taking medicine on your trip

[Rinus]

Hello there,

I was wondering if taking my own medicines could give me a problem.
I've tried to get an Arabic translation of the patient information leaflet (as I,m coming through Syria) but only managed to get hold of a English version.

I can't do without them so i can't afford handing them in to suspicious customs people.

Thanks Rinus

[docsherlock]

Shouldn't be a problem unless you are taking controlled drugs, in which case you would need a doctor's letter and a drug export license issued by the Home Office (these are UK rules) and an import license to the countries you are visiting; you would also need to declare the medicines to customs and show the paperwork. Be careful as controlled drug carriage carries the death penalty in some countries unless you have the correct paperwork - notably Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand and Burma. Your doctor will be able to advise you on the list of controlled drugs.

SW

[Rinus]

Thanks doc, all you said is clear and useful.
And as there are no other responses, I take it that it doesn't cause to much problems. I cant imagine that I'm the only one traveling with medicines.

[RogerM]

I travelled with 7 months supply of diabetic and blood pressure tablets last year - had a letter from my GP in Australia and translated that into French, German, Russian, Arabic. Not once did anyone ask about them.

Just be sensible, keep the drugs in the original packaging, declare them at known "death/life sentence" countries.

Get a letter from your GP stating why you need to carry x months supply.

[thegimp]

Originally Posted by RogerM

I travelled with 7 months supply of diabetic and blood pressure tablets last year - had a letter from my GP in Australia and translated that into French, German, Russian, Arabic. Not once did anyone ask about them.

Just be sensible, keep the drugs in the original packaging, declare them at known "death/life sentence" countries.

Get a letter from your GP stating why you need to carry x months supply.

As above

I do remote medical work and have hand carried drugs, Prescription/non prescription/controlled drugs round the world, including to most of the "Hardcore" countries.

If you have decent paper work from your GP (An official looking stamp always goes a long way) it will get you through

Worst case scenario you have you drugs taken off you, with a little bit of effort you can touch base with a local Doctor who can write out a script for you, maybe for a price but, thats life

To counter being left without your regular prescription split your drug stash up in your luggage, hand luggage/hold/panniers/tent pockets etc

Uk GPs are buggers however for not giving you more than a couple of months prescriptions. Don't leave it till the last week to rock up and demand six months of pills.................Dr won't be keen.......If you are on a schedule get cracking and at the first opportunity in the next country touch base with a GP and upgrade your stash