Mexico beginning crackdown on antibiotic sales

(AP) -- Mexican authorities have begun enforcing tougher rules designed to ensure that people have a doctor's prescription to buy antibiotics.

It has long been common practice in Mexico for pharmacies to supply antibiotics to anyone who asks for them even though the law requires a prescription.

Officials announced in March that new procedures would be imposed to crack down on the practice as a way to address the growing problem of drug-resistant infections from overuse of antibiotics. The Health Department estimates half of Mexicans self-medicate without checking with a doctor.

Miguel Toscano, director of Mexico's federal commission on product safety, announced the start of the crackdown Wednesday.