Psoriasis Medical Tourism in Mexico: My Story
Last Updated on Dec 25, 2021
If you started following me, my Instagram and my blog recently you probably thought that I’m just like any other woman, carefreely traveling the world in pretty outfits. It’s hard to imagine that less than 2 years ago, however, I was sharing with you my photos and stories about my psoriasis. This is a story of my medical tourism in Mexico.
I was a contributor to a psoriasis column for two health publications, and while learning more self-confidence to ignore my flares by doing what I planned on doing and dressing how I planned on dressing or undressing, psoriasis has been a big part of my life. At some point, however, my psoriasis stopped being a problem and so I paused writing about it.
Did my psoriasis get cured? I’m sorry to disappoint, but psoriasis isn’t something that can be ‘cured’ forever as there’s no forever fix to an overactive immune system.
Did I learn to accept my condition? While I have realized that there’s no cure and I must live with it, I actually didn’t even think about it.
What changed then?
I stopped traveling full-time.
Since I left the Netherlands back in 2014 I’ve been bouncing between the US and London for a while, but without a proper base. By the time I moved to Playa del Carmen in Mexico my psoriasis was a complete mess, as you could see in some of my photos.
When you’re working remotely while traveling, this can sometimes lead to an unhealthy lifestyle. Working long hours or during awkward times without a routine or schedule can make one stressed or tired, especially if you have clients in different time zones.
In my case, I’ve left my skin without any treatment or care, and as a result, I was almost completely covered in psoriasis spots. I thought that my will to live just like any other human without a chronic disease was strong enough, and while mentally it was, physically my body didn’t really get the memo.
Over the years, various doctors in different countries have been testing multiple forms of treatment on me and every time I was moving they liked to start the entire psoriasis therapy from the beginning: topical creams, UV lights, steroid creams, charcoal products and other things that never really worked for me.
Knowing what I know about my illness and by researching a lot I decided to treat myself. One might say that we need doctors to tell us what to do and what medicines to take, and while it’s true you also know your body best.
Becoming My Own Doctor in Mexico
By visiting different doctors in public and private sectors in Poland, United Kingdom, United States, Netherlands or Mexico I saw that dermatologists simply aren’t always able to follow up with every single new drug for psoriasis that comes out.
They treat many different conditions and with many drugs being available in some countries but not all, so many times it came down to them telling me that I need to tell them what kind of prescription do I need from them and whether they can provide it or not.
If you’ve been dealing with psoriasis for some years now you might know exactly what I’m talking about. We, those who deal with this condition have to research everything, see what works for us and basically treat ourselves with doctor’s supervision.
Once I settled in Mexico I researched all my options. As a digital nomad with no health insurance (no travel insurance covers chronic conditions) my options were limited to self-funded drugs.
In Mexico, most drugs are available over the counter. Quite often tourists and locals go to Mexico just to buy medicines, as they’re available over the country and are much cheaper. Not surprisingly I was able to get Methotrexate, an oral medicine, over the counter for psoriasis that I was prescribed back in the Netherlands.
With one small difference. In the Netherlands, despite my health insurance and prescription I had to pay 55 Euros a month for these pills and required weekly visits at the hospital for a check-up. It was expensive and required me to work from home for a day.
In Mexico, I could simply go to a pharmacy and ask for the box of Methotrexate, no questions asked. It was the same exact drug in the same exact box I was receiving it in the Netherlands, but I had to pay 80 Pesos for a monthly supply, which is around 3.50 Euros.
Methotrexate Treatment
As I’ve had experience with this drug before I knew what to expect, double-checked the right dosage and controlled my blood tests, which can also be cheaply done in Mexico. By saying that I knew what to expect I knew that I’d feel bad after it, as it’s a strong dangerous drug and it’s often used to treat cancer, in bigger doses naturally.
Being my only available option I was happy with the results. My skin partially cleared up and before Matt and I left Mexico we were able to stock up on more boxes.
Psoriasis Treatment in the USA
When we moved to the US and set up health insurance, I was able to see the dermatologist and after explaining what I’ve been taking, showing photos and the stages of my skin, I was able to receive the correct biological drugs without any issues.
I’ve been wanting to quit Methotrexate, as you cannot take it for 6 months before even thinking of getting pregnant. (I wrote more on psoriasis and pregnancy here)
No one has asked me to show proof of previous medical history (which would be difficult, as the Netherlands won’t send your medical history to the US for instance), told to try stupid not working topical treatments all over again.
My doctor and I decided to try Stelara, one dose every three months that I had to inject myself with. Truth to be told it worked miracles. Within a month my psoriasis has cleared completely. While we paid a significant amount of money for US health insurance as self-employed, my insurance had no issues with anything and I was happy.
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Left: before Stelara. Right: after 2 doses of Stelara.
Until We Moved to Europe…
As Stelara, Humira and other biological drugs for autoimmune diseases got finally approved in some places in Europe, they’re officially being subsidized by the national public health system.
After we canceled our US insurance we were denied residency in Italy and as a result, couldn’t enter the Italian health system. Our only option was getting private insurance, which isn’t actually a bad option for more people – just not for those who require biological treatment.
The problem is that biological immunosuppressant drugs are insanely expensive due to patent issues, hence why affordable alternatives cannot enter the market until 2022. Hence why no insurance company wants to pay for them.
