Argentine Pharmacies

January 19th, 2009 Posted in day to day, lifestyle

Written by Shanie

When we moved to Argentina, I didn’t think much of the farmacias (pharmacies). Thankfully I didn’t get sick much and had no reason to visit the millions of farmacias that are have a strong-hold on every town in Argentina. I, thinking that they were nothing more than Western Medicine, pill-popping, drug company havens as they are in the States, tried to stay away because of my belief in homeopathic medicine, healthy eating and working on dis-ease through other means. But I recently have learned that I was wrong.

I learned that the farmacias here embrace other modes of healing other than the chemically based pill. They sell flower essences, homeopathic remedies and herbs along side the man-made pharmaceutical brethren. And at a much discounted price in comparison to what I was finding in Lake Tahoe.

So, not only are the Western Medicine concoctions available at a much lower price than in the States (and no need for a doctor’s prescription), but they are also open to other modes of healing. That is something that I greatly appreciate.

And so does my body.

  1. 7 Responses to “Argentine Pharmacies”

  2. By changcho on Jan 20, 2009

    Well, since you’re talking about argentine parmacies…The fact that you do not need a prescription for antibiotics is a problem.

    And I remember getting the components for powder (specifically potassium nitrate) from pharmacies with no problem. Of course, my friends and I were heavily into chemistry (I mean, chemistry sets and such, not nothing else!)

  3. By Quickroute on Jan 20, 2009

    I’ve been offered homeopathic remedies on a number of occasions and while I’m still not convinced on their scientific benefits it’s refreshing they don’t just want to pump you full of the most expensive poison- oops I meant medicine

  4. By Patagonia on Jan 21, 2009

    Changcho…why do you think it is not good to be able to get antibiotics without a prescription? Just curious.

    And Quickroute…try it you might like it. Come on…everyone’s doing it.

  5. By changcho on Jan 21, 2009

    The reason not to give antibiotics w/out a prescription is that a bacterial infection needs to be diagnosed first. Handing out antibiotics like candy (for a long time, and to a lot of people) is a sure way to build resistance among nasty bacteria in the long term.

    Of course, antibiotics will do nothing if you have a viral infection (most colds), in which case an antibiotic is, additionally, a waste of resources.

  6. By Patagonia on Jan 21, 2009

    Very true Changcho. But it seems that even physicians over-prescribe it.

  7. By willibrord on Jan 25, 2009

    Have you noticed that the residents are healthier because they are not as reliant on allopathic medicine?

  8. By Patagonia on Jan 26, 2009

    Willi,

    You bring up a good point. On one hand, there are very few obese people in Argentina and people walk and ride bikes more. However, many Argentines smoke and are sleep deprieved IMO.

    So, I am not totally sure what to make of it.

    Suerte, Jamie

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