Home / Commons / Session kits / Medicines and costs / Handout: Mexico

Reach · Handout

Medicines and costs: Mexico.

A take-home sheet for people at the session. Other countries: United States · United Kingdom · Canada · Australia · New Zealand · India · Philippines · Argentina.

On your phone? Tap any address to open it. After the session: where to go next. Short address for this sheet: moraph.org/s/medicines-and-costs/mx. Pass it on: cards to hand to someone.

Moraph for Good · Reach

Medicines and costs: Mexico

Handout · moraph.org/commons/sessions/reach/medicines-and-costs

The same medicine can cost very different amounts depending on the version and how you pay. This sheet lists questions to ask and the official help where you live, in the box below.

Generic medicines

  • A generic has the same active ingredient as the brand-name medicine.
  • It must meet the regulator’s quality standards and usually costs less.
  • It may look different; ask the pharmacist if you are unsure.

Questions to ask

  • Is there a generic or lower-cost option that would suit me?
  • What will this cost before you fill it?
  • Is there public help or an exemption I might qualify for?

If you can’t afford it

  • Tell your prescriber or pharmacist before you stop or skip anything.
  • Check the official help listed below.
  • Keep receipts; some schemes count what you have already paid.

Buying safely

  • Only buy from a licensed pharmacy.
  • Avoid sellers that don’t ask for a prescription.
  • Only take medicines prescribed for you.

In Mexico

  • Free medicines without social security. Under the Ley General de Salud (General Health Law), people without social security have the right to receive the medicines they need free of charge with public health services.
  • Generic names. Every medicine must carry its generic name as well as any brand name. Prescriptions must give the generic name; the prescriber can add a preferred brand, telling you about the options.
  • Prescriptions. Some medicines need a prescription that the pharmacy keeps. Others need a prescription that can be refilled as many times as the doctor indicates. Medicines may not be sold at street stalls, mobile stands or by street vendors.
  • Reporting a reaction. You can report a suspected reaction to a medicine or vaccine to the Comisión Federal para la Protección contra Riesgos Sanitarios (COFEPRIS, the health regulator) with its VigiRam or VigiVac app, by email or by phone.
  • Reporting a risk. A denuncia sanitaria (health complaint) to COFEPRIS can report risks in the sale, distribution or storage of medicines. COFEPRIS does not handle medicine shortages at medical units.

Official places to check:

General information, not advice about your own situation. Checked 22 October 2026. If an official source says something different, it is right. Free to copy and adapt. moraph.org/commons/sessions/reach/medicines-and-costs Version of .

Something wrong or out of date on this page? Report a problem with this page (opens your mail app, to hello@moraph.org)