Matters of money

摘要

With prescription drug costs in the UnitednStates escalating rapidly, Americans arenflocking in droves to Mexico and Canadanin search of a bargain. Drugs purchasednacross the border typically cost much lessnthan their American counterparts: A pre-nscription for the arthritis pain relievernCelebrex, for instance, costs $72 in thenUnited States but can be filled at FarmaciasnInternacional in Tijuana, Mexico, for as lit-ntle as $43. Servicing U.S. demands fornpharmaceuticals has become big businessnin both countries. For example, cities likenNogales, Mexico, have dozens of phar-nmacies catering to American buyers, par-nticularly the busloads of senior citizensnwho arrive daily on “prescription drugnruns” promoted by U.S. tour companies.