Prescription medication when stopping over in UAE

[DavBlayn]

Hello, it's been a while.
I'm going on a six-month student exchange in the UK in a couple of months, and I have a question about the rules regarding prescription medications in the United Arab Emirates. I take prescription medication for my asthma, and to save money on the prescriptions, I'll be bringing six-months worth of the medication with me. I'm doing a stopover in the Dubai before I enter the UK, and I'm not sure what to do with the medication.

I have two option: Either I bring just enough medication for a month with me to the UAE, then mail everything else to the UK with the requisite PBS and customs forms; or I bring the entire six-month's supply of medication into the UAE.

From your experience, what should I do? I'm too keen on breaching customs rules in a country where it's illegal to kiss someone in public.

 

[puppysparkes]

This guide should help with your decision:

http://www.uae-embassy.org/sites/default/files Guidelines%20for%20carrying%20medecines%20to%20UAE.pdf

Edit.

Look like the link won't land on the right page. Search the site for carrying medicines guidelines. It covers everything you need to know.

 

[DavBlayn]

This guide should help with your decision:

http://www.uae-embassy.org/sites/default/files Guidelines%20for%20carrying%20medecines%20to%20UAE.pdf

So, no more than three month's supply can be brought in. Okay, postage it is! Thanks!

 

[Deleted member 29185]

Make sure you carry your script as well. OT, but is medication that much cheaper here than the UK to make it worth the effort?

 

[Pushka]

Dubai sells medicines that require a script in Australia including the pseudoephedrine that works for sinus issues. You will probably be able to buy it OTC there. I would post it but check out the pharmacies. It surprised me what they sold given their import rules and reputation.

 

[DavBlayn]

Make sure you carry your script as well. OT, but is medication that much cheaper here than the UK to make it worth the effort?

The medication is covered by the PBS in Australia, but I won't be eligible for NHS prescriptions in the UK because I'm only there for six months. The PBS prescription is literally half the price of the non-NHS prescription in the UK, so it's definitely worth it.

 

[Jemm82]

Hi,I just thought I would post a little information from personal experience. I am not sure whether it is applicable to your specific medications but UAE embassy website lists all of the medications you need to be aware of when bringing them into their country.

In my circumstance I had to get a doctors letter outlining the dates of travel, my medications and what purpose they were used for. I then had to get a notary public to certify the form and then have it certified through the Australian passport office so that the UAE embassy could authenticate it. This is all because my medication is banned in the UAE. Many drugs are including some antidepressants and even Valium!

The lady at the passport office told me some countries even ban paracetamol. It's just best to check as the UAE take this very seriously and you can get deported or at least have the medication taken off you (which in my case would be a major issue).
I was really surprised at how much trouble I had to go to and pay ($300 total) as well as how many medications were listed! Hopefully yours aren't listed and you just need to be mindful of the 3 month rule.

 

[Pushka]

Honestly, you did not need to go through all that bother and cost. We have been to Dubai many times and just carry the original script. And yes, some of those drugs were on the banned list. But 3 months supply is allowable.

 

[DavBlayn]

Luckily none of my drugs are on the ban list, so I think I'll be fine.

I think.

 

[Jemm82]

Pushka this is so frustrating to hear and I have since read similar experiences to yours on other forums. It's very confusing as I rang the embassy to ask what I needed to do and was told directly that I MUST do that process. I also read this on the embassy's website (which led me to calling them to confirm). It is very clear on the site what they want you to do but I cannot post the link here. I'm wondering if there is a big difference between what they *want\ask* you to do and what actually happens. Did you read this information also and just knew to ignore it or?

Also, did you declare your medication and were you asked to provide your script? If so, I assume that they just accepted that without any question?

I would much rather not having to do this process each time I visit. Yet I cannot miss even one dosage so I am paranoid enough to probably continue to do it. However it's still annoying to feel that it may all be a waste of time! It's also difficult to go with people's individual experiences rather than the information given by an embassy. So all in all I feel torn and frustrated. I don't understand why there is misinformation!!

 

[RooFlyer]

I think if you ask an Embassy, they would be obliged, and even relish, to tell you the letter of the law, which as we know is very strict.

Unfortunately what happens in practice in-country can be somewhat different - to either the benefit or (usually) the detriment of travellers. In your case, with a strict regimen I think you should feel comfortable in having gone through the hassle.

 

[blu]

Interpretation and enforcement of rules. Not something I'm willing to role the dice with in the ME.

 

[Pushka]

Rooflyer summed it up beautifully.
We did not declare any medicines and there was no one around to even declare them to. We had all the scripts etc.

If you draw attention to yourself even by cutting in on someone or talking loudly etc then you might get some angst. Dress conservatively - I always have a scarf. Don't hang on to your partner. So just act like a boring staid person and you'll be fine. A friend of ours got into a bit of bother when she lifted up a queuing barrier when another booth opened up and she wanted to switch. Big no no.

 

[opusman]

Australia has a reciprocal heathcare arrangement with the UK, are you sure you can't get it there on the NHS?