Illegal drug sales in Cancún markets pose health risks

Illegal Medication Sales Persist in Cancún Flea Markets Despite Federal Ban

Cancún, Quintana Roo — The illegal sale of medications in flea markets continues openly and without health supervision, despite being a federal crime that represents a serious risk to public health, a practice detected during an investigation.

In flea markets in Regions 103 and 23, as well as in the Tierra Maya II area, the sale of pharmaceuticals was confirmed at semi-fixed stalls, without official permits or adequate conditions of hygiene and storage.

During a recent visit it was confirmed that the products were exposed to the sun, placed on tarps, without refrigeration or expiration control, in clear violation of the General Health Law, which expressly prohibits their sale in flea markets, bazaars, mobile modules, and even through social media.

Despite the regulations, the activity persists without the presence of personnel from the Federal Commission for the Protection against Sanitary Risks (Cofepris), nor visible sanctions, said Octavio Alcocer, a general practitioner, who warned about the lack of surveillance in these spaces.

Some citizens acknowledged that they turn to these points for economic reasons. María López, a resident of Region 103, stated that she purchases analgesics and antibiotics at the flea market because “they cost up to half as much as in a pharmacy; with my income I cannot pay for a consultation and medicines,” she said.

Similarly, José Ramírez, a temporary construction worker, admitted knowing the illegality, but assured that when one gets sick and has no money, one buys what is available. “Here they don’t ask for a prescription and it’s cheaper, it seems they don’t allow us to get sick,” he expressed.

Citizen reports also indicate the massive sale of medications through social media. On Facebook and WhatsApp, closed groups operate where antibiotics such as diclofenac, amoxicillin, azithromycin, and cefixime are offered, without a medical prescription or health control.

One of these groups, identified as “Mothers who want to buy antibiotics without a prescription,” has at least 263 members. Transactions are completed through private messages, bank deposits, and shipments by courier, with no guarantee about the authenticity of the products.

In the flea markets of Region 103 and Tierra Maya II, at least two stalls offering pharmaceuticals were detected. The vendors refused to inform whether they have permits, receive official supervision, or the origin of the medications.

Paloma Ortega Cuervo, general secretary of the Union of Flea Markets and Street Vendors of the State of Quintana Roo A.C., acknowledged the detection of two elderly adults selling medications, who were asked to leave, although she admitted they often reinstall themselves at other points.

She indicated that the intervention of Cofepris was requested and that starting Sunday, December 28, inspection operations will be carried out in Cancún’s flea markets. She clarified that the organizers do not have the authority to grant permits or regulate the sale of medications or fireworks.

Until the closing of this edition, Cofepris in Quintana Roo, headed by Jaime Torres Viveros, had not issued any statement, despite it being a repeated infraction. It is also unknown whether in the 65 flea markets that operate daily in Cancún this practice occurs systematically.

Doctor Octavio Alcocer warned that purchasing medications on the street exposes the population to stolen, expired, heat-altered, or products labeled as “Sale Prohibited” or “Exclusive Use of the Health Sector.”

Furthermore, he emphasized that selling without a prescription promotes self-medication, antibiotic resistance, and severe adverse reactions.

Federal legislation contemplates penalties of five to 15 years in prison and economic fines for the irregular sale of pharmaceuticals. “Even so, the practice continues. The low cost explains the demand,” he expressed.

He added that as long as there is no inspection or punishment, immediate savings will continue to prevail over health risks.