OBJECTIVE: The objective of this research survey is to determine the types of medications, reasons, and demographics of Americans going to Mexico to purchase medications. METHODS: This is a survey in which a voluntary, self-administered questionnaire consisting of twenty-four questions divided into three sections regarding patient demographics, information pertaining to the purchase, and information relating to the reasons why Americans chose to purchase medications in Mexico, is utilized. The population for this study consists of one hundred US citizens or immigrants purchasing medications in Progresso, Mexico. RESULTS: Results indicate that 60% of the participants had some form of private insurance, 18% had Medicare, and only 19% had no insurance at all. The number one reason for which participants traveled to Mexico to purchase medications is the lower price (85%) followed by lack of insurance (22%), and not wanting to pay for a physician’s office visit (17%). The treatment of infection is listed by 41% of the participants as the condition for which the medication they purchased is used. Hypertension (16%), and gastrointestinal disorders (13%) are the next most common medical conditions listed. Ampicillin (25%) is the number one medication purchased. Eighty-six percent of the people surveyed purchased one to three different types of medications, and 46% of the people spent between eleven and fifty dollars for their purchases. CONCLUSION: This pilot study indicates that Americans are traveling to Mexico to purchase medications for many reasons and for many different medical conditions. Based on this study, the major reason for going outside the country to purchase medications is the lower cost, even for people with private insurance. Further studies are needed to determine the specific implications and possible problems associated with taking such drastic steps to acquire the necessary medications by US citizens.