everything from sexually-transmitted diseases, toothaches, to minor infections can be purchased from just about every pharmacy along the border.
"My nephew got a dose once and we knew what to get for him," she laughed. "Sure enough, he got over it and now he takes better care of himself."
But Sandoval thinks that the Mexican government can make any edicts it wants and that border residents - historically adept at avoiding the rule of law - will find a way to evade it and get the medication they need.
"When I buy medicines at a pharmacy across, I tell the pharmacy clerk that I am going to Brownsville and they give me a doctor's prescription slip authorizing me to have it. I don't know where they get them, but the immigration guys at the bridge don't question them."
2 comments:
Mex goverment wants more money, they need money and the poor people who go to mexico will now pay the piper. Simple.
I m sure the insurance industry bribe the drug stores, and in Mexico like the U.S. money talks.
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