Current:Home > FinanceState Department issues warning about counterfeit pills sold in Mexican pharmacies-LoTradeCoin
State Department issues warning about counterfeit pills sold in Mexican pharmacies
View Date:2024-12-23 21:13:10
The U.S. Department of State issued a warning after reporting showed that counterfeit pharmaceuticals containing illicit drugs were being sold in pharmacies in Mexico.
The counterfeit medications were tainted with substances including fentanyl and methamphetamine, the department said. The details of the counterfeit pills were first reported by the Los Angeles Times. The department said that the Drug Enforcement Administration had also reported counterfeit prescriptions sold on both sides of the border, represented as OxyContin, Percocet, Xanax and others.
The department said in its advisory that people should "exercise caution when purchasing medicine," noting that pharmaceuticals, even those that might require a prescription in the United States, "are often readily available for purchase with little regulation."
In addition to the risk of contamination, officials said counterfeit medication could "prove to be ineffective" or be the wrong strength.
"Medication should be purchased in consultation with a medical professional and from reputable establishments," the department said, noting that counterfeit medications are "readily advertised on social media and can be purchased at small, non-chain pharmacies in Mexico along the border and in tourist areas."
The kidnapping of four Americans earlier this month in a Mexican border town has also put a spotlight on "medical tourism," or when people travel to another country to receive more affordable medical care or prescriptions. While the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention do not track crime related to medical tourism, they do deem the practice "risky."
A 2015 study from the U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) found that about a million people from California traveled to Mexico to buy medicine at lower prices.
- In:
- Mexico
- Crime
Kerry Breen is a news editor and reporter for CBS News. Her reporting focuses on current events, breaking news and substance use.
veryGood! (153)
Related
- Caitlin Clark's gold Nike golf shoes turn heads at The Annika LPGA pro-am
- 'Bachelor' fans slam Brayden Bowers for proposing to Christina Mandrell at 'Golden Wedding'
- NBA trade deadline buyers and sellers include Lakers, Pistons
- China calls for peaceful coexistence and promises pandas on the 45th anniversary of U.S.-China ties
- What that 'Disclaimer' twist says about the misogyny in all of us
- Arizona lawmakers face big deficit due mostly to massive tax cut and school voucher expansion
- Tax season can be terrifying. Here's everything to know before filing your taxes in 2024.
- Tax season can be terrifying. Here's everything to know before filing your taxes in 2024.
- Texas man accused of supporting ISIS charged in federal court
- Hezbollah fires rockets at Israel in ‘initial response’ to killing of top leader from allied Hamas
Ranking
- After years of unrest, Commanders have reinvented their culture and shattered expectations
- Maine man injured in crash is shocked by downed power line
- Arizona lawmakers face big deficit due mostly to massive tax cut and school voucher expansion
- Ohio State football lands transfer quarterback Will Howard from Kansas State
- Vikings' Camryn Bynum celebrates game-winning interception with Raygun dance
- Harry Dunn, officer who defended the US Capitol on Jan. 6, is running for Congress in Maryland
- New York governor promises a floating pool in city waterways, reviving a long-stalled urban venture
- Daniel Levy on Netflix's 'Good Grief,' his bad habits and the 'Barbie' role that got away
Recommendation
-
Will Reeve, son of Christopher Reeve, gets engaged to girlfriend Amanda Dubin
-
The teacher shot by a 6-year-old still worries, a year later, about the other students in the room
-
Virginia man keeps his word and splits his $230,000 lottery prize with his brother
-
Boeing still hasn’t fixed this problem on Max jets, so it’s asking for an exemption to safety rules
-
Florida State can't afford to fire Mike Norvell -- and can't afford to keep him
-
Jeff Landry’s inauguration moved to Sunday at 4:30 p.m. because of expected severe weather
-
NYC train collision causes subway derailment; 24 injured
-
Fire in Elizabeth, New Jersey: Massive blaze engulfs industrial warehouse: See photos