Official Los Cabos inspections show pharmacies are secure for tourists

Inspectors with the Baja California Sur State Commission for the Protection against Sanitary Risks have been out inspecting pharmacies and enforcing rules to ensure safety ever since a story about the risk to tourists at Los Cabos pharmacies appeared in the Los Angeles Times and other local publications.

A Los Angeles Times investigation uncovered numerous potentially hazardous procedures taking place at pharmacies in Los Cabos. They included everything from stealing pills to selling and distributing the addictive substance fentanyl.

As a result, the Baja California Sur State Commission for the Protection against Sanitary Risks conducted a number of unexpected local inspections.

The inspectors allegedly discovered pill-cutting incidents and some poor record-keeping, but they failed to discover any fentanyl sales that were illegal.

In fact, they claim that since the incident’s news reached the public, they have carried out more than 450 random inspections at pharmacies situated in Los Cabos’ main tourist areas.

No fentanyl sales or pill splitting have taken place without the express consent of the Mexican government’s Ministry of Health, according to José Manuel Larumbe Pineda, head of the supervisory unit.

He has verified that Los Cabos pharmacies are dispensing medication in accordance with all applicable state and federal regulations.

Visitors can rest easy knowing that the pharmacies in Los Cabos have undergone numerous inspections and are continually monitored and enforced for their safety.

Any pharmacy found selling cut pills without proper government authorization may be fined 180,000 pesos (about $9,000), or it may face closure entirely, according to the Ministry of Health of the Government of Mexico.