Over the counter medication in Russia
 

So, a contact on another forum posted that he got pulled for a check at the border coming out of Russia. He was searched and they found Solpadene, an over the counter, non prescription med.
Carrying this in Russia is illegal and he has now received notification to attend in Russia for a court appearance.

Be careful what you carry!!

Over the counter, in which country???

That is the thing, just because you can get it here does not mean it is legal in other countries.

It is actually known that it is always wise to inform yourself about what kind of medicine is legal in the countries where you travel to.

Specially Central Asian countries and Russia ( and Iran ... ) are very nasty about wrong and illegal medicine.

And the next point. Why to carry a lot of stuff where you don't know if it is OK, when you can get legally all this stuff from a doctor or a apotheka in these countries?

I usually only carry medicine for stommac problems and allergic reaction with me, and I show them to the customs right away.
That is what they want to see.
And I have small laminated cards where it says in Cyrillic that that is for....

The last years they always asked for medicine at the borders.

Solpadeine seems to contain codeine, which is not over-the-counter in most places. I've had a paracetamol+codeine mix prescribed, and it definitely wasn't over the counter here in Estonia.

If I read this I would never think it is ok to carry it in these countries.

Paracetamol and Codeine........

Opiates are controlled substances is most parts of the world. I wouldn't carry them either, other than perhaps for travel within the EU.

I know all the cautions about carrying certain meds while traveling...and yet I do still frequently bring opioids with me, trusting my dumb luck and well-practiced ability to bumble my way through. I'm also decidedly late-middle-aged, no longer part of the demographic which gets searched a lot. In fact, the only time I've had my meds questioned in the last 20 years or so (including at least eighty countries and hundreds of border crossings) was over a decade ago in West Africa, and they accepted my explanations. Recently I brought opioids to Russia (but left them in the airport when intending to take a look around Dubai).

My attitude is almost delusional, of course. But I'm subject to a lot of physical pain, and my travels are usually post or pre-surgery because my whole life is that way. Those opioids--not codeine, but oxycodone and hydrocodone--sometimes make the difference between enjoying my riding and not. I try to keep track of the risks, then decide according to my risk tolerance. Maybe it'll catch up to me someday.

I do carry original scrip bottles with my name on them. I don't bother with doctor's letters as is often recommended.

Just another perspective. I'd be interested in hearing how it all worked out for the OP's contact; a "notice to appear" could have serious consequences or mean nothing at all.

Mark

Russia can be very strict when it comes to importing anything that could even remotely be considered to be a "controlled drug".

I think that if it is absolutely necessary for a traveller to bring with them anything that includes codeine or other opiate-related substances, or anything that could remotely be associated with production of illegal drugs (i.e. pseudoephedrine, which is a pretty innocent nasal decongestant but contains a chemical used in the illegal production of meth), that the traveller get the drug provided to them on a doctor's prescription, and labelled by a pharmacy as a prescribed drug.

I recall that once I ferried an aircraft through Russia, and brought supplies needed to replace a de-icing boot (big rubber cover) on the leading edge of the wing of an aircraft. Included in the supplies was one quart of MEK, which is used to remove old adhesive before installing the new de-icing boot. The Russian customs officers refused to allow the importation of the MEK, because it is a chemical that can be used in the production of illegal drugs.

It didn't matter that the Russian aircraft mechanics that lived and worked at the same airport did their best to explain to customs that the MEK was used to remove the adhesive - and that in any case, one quart of the stuff wouldn't make very many illegal drugs. The importation was forbidden, period. It was only because I had been to that airport many times before and was known personally to the Customs people that the matter did not escalate further (i.e. charges made against me).

Apparently some of the Middle East countries are also very strict about importation of prescription & non-prescription drugs.

Michael

Been prescriced medical marijuana in Colombia for many years. I take the plane everytime with a one year supply.

My wife has taught nursing at the university level in Colombia and in Canada says Colombian doctors have been prescribing marijuana for ailments that traditional medication doