Tramadol, a medication indicated for moderate to severe pain, is an opioid that acts on the central nervous system; its use—even at the dosage recommended by a physician—can lead to addiction. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) reached this conclusion in 2014 and subsequently classified it as a controlled substance.
In Mexico, this same measure will take effect on July 14, following the implementation of an amendment to the General Health Law published on January 15. This amendment classified Tramadol as a substance that “has therapeutic value but poses a serious public health problem.”
The product is available in various forms, as it is a generic drug sold under both pharmacy-specific and commercial brand names. One common presentation is a box of ten 100-milligram tablets, with prices ranging from 100 to 600 or 700 pesos.
Under the legal amendment, pharmaceutical companies must update their sanitary registrations to reflect the new classification, and the medication may only be sold at pharmacies licensed to handle controlled substances.
The law establishes classifications for six types of medications. Section III of Article 226—where Tramadol is now categorized—stipulates that the drug may only be purchased “with a medical prescription that can be filled up to three times.”
Pharmacy staff must stamp the prescription and record the transaction in the appropriate control logs each time it is filled. The law also mandates that the pharmacy retain the prescription upon the third filling, and the attending physician determines the quantity to be used by the patient.