Due to my pre-existing conditions and Stelara treatment I had to disclose, basically all expat insurances and private insurance companies in Europe decided to reject me. I’m not talking about not covering my biological drugs but rejecting me from the insurance.
It actually caused a giant mess that forced me to fly very last-minute from Italy to Poland to give birth in a private hospital, as Italian hospital decided not to accept me without insurance that I couldn’t obtain.
When I finally give up on signing up for national health insurance in Italy and Poland, as we weren’t able to do either, I thought I’d just use my savings and pay for my medicine out of pocket until we’re able to get on the US health insurance again.
Truth to be told, I’m one of a few people who like the US insurance but despises US pharmacological companies’ greed. The system isn’t ideal, leaving many without health coverage due to high insurance prices, but as pharma companies keep increasing prices of drugs out of green, the insurance gets more expensive. However, if you actually need specific treatment or surgery, it works. At least it always worked for me.
Speaking from my experience with European public insurances (which nota bene aren’t “free” as Americans like to state, because your employer actually pays for it out of your payslip), I remember even my family members waiting 2 years for surgery or over 6 months for a specialist visit and yes, that also includes oncologists. This is why many people go privately and pay out of pocket if they need to get something done quickly and efficiently. Which proved to be true…
Trying to Get Biological Drugs in Europe
Everyone’s impression was that once you actually have the insane amount of money to pay for a medicine you need, you’ll be able to get it. This wasn’t exactly true.
I visited various doctors in Italy, Poland, UK and heard the same thing over and over again: we won’t prescribe it to you.
Dermatologists I visited either had no clue about Stelara’s existence or told me they don’t support biological drugs and won’t prescribe them. One doctor said the only way I could get it would be to go through the entire therapy with topical creams, UV lights, and Methotrexate, confirm its failure again, then check myself to a hospital and ‘maybe’ I’d be able to receive it there.
This is when I turned to my good old Mexico for help again…
Getting Stelara in Mexico
Upon my research and help of my friends, I was able to get a confirmation that I could get a prescription for Stelara, assuming I’m paying for the drug itself out of pocket.
I ended up calling up multiple pharmacies in Mexico and found out that I can pick up Stelara from a pharmacy in Mexico City. And more importantly, it costs only 68,500 MXN (approx. $3530). I specifically said ‘only’, because in the US since January 1st 2019 when pharmaceutical companies increased prices, the retail price of a supply of 0.5 milliliters of Stelara is around $10,770. I need 4 doses per year.
Psoriasis is extremely expensive.
I’m not surprised that Utah insurance companies prefer to send people to Mexico to get their drugs and come back. While I’ve had experience with buying drugs in Mexico before, I had no clue how would it look like to get a special drug. But, it turned out to be easier than ever, but frankly, if I didn’t speak fluent Spanish I would have had to ask someone to do it for me.
Upon my arrival in Mexico City I checked the pharmacy website in the morning to see if Stelara is available – It was. I then called them to ask which branch I should visit and found out that Zocalo pharmacy has one.
Even though I’ve lived in Mexico City before and wandered around Zocalo (historic center) a bunch of times, I never noticed a whole street filled mostly with pharmacies. To the extent, there were 3 pharmacies at one intersection, one of which was the one I was looking for – Farmacia Especializada.
Sidenote: I later found out that a pharmacy next door – Farmacia de Paris, is actually a historic spot from 1944 that continues to develop more than 100 remedies on site. It also has a pretty historic system of getting the medicine out of the cellar, which works like the carousel – you should see it for yourself.
Farmacia Especializada sells a lot of expensive medicine, but it’s still a ‘Mexican-style’ pharmacy which means it’s a pretty open-air type of shop with counters almost on the street. Hence why it was surrounded by a few security guards.
The whole process took about 10 minutes, no questions asked. I received Stelara packed perfectly in a big cooler. As I wanted to stock up I asked for another one, but as they needed to order it I was told to come back in 2 days. What, ironically, was faster than when I had to order it in California.
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As you can see medical tourism in Mexico has saved me twice. When I shared my story on my Instagram post, many of my followers decided to share their medical tourism stories. Do you have any questions? Want to share your story or concern? Write it below in the comment section.
Hi, Anna I just read your story about psoriasis on News.com and wanted to say thank you, I have had psoriasis since I was quite young an you very eloquently described what it’s like, so again just wanted to say thank you
I’m glad I could help 🙂
I have had my whole body covered in psoriasis . After many years of embarrasment, pain and torture and creams etc and visiting specialists, drs etc i fixed it myself. I gave up Brown bread, onions, sulphar foods such as cheezels, potatoe chips, nuts , cucumber, oranges, 95 % chocolate, mandarins, 99% of my sugar intake which included tomatoe sauce etc , rock melons . Butter and margarine i gave up .I dont drink alcohol, dont drink tea or coffee and dont smoke. I eat mainly fruit and vegetables and lean meat and chicken and a piece of fish on rare occasions. I drink mainly water and milk and NOT cool drink or FJ. I make my own FJ by using 100% fruit NO sugars.. I use only natural sea salt BUT only to put onto a meat etc I dont cook in salt .I only eat white bread approx 2 pieces per day .Less sugar in them the better .I eat whit rolls ocassionally. I use extra virgin olive oil. I also soak my arms 2 times per day in salt water. In doing this i use approx 1 KG of salt per week in soaking my arms . I salt the water in a container in the morning and dissolve it and i then soak my arms for 15 minutes and then when i take them out of the salt water i let my arms dry naturally . I repeat this at lunch time and then during the evening. Why soak my arms ?.. well the skin on them became so weak , if i accidently pressed the skin too hard my skin would break out in huge red marks as though someone had hit me with a cricket bat. So now after soaking them in the salt water the skin has become tougher but i still soak them and now if i accidently hit my arm ie on a door or something hard the marks rareley appear if at all. I use the same salt water i used in the morning for lunch soaking and evening soaking then tip it out and put new salt water in the next day .
