dfross

Reading other message boards I have some questions about the best way to bring my prescription medications with me into Dubai for a 36 hour stay. I have several blood pressure medications, a beta-blocker and cholesterol medication. I have read elsewhere that "officially" you have to have some kind of letter stamped by the UAE embassy. Has anyone had experience with bringing in medicines. If I have the original bottles with the prescription label attached and a letter from my doctor stating that I need and take this medications, is that sufficient? Thanks for any help

TC

<b>From US Embassy regarding the import of personal "banned" medications into Dubai:</b> http://abudhabi.usembassy.gov/restri...edication.html

<i>"The Drug Control Department of the Ministry of health does have special regulations for personal import of such items: patients or travelers carrying prescribed prescription medications must have their prescriptions issued by licensed U.S. doctors, attested by a notary public, and duly authenticated by both the secretary of state of one’s U.S. state, and finally also authenticated by the Secretary of State of the U.S. Government in Washington, D.C.

Further queries may be directed to the UAE Ministry of Health’s Drug Control Department in Abu Dhabi, P.O. Box 848, Fax: (971) 2-631-3742."</i>

<b>From the Govt. of Dubai web site:</b>
<i>"Do ensure that your medicine does not contain a banned or restricted substance. See list of UAE restricted and controlled medicines or drugs. Another specialized list mainly for pharmacists, but also useful is the Complete Guide to Management of Controlled Drugs in the Private Sector, issued by the General Authority for Health Services, Abu Dhabi. (see link below).

If your medicine contains any banned or restricted substance, it is advisable not to carry them on your flight/travel into the UAE. However, if for medical or emergency reasons, you need to carry any medicines, <u>please ensure that you have a medical prescription from a UAE-licensed doctor,</u> or if treatment was undertaken abroad, you must carry both a doctor’s prescription as well as a detailed medical report, both of which should be suitable attested. You are not permitted to bring more than three month's supply of medicine, as per guidelines of Ministry of Health."</i>


Here's the list of "banned" meds. Which pretty much covers everything every made:
http://www.consulfrance-dubai.org/IM...s_EAU-2011.pdf

I don't know that this is of much help, as the information is so involved. Who has their Secretary of State o.k. a perscription for blood pressure meds? I would take the original bottles and a copy of the perscription along with a letter from your doctor. Good luck!

sandi

Are you during these 36/hrs leaving the airport and actually entering Dubai? If only staying long enough for flight transfers and maybe staying at an airport hotel... just have your original script bottle with your name indicated. These countries don't want people bringing in meds that can be sold. None of which you are using at least in the US, are considered 'controlled' substances.

Besides who/where could anyone obtain the info/docs as indicated above??? And note if having to depart airport, once thru Immigration, go right thru the 'nothing to declare' Customs Line (believe it's the green queue), don't look at anyone and no one will be the wiser.

Been thru the airport a few times for transfers and hotel layover and no one bothered to even look, let alone ask; seemed they were more concerned with the plastic bottle of water I had.

bambuvn

I went to Dubai, everything is wonderful

Melnq8

I've been to Dubai many times, never had any issues taking prescription medication in with me. In fact, I once purchased medication OTC in a Dubai pharmacy that required an RX in the US.

What you already have is more than sufficient, don't sweat it.

npquist

I was about to leave pretty soon for a trip to Dubai but I am having surgery on my arm and will be on pain meds I'm not looking to share or sell them but I will need to take them at night in order to have comfort in my sleep will I be sweated going through customs? Because that's the last thing I need when I'm just trying to go enjoy a trip and have a possibility of being sent home or jailed or something crazy? Any body have any thoughts on that?

doug_stallings

Pain meds are a particular issue with regard to Dubai, where carrying even Tylenol can be an issue if you do not have a doctor's note (if you are carrying a larger number of pills). And narcotic pain relievers are banned outright, meaning you can't carry them into the country even with a prescription. You absolutely must follow every single rule to the letter. And, yes, you can be sent to prison there for having pain meds without proper documentation. Have both a written prescription and a letter from the doctor outlining exactly when your surgery was and why you need pain medications.

If it were me, I'd look into the possibility of purchasing any needed medications in Dubai by visiting a doctor there rather than carrying them with you.

Certainly follow all procedures Dubai or, better, postponing your trip until you are fully healed.

doug_stallings

Here's what the US Consulate in Dubai recommends with regard to medications: http://1.usa.gov/1LbURzr.

janisj

OK -- this may be an extreme solution, but I would never (ever) try to take prescription pain meds (mostly likely opiates) not depend of acquiring them in country.

I would pay whatever change fees and take my holiday elsewhere this time. You can go back to Dubai when you aren't using pain medications.

janisj

oops . . . >>but I would never (ever) try to take prescription pain meds (mostly likely opiates) NOR depend on acquiring them in country.<<