Is it relatively easy and inexpensive to get prescription medications in Peru?

Question

I'm planning on going to Peru for several months and I've never been there before so I'm wondering if the medication I currently take (specifically one for bipolar disorder) will be any less expensive there than in the US. I will be paying out of pocket and my insurance won't be covering it. Do they have the same drugs manufactured by overseas companies who can charge a lower price? Any advice would be much appreciated.

Answer 1

Yes. As long as you have a prescription it will be easy to obtain your medication. However, the price will vary depending on the drug manufacturer.

Answer 2

First of all you must know the there is a difference in the regulations for prescriptions and medications from country to country. In Peru I found the medicine very cheap, easly accessible and realiable when compared to the US. Peru is not as strict as the FDA is in the US, giving you access to medicines you would other wise never have. Just walk upto any pharmacy and make sure you ask to speak to a pharmacists, I'm sure they'll be able to assist you and provide you with several options as there are many to choose from. You probably won't find many American name brands, but I find the medicine more effective than in the US. You'll get more bang for your buck, the big drug companies don't have the government tied around their finger like they do in the US. Hope this helps.

Many people come from abroad to buy medicine cheaply & stock up for the return home.