I figured out with my psoriasis that it has a lot to do with what i was eating and drinking. My kidneys and liver must be enjoying my new diet. Just about everyday people who know me are so surprised at my skins lack of psoriasis . I also sleep in thick ACTIL BRAND cotton sheets / pillow slips only cotton , cost approx $180 per set . I found other type of sheets were contributing to my psoriasis . I also wear cotton clothes, socks etc . I avoid if possible other types of fabrics. Over heating alos contibutes to psoriasis . If the psoriasis appears it starts near my ankles but i know i have broken my diet ( chocolate ) and i quickly change and i use on a couple of spots an ointment ( from my Dr ) named Eleuphrat ONLY for my body NOT my face.as it would tear my face apart. For my face i use Hydrozole. The tubes are 30 g each and last me for months IF the psoriasis breaks out .
My Drs said my psoriasis was the worst they had seen . The are amazed what i did and did say because it worked for me it may not work for others. I also lost a lot of weight, i figured the extra fat i had wasnt good for me but helping the psoriasis . Even my son who is a Dr is shocked . He didnt recognise me as we had not seen him for 3 yrs , only photos etc and my wife has visited him out of our state but i didnt visit him. i was too ashamed too travel etc . She was on strict advice from me not to tell him what i was doing. lol .When we visited him last Xmas , yes i flew interstate , He looked at me , he walked straight passed me at the airport , he didnt know who i was , , his look at me when he realised who i , was priceless .
i AM NOT in anyway associated with any of the brands i have named . It was over a period of years i experimented with fabrics, medications etc .
Good luck
Dear Anna, I appreciate you do not want your blog nor you to be defined by psoriasis but just needed to comment. My ex had psoriasis in her hair so twice a week I would use the appropriate charcoal ointment and work all the excess skin out (usually onto my lap as she laid there). Ironically, it was the best times of the week as it was just us and personal. Never did I look at the psoriasis or her with negativity due to same. If anything it bought us closer and became part of our lives not just hers. I guess I am just trying to say, sometimes these things can be positive with the right person.
And a massive thank you for showing everyone out there that you can have psoriasis and still be stunning.
I saw your blog and was immediately interested. I’ve always loved traveling and have recently been diagnosed with eczema and psoriasis. It started about 6-8 months ago (I am 20) and has been a difficult living adjustment. My skin is constantly itchy, and I never know what will irritate it next. My nails look like they’re rotting and my skin is red, scaly, and bumpy. I have a whole drawer full of ointments and prescriptions that sometimes don’t even work. I’ve started to think that having eczema and psoriasis could keep me from doing the things I love. Like you said, I have already adjusted my wardrobe to avoid comments and negative reactions to my skin. Your blog makes me feel better about myself and my condition and that I can still travel and enjoy the world even with eczema and psoriasis. I will definitely be looking into your blog! Thank you for being an inspiration. Keep traveling!
Hi Marissa! I know exactly how you feel and I honestly gave up on treatment because nothing really worked for me and I wasn’t eligible for Humira or Stelara (because I’m not US based atm). One tip: I recently read somewhere about a magic Chinese cream and since it was cheap ($3!) I thought let’s try it and got it from Amazon. I’m completely clean after a week of using it including my scalp and it even got my nails better. I’m seriously impressed. That’s the cream: https://amzn.to/2edjy0t
Thanks for this informative post. I’m taking Humira and planning on moving to Italy and traveling in Europe. Keeping myself on the expensive medicine is my greatest concern. I have yet to find an equitable solution.
The good news is that Humira will have a cheap generic equivalent in a year 🙂
No it won’t. A “bioidentical” is scheduled for January 31, 2023.
In the US in 2023, but globally in 2020 from what I read.
I wonder if the bioidentical will make it to Mexico by 2020. And, I actually developed antibodies to Humira, so no longer works though sometimes those antibodies are transient. I am seeking to move to Mexico in next couple of years, and think that even at Mexico prices, Humira would be a struggle for me at the cash price.
It’s definitely not cheap, but then if you compare with US prices well…
Keep in mind that sometimes brand name drugs have a generic equivalent drug available in different doses so as not to violate copyrights as bioidentical. I got one medicine 2 years sooner that way. Information on such things is available online if you look under equivalents drug to your xxxx.
Is this available yet ?
