MINSA Holding Back VA Medications

I've heard that MINSA is being much more... umm...   difficult. Word is that bringing in cosmetics, lotions, etc is no longer allowed. A friend ordered some stuff, they inspected the box, didn't  close something and it was a mess with lotions leaked all over everything. The only possible explaination I've heard is they are afraid people are bringing in things to resell which hurts local businesses. You would think one bottle of lotion is obviously for personal use, but TIP where things don't always make sense.

I haven't heard anything about the issues with medications. If you are on Facebook look for a group - Expats in Panama. I think people there can help you. Good luck and let us know how it goes

Use someone other than MBE to bring in your meds. I stopped using MBE and have no problem. PM me at *** for more info.

I sent you a PM on this forum Your private information was blocked I would love to drop MBE and go with something that is reliable and cheaper.

My update as of today. I called the VA and they want me to come to Panama City,bring a copy of my VA rating, my prescriptions,  get an appointment with a local doctor, find a pharmacy in PC that has my medications and have them then shipped to Bocas.  REALLY?

I am not done!

As a Panamenian, me thinketh that the government is trying to force foreigners to buy medications locally and also to use services provided by local doctors. Not easy. I wish you luck.  This is just one more hurdle one has to overcome in order to live in a supposedly cheaper country.

celmira9 wrote:

As a Panamenian, me thinketh that the government is trying to force foreigners to buy medications locally and also to use services provided by local doctors. Not easy. I wish you luck.  This is just one more hurdle one has to overcome in order to live in a supposedly cheaper country.

My wife is Panamanian as well and I have her doing a too much of the front work for me. I was thinking the same as you but we have heard over and over that the new administration is enforcing the laws and not turning a blind eye to things anymore...........OK sure. We were told that there was some medications being sent here to be resold on the market...........OK I understand how that can happen, even prescriptions from American Doctors. I know that there are Americans that know how to work the system and get a lot of heavy narcotics and resale them, I would not be surprised if the same happens in Canada, Europe, or the UK. BUT, one would think some common sense would be applied and certain medications would be off the list and/or from certain sources, like the Veterans Hospital.

However, I am not a criminal so I do not have a criminal mind. But if I was, I think I would be bringing in my goods in larger quantities and from a different type of source labeling, But what do I know?

Kindly
Wolf