I had a medical issue in Oaxaca that required a specialist consult. I found a web platform that I used to find a physician in Mexico who spoke English. I was able to look at the doctor’s profile, training, licenses, and reviews. I found a doctor in another Mexican state (physician licensing in Mexico is national, not by state), who had video appointments in the evenings, so I didn’t even have to miss class!
My appointment was very casual, using Google Meet. The appointment was for an entire hour!! My doctor was very knowledgeable and attentive. The medicine he prescribed was available over the counter, but just to safe, he wrote me a prescription which he emailed me in PDF form. Since then he has texted me several times to check in.
I took the prescription to Farmacia Similar, a popular and beloved chain pharmacy. They had the medicine in stock, and I didn’t need a prescription. Mexican prescriptions laws do vary by state, so it is still good to have a prescription.
I have international health insurance for major health stuff, and I just pay for everything else out of pocket. I’ve researched out-of-pocket medical treatment in Mexico, and it is shockingly affordable.
My online consult with the specialist was about $65, and the medicine was about $20, all out of pocket, which is close to what I would have paid just for co-pays in the US.
Mexico has the reputation of being a place where you can get any drug without a prescription. This may have been true in the past, but now Mexico has strict laws regulating antibiotics and drugs with a potential of abuse/addiction (benzodiazepines, opioids, stimulants, etc). Many drugs for chronic conditions and lifestyle can be purchased over the counter.
There are definitely rogue pharmacies in heavy tourist areas that seem to brazenly operate, where you can get tons of drugs you shouldn’t have access to over the counter, but the quality and safety of these drugs can vary.