It appears to be delayed :/
I have severe urticaria due to a medical injury that happened when I was 15, somewhat similar except I’m covered in welts and hives 24/7 – anyway, I take tapers of prednisone if it starts to get particularly bad on my face and throat just for breathing reasons. It clears it up about 70%, I was offered Methotrexate back in the day but didn’t take it because I was so young and my immune system had already been altered. Most of the time I live with my Urticaria. All the over the counter, even combined, do not help me, I’m anti-histamine resistant, there are other options my insurance doesn’t cover. The actual process of finding a good medication that works is a hard and stressful one, on top of worrying about costs. Thank you for sharing your story.
FYI, recurrent urticaria isn’t from a “medical injury” ever. Prednisone is an immunosuppressant and puts you at risk of metabolic changes including diabetes. It is also linked to avascular necrosis of the foot and hip. With the hip it’s a ticket for joint replacement. You really should educate yourself so you will be taken seriously and more importantly be able to weigh the risk and benefits of treatment options more appropriately.
Okay Dr. Libre, tell the US Government who paid out for my disability caused by a hypersensitivity type 3 reaction to a biologic I wasn’t supposed to have yet the doctor screwed up and gave it to me. It says “medical injury” on my chart, that’s what they call it.
Yes, since I’m anti-histamine resistant but my mast cells pour out histamine to my own body I have to take prednisone to kill my immune system from attacking itself. It has terrible side effects, but do you know what else has terrible side effects? Hives in your throat closing up your airways. So I guess I’ll continue to go on a taper, and you can continue to not know what you’re talking about 🙂
It’s amazing how some people seem to know more about you and your conditions than yourself and your doctors, isn’t it? 😉
@Mickayla, hi Mickayla. I was perusing this site and saw you mention your condition. I was struggling w severe hives and uticaria for years and it became worse and I kept landing in the hospital with many hives around my neck and mouth. Finally my allergist recommended me for xolair. It’s a shot once a month in both arms for 6 months to a year. I made it to 11 months. It has been an absolute game changer. Minimal hives now and I still have my epipens everywhere but I truly haven’t really needed one in years. I still take a daily Allegra. But otherwise this has almost obliterated my hives and allergies. Please ask your physician if this would be suitable for you. I know my insurance covered most of it and in office it is 3500 a month. In the ER it was 10,000. My doctor had to plead my case to get me covered. It did give me a headache almost immediately. I would take a Tylenol for headaches and sinus pain and it would do the trick. Good luck to you and I hope this helps. Stephanie.
Joe Cross, the creator and star of “Fat, Sick and Nearly Dead”, suffered from the same skin/auto immune issue that you mention. He spent 60 days consuming only the juice of fresh fruits and vegetables and was was able to eliminate his symptoms. I believe you can watch the documentary for free on You Tube or Netflix. You should check it out ?
Thanks so much for this article. I take methotrexate and live in Mexico, but had no clue you can get Methotrexate here without a prescription. I’ve been flying back to the US every 6 months for refills and new doctor visits etc. Do you know what pharmacies in Mexico City carry methotrexate? Does Farmacias Edpecializades carry methotrexate too??? Thank you so much ❤️
Oh no! Yeah it’s not only significantly cheaper. Farmacias Especializadas has it, but there’s no need for that. I used to buy mine at random farmacies – Del Ahorro, Similar, YZE or I just checked, even some random private one.
Thank you so much ❤️ ❤️❤️? I bought some at Similares!!! Going back to stock up on a Monday when they have everything discounted! Thank you again!
Great to hear – so happy I could help 🙂
Hello! I also have moderate to severe psorasis and have struggled with it for a couple years now. At first it was only on my scalp but after joining the Peace Corps last year and being stationed in Paraguay, my condition became significantly worse and I began to experience flareups all over my body. Thankfully, the health insurance I recevied as a member of the Peace Corps completely covered my medical costs and I was eventually prescribed up to 7 creams/lotions and shampoos. Only one worked and it was amazing (Dermexane Clobetasol Unguento Dermico). While it helped the inflammation/flakiness/itching, it did not clear it up on my scalp at all. I was sent to the doctor again and prescribed a biological drug but we were evacuated due to COVID before I ever received it. I can receive an injection type after the government approves my claim but that will take more than a few months. I was told by friends there might be some options in Mexico and then I found this article! I was wondering if there is any update on available medications now or if I should have a friend visiting purchase the Methotrexate you mentioned above? Thank you as well for posting about this, I never would have known and it gives me a little hope that there is a solution that is more efficient and cost effective out there 🙂
Biological drugs take a while to approve (keep bugging them though!), but they’re so worth it! Methotrexate is still available in Mexico, it’s cheap and your friend can go and purchase it 🙂 But, have you taken it before like ever? Consider whether it’s worth it because it’s NOT a biological drug. It’s basically the same drug they use in chemotherapy, very strong and bad drug so it might screw some things up pretty easily. Dosing it and doing regular blood tests as well, so definitely ask the doctor to monitor and dose it for you. I knew exactly how much I needed to take because I was on it before with a doctor and had no biologic drug insight for a while, but otherwise, I wouldn’t have taken it to be completely honest. Hence why when I had the money I just bought the biologics in Mexico. If you start Methotrexate now it will take about 6 weeks to start working. They’ll also need to do blood tests before administering your first biological drug and if you have an infection that could or could not be caused by other drugs they won’t give it to you.
I’m wondering if you know the status of Taltz in Mexico? I’ve been in it for 4 years now (was part of Eli Lilly drug study) and it’s amazing. We are thinking on moving to Mexico so I will have to pay out Of pocket
Taltz is available: https://www.farmaciasespecializadas.com/medicamentos/detalle/30189-taltz-80-mgml-pluma-c1 🙂
@Anna Karsten, Thank you for this information. The cost of approx. $1768 is fairly comparable (about $200 CDN less) to what I pay for a single dose of Taltz in British Columbia, Canada now. This drug works so well for my psoriatic arthritis and I really hope the price comes down one day so I can consider relocating to Mexico… a dream I hope I can make come true. It is still a “new” drug, so it will sadly take many more years unfortunately. p.s. I just discovered your site and it is so informative! 🙂
I’ve been taking methotrexate for 10 years for skin sarcoidosis without any serious issues. I do feel tired the day after I take it but nothing else and blood work always ok.
How much does stelara cost in Australia?
Stelara was added to the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) this month, and will be subsidised around $380 million over the next four years in Australia. Stelara treatment would normally cost patients over $68,000 per year but will now cost around $230.
What a difference in price between countries!
Stelara costs $4228.69 in Australia, so more than in Mexico. I don’t know the exact details of how subsidized medicines work in Australia, BUT… it often means nothing apart from stupid headlines. Technically in Europe it’s also subsidized and it’s actually free, but it doesn’t mean that YOU will get it. In reality, no doctor is allowed to prescribe it without some monkey dance and years of other useless treatments taking time and hospitalization, so the actual official info that it’s available and free means nothing – I’ve never managed for instance.
In the US it really depends on insurance – in California I paid $230 exactly, but that wasn’t included in my deductible at all, it was out of pocket. In Utah it’s included in my deductible, so depending on your deductible and insurance that’s how much you pay (that’s IF you signed up for the insurance that has it and if they approve it for YOU – which is not guaranteed, similar to the rest of the world), but let’s say if I had a surgery that ate my entire deductible I’d pay nothing.
Otezla is another drug that treats psoriasis well. I have hooked up with a pharmacist in India. Otezla is Apremilast. India now has a generic Apremilast at 42.00 USD per month. I order a 4 month supply and shipping is 30.00. Being Otezla sells for 3500.00 in the USA the India variant works well and what a bargain.
That’s good to know! Although Otezla is not a biologic, it’s more like methotrexate efficiency, so for me for example it wouldn’t work enough :/
Hi Anna!! Do you have any idea if Otezla is available in those Mexican pharmacies??? That would be a great reason to travel there and I am having so much difficulty getting it here in Texas after now having private insurance.
I am SO GLAD I found your site, today is one of those days where I was losing hope.
Hi! Yes, it’s available at two pharmacies I found so probably more. Price is $750 USD for 56 tablets of 30mg.
Patricia! Can I get the information of where in India you get your otezla from?? I am having difficulty obtaining my prescription because my co-pay card ran out and between the specialty pharmacy and insurance etc, it is such a headache!!!
@Patricia Lynn, can you give me the name of the pharmacy that you obtained Otezla from? I, too, have been taking it for years, and it keeps my psoriasis under control, but Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas hates everyone, and they no longer apply the Otezla co-pay assistance to your out of pocket max, so last month I paid $2,100 for it, and I can no longer afford to take it at that price. Thanks!
In case this person doesn’t reply to you it’s available in Mexico for way less: https://www.farmaciasespecializadas.com/medicamentos/detalle/30107-otezla-30-mg-tab-c56
@Jill Focke, were you able to get name of the India pharmacy for Otezla would very much like the info Thank you Marty
@Patricia Lynn, Can you provide the info of the Pharmacy?
We will be flying to Mexico in a month and hoping to purchase Methotrexate while in Cancun. I’ve called a few pharmacies and so far I’m being told they don’t have it. My Spanish is not very good but I think I have been told that it is “discontinued” Even Costco said they did not carry it. I also read that there is a war going on with the Mexican government and the drug manufacturers over price gouging. They even talk about the cancer drug “methotrexate” being purchased from France because of the shortage. I’m hoping we find some while we are there. We buy it from drugmartdirect in Canada for about half what we can get it from here in the states. But it’s a pain because of the lag from the time we get the prescription and the time it takes to ship it. We always have to get a few from a US pharmacy. I’ll let you know how are drug hunting goes in Mexico.
I’m in Mexico now and yes, you can buy it under Ledertrexate 2.5g but it’s expensive. Farmacias Similares have the normal cheaper version 🙂
Thanks. You have no idea how much I appreciate your help.
We leave for Cancun next Monday and if all goes well we should be able to buy Lantus for around 56.00 US dollars from Farmacia Paris. It’s the mid $300’s at home.
Do you have my idea what happens if you try to bring more than 3 months across the border?
We were able to do so a year ago from a small Canada border crossing north of Spokane WA. I wonder since a lot more people bring drugs across the larger Mexico borders, this results in greater enforcement of the FDA 3 month rule.
I asked Farmacia París about metotrexato and or Ledertrexate and the WhatsApp response was “El otro producto metotrexato no tenemos
[12:10 PM, 4/12/2021] Rocsana Paris: No hay en existencia.
We are expecting 100 pills from the UK (Drugmart direct) this week. If it does not show up by the time we leave she will run out while we are in Mexico. I will try to call Farmacias Similares and see what they say.
Are you going to Mexico City too? Because Farmacia Paris is in Mexico City, not Cancun. I think they never had methotrexate. There are issues with the drug now, but Similares should still have something.
I never had issues flying with any drugs and I did fly with way too many packages of methotrexate once or two Stelaras so 6 months worth of supply. As long as it’s for you, it’s fine.
Thank you again. SOOOO helpful. I’ve googled this 3-month question so many times. All I get is the company line of limit yourself to 3 months. I did see a few older news articles about people buying a year’s worth but the info was not very current. SW air does not fly to MC anymore and I have a million and a half miles on SW and a companion pass. Makes it hard to fly anywhere SW does not fly (all my AA an U points are saved for Europe. Our next trip will be to Puerto Vallarta. Our trip to Cancun was around 9000 points for both of us. That explains why I have so many points. I joke with my kids that when I die do not let SW know that I’m dead just log into my account. My points are in my will LOL.
There is also a couple of “Paris” drug stores in Cancun as well. I also contacted Farmacia Similares from their website and this is the response I received. Hopefully, I can find it even if we have to buy the branded version while in Cancun.
“Hola Reggie, buenas tardes:
Te agradecemos haberte puesto en contacto con nosotros por el momento este medicamento se encuentra en desabasto, no contamos con una fecha para poder indicarte cuando estaría disponible en nuestras farmacias.
Saludos. “
Thank you for sharing about your journey and especially the Stelara part. I was on Humira, then Entyvio and out of remission on both. Tried an experimental medication, but that did not work either. So, I am now going to see if I can get Stelara. However, my insurance in the USA runs out by the end of this year and will have to look at going to another country to get Stelara since I cannot afford the $40,000 annually. That said, I checked out your information and links above and a couple of points: 1) Humira and other bio-logics will probably not have generic versions anytime soon. Maybe big pharma is in bed with the USA FDA? 2) the costs of Stelara in Mexico is no longer cheap. According to your pharmacy link, it is $3500 USD a syringe. About the same as the USA. How did you get it so cheap?
I personally do not know what to do and where to go in the world to get treatment and help with Crohn’s. If anyone reading this can help, that would be greatly appreciated.
Stelara was always $3500ish in Mexico because that’s the manufacturer’s price, there was never cheaper anywhere even if you somehow would be able to get it directly from the factory. In the US the current price of Stelara is about $11,000+ – I was actually accidentally charged for it recently so can tell you that it can even reach $12,000 in some states.
Have you tried Otezla? It’s not biological, but it’s effective in some cases. You can get it cheap from India (read through some of the other comments).
Yes. I know the price in the USA. I am struggling to find another way to get it cheaper. I just re-read your article. I thought you were saying it was $3500 a YEAR. Not per dose (every 8 weeks). My apologies. On another website someone said it would be $2000-$4000 a year in Mexico. I may be out of luck worldwide because even at $3500 a dose every 8 weeks, it is cost prohibitive. I have not looked at Otezla. But, as you probably know, in the States you have to go through multiple cheap drugs to see if they work for Crohn’s before they allow for a bio-logic. So maybe I have tried it in the past and forgot.
Anyway – thanks again for sharing. Not sure if I am going to be able to move to any country and get it for cheap.
Sadly $3550 per dose is the cheapest possible anywhere, because of the manufacturer – whoever told you it’s $4000 per year wasn’t right because it’s simply impossible. Although it’s every 12 weeks, so comes down to 4 per year.
Hi. This article is so helpful. Do you have any experience or information about getting Enbrel, ideally in Nogales? I live in AZ so it is only about an hour’s drive. I am on Medicare and it is unaffordable as none of the copay assistance programs in the US are available to Medicare recipients.
You would have to call and ask if they can ship it to their pharmacy in Nogales or have it in stock (often they only keep expensive drugs in Mexico City), but it is available: https://www.farmaciasespecializadas.com/searchresults?Ntt=enbrel&Rdm=246&searchType=simple&type=search
Anna
I wanted to share our experience buying drugs.
For large quantities of certain drugs, it does appear that the pharmacies will negotiate the price. No surprise, I’m sure you already know that. Farmacia Paris was a pleasure to work with and had a WhatsApp account for the store. It made communicating with them much easier. We negotiated a price of $57 us dollars (each) for 28 vials. Others wanted somewhere around $78 to $95 in smaller quantities.
Crossing into the US was a breeze. Customs was more concerned about the cost than the quantity. They never asked what we had. They just wanted to know if we were bringing in more than $800 worth of goods ( we declared $1600). Once they found out it was insulin they asked to see the prescription and that was it.
My final and perhaps most important advice for anyone wanting to bring prescription drugs across the border is to purchase a Global Entry Pass. I do believe this pre-screening that they do when you apply makes the whole experience much easier.
That’s an excellent point about Global Entry. I always use it when I travel without kids so I never thought about it, but that’s a great advice 🙂
That’s an excellent point about Global Entry. I always use it when I travel without kids so I never thought about it, but that’s great advice 🙂
Hi Anna!
So if I was recently prescribed the Choice of Cosentyx, Otezla or any other newest biological which one should I just go to Mexico to get? Living in South Texas I have many Dr friends that are actually licensed and practice in both countries. I want to get started with the best and most effective e one ASAP?
Like you-I’m tired of the trial and error ladder every dermatologist in US prxn me!
Thanks so much!
Different people will react differently to the same drugs, so I don’t think there’s “the best”. They’re both available in Mexico though.
Thanks for sharing this information, it really helps someone like me who is trying to learn how do adapt future plans to the need for absurdly expensive medications. I’ve never had to do anything outside the US insurance / medical system so it’s a learning curve. Several years ago my immune system decided to revolt in a big way. I was hospitalized for a while while my inflammatory markers went insane and my joints blew up like balloon animals. I was eventually diagnosed with Psoriatic Arthritis and went through the whole process of treatments, including methotrexate, without success. Eventually going through the biologic drugs with some better results, but it’s been difficult to travel since my employer provided insurance will only allow one dose at a time, and only from their specialty pharmacy, and will not ship overseas. I recently switched to Stelara specifically to have 12 weeks between doses, and so far it seems to be working.
It’s bad enough sometimes for me to mentally accept this condition isn’t going to get better, fine, I’ll adapt and deal with it, but I started to become depressed thinking about my dream to retire in Europe eventually, or to even retire at all needing insurance or a winning lottery ticket for these medications. I realize there are others who have already faced these issues and figured it out, I just haven’t been able to find any of those people until now. Thank you for sharing your story, it has given me some hope and at least somewhere to start figuring out my own long term plan.
It sucks about insurance not issuing more than one dosage (although I recently asked to issue one dose a month later and it wasn’t a problem actually – I was surprised).
Healthcare is so bad all around the world and so is the cost of medication 🙁
You aren’t alone. I’ve always dreamed and planned to travel extensively. Just got diagnosed with psoriatic arthritis and started on Humira. Now retiring early isn’t an option on a drug that costs $6k per month and I’ve already had bronchitis after 1 dose of immunosuppression. This blog is giving me hopes that it still can work, just takes planning.
I’m glad to have found this blog about biologics/meds and traveling! Our son was accepted to study in Canada, but they didn’t issue him a permit at the border. His medical exam for the study permit deemed him “medically inadmissible”, because his Crohns treatment and medications (Stelara being pricey everywhere) is an excessive cost burden. Traveler’s insurance will not cover Crohn’s, either. So now he has to take a Gap Year and reapply to US schools, where he is covered under our insurance until he is 26. I’m glad to have found this blog for people who have gone through challenges of obtaining and paying for biologics while living and traveling abroad. Like you say, it helps to have a community.
I’m so sorry it happened to your son, that’s awful 🙁
Yes, it was. The worst is that no one thought to tell us he never stood a chance to get a permit. Not the International Advising Office at the University (U of British Columbia), not the border guards, not the doctors who did the medical exam. Everyone said, sorry, nothing we can do now. He passed up some great schools in the US where this would not have happened. I want the word to get out, because no one should have to go though this. Thanks again for your blog.
Thanks for sharing your experience and tips about traveling and living abroad. Our son got accepted to a University in Canada, but was not given a study permit due to “Medical inadmissibility”- his Crohn’s Disease treatment and medication would be a cost burden to the system, they said, and travelers’ insurance does not cover biologics (he takes Stelara and methotrexate).what a shock — he found out only 3 weeks before the start of the semester, so can’t go to school there, now. It was a big blow, but we are learning more and it helps to find people like you online, to talk about what has helped. Thank you.
The article was very helpful so I will give you a heads up on the next tier of drugs. I have been on medicines you are on and have been on, and they eventually for me lost effectiveness. Taltz is the next tier of biological medicines, but you also have the option of a medical device that costs a little over $8,000 and lasts for years before replacing the UV-B bulbs is necessary, which is a home UV-B treatment booth covered as a medical device and used under medical direction. I think doctors up the time too much as skin darkens, but it is one alternative. They fold up against a wall, and elsewhere you can get much of the benefit from sunbathing the same amount of time with a sunscreen that only protects against other than UV-B light. I have spent decades protecting my skin, so I only tried that approach for 6 months, but I didn’t like standing in the booth for 20 minutes with nothing to do and a pillowcase to protect my scalp, face and eyes. The first step is to apply sunscreen everywhere.
The problem with health insurance in the USA is that when your insurance company pays too much for medicines it ultimately increases the health insurance premiums for everyone. Insulin is $24.99 a vial at Walmart or $9 if I let the insurance company pay about $180 per vial, which makes be suspect kickbacks in not using the cheapest source. Natural insulin is 50% fast acting (type R) and 50% slower acting (type N) and if manufactured identically to natural insulin is not even patentable.
I’m fully aware that the drugs might eventually lose their effectiveness… I can definitely see it 🙁
I had the medical device before (they’re rentable in Europe) and it did absolutely nothing for me. I totally know this about insurance. We got a bill (that insurance paid) for about $800 for kids’ vaccines and when we paid it out of pocket it was less than $100… so there’s definitely a giant scam going on.
Remember that stress is the biggest factor in aggravating psoriasis and moving so often is stressful. Growing up I did that a military dependent but as an adult I have moved sharply less often being in my 2nd home in 44 years of marriage.
Hey Anna, thanks for sharing your wonderful story!
I’ve got an autoimmune disease that’s so rare there aren’t many treatments indicated for it yet aside from Prednisone. There are some people who’ve had luck with Humira so I’ve been trying to find a doctor to prescribe it.
Would you mind sharing how/where you finally managed to get your prescription for Stelara? Speaking Spanish, traveling, and paying for the drug are no problem if I can find a way to get a prescription.
At the pharmacy directly 🙂
@Anna Karsten,
Hi Anna, thanks for sharing your experiences with psoriasis and making this information available.
I’m in the US (Austin, TX) and have been taking Humira for decades. It IS very expensive and the prices has steadily gone up. Even with insurance, I was paying about $10K/yr up until last year.
I’ve been on Medicare (retied senior) for the past five years and this year AbbieVie, through my dermatologist and pharmacy, offered my prescription FREE to me. zilch, nada, zero.
It is a NEW program (for 20220 that you apply for in October in the preceding year). You must have a dermatologist file additional forms in your behalf but I received approval in about three business days and everything was done online.
Some comments:
First: I think AbbieVie is doing this because they will have competition here in the states going forward. My insurance company pays but my portion of the bill is eliminated.
Second: AbbieVie did offer the program in the past but this year they eliminated the need to report your ‘net worth.’ (Because home values have been increasing here in the states, this and a small nest egg would disqualify many applicants from this program in years past.) I believe the total earned income for two is capped at $140,000 — don’t recall the deductible amount when applying as single.
Third: Your existing pharmacy may offer to help you file your application. Don’t do this. I found mine made errors and this may be common. Work with a dermatologist.
Note One: Use the AbbieVie website for the most current form YOU will need to file. This form does not ask what your net worth is. The old forms (asking the net worth question) are still floating around so be sure to get the newest application form. In prior years many people were disqualified based on the savings/net worth.
Note Two: If you want to take advantage of the program I would suggest that you start by finding a dermatologist who currently prescribes HUMIRA. Find one who has been doing this for a number of years if you can. Find one with lots of HUMIRA patients, if you can. Discuss your goals in your very first appointment. Talk to one of the physician’s assistants before your first meeting if you can. A good dermatologist will know the situation you are dealing with and do everything they can to help you.
Good luck.
Roberto
Thank you for all you knowledge about the prescription woes! Do you happen to know anything about Tremfya? I’m retired and on Medicare and have just been prescribed this for my psoriasis. Insanely expensive even with my Medicare and secondary insurance coverage… really cost prohibitive! I’m approximately 2 hours from the Juarez, MX border… Also curious if you have to see a dermatologist in Mexico for a scrip before purchasing the biological from a pharmacy and how I’d go about finding a dermatologist that could write a script for it. Obviously would like to know a cost for a dosage which is every 60 days. Thank you for any help you could give… BTW, I speak zero Spanish and am really nervous about traveling and being able to communicate. Thank you!
I don’t know about dosing Tremfya and prices out of pocket for you on Medicare, but I know it’s available in Mexico for 3040 USD – that’s the cost per shot. It’s easy to get a prescription in Mexico, but you would need someone who speaks Spanish because it’s not available at every pharmacy. Especializada could probably ship it somewhere closer to Juarez.
P.S. Have you checked the Janssen program? https://www.tremfya.com/plaque-psoriasis/cost-support-and-more
Thanks for the post. I get Stelara, but not as often as I need due to insurance restrictions. I am traveling to Mexico anyway and wanted to try getting a Stelara medication much in the way you are doing it. I have a couple questions :
1. I noticed you got the prescription at the pharmacy. What documentation do you need to present the need for Stelara? I require 90mg / 4 weeks, but get it every 8 weeks instead.
2. Do you have a referral for a reputable Cancun pharmacy. I am quite familiar with US Stelara packaging and does one in Mexico look the same?
3. Stelara will reimburse up to $20,000 in costs per year in US. Have you or anyone else ever tried to get that reimbursement for purchases made in Mexico?
1. Just yourself, nothing 😉
2. Not for Stelara I’m afraid. Call Farmacia Especializada and ask if they could deliver to you (https://www.farmaciasespecializadas.com/medicamentos/detalle/21997-stelara-45-mg-jgp-c1). Last time they only had Stelara in branches in Mexico City. Packaging looks the same, because there’s no generic version.
3. I have that card now, and unfortunately no – that won’t work, because you cannot use this card to pay for the medicine abroad.
Come to China! I just paid $ 2.50 to see my Dr. and get a refill for my Cosentyx prescription. Each pen cost me $ 126. The same dosage in the US is $ 7000
I need Taltz. Can it be bought in Mexico? I have psoriasis also. Thanks
@Donnie White, I also require Taltz and am about to retire but too young for Medicare in U.S which doesn’t sound like its a help anyway. Does anyone know if you can get Taltz in Mexico and if so, the cost?
I just clicked on the link you provided for the Mexico pharmacy where you purchased Stelara. Rather than the 3500ish price you mentioned, their published price is $89,000. Am I missing something?
Yes, you are. It’s a Mexican pharmacy so prices are in Mexican Pesos. Mexican Peso sign is “$” and it’s the original sign actually, US dollar sort of stole it from Mexico 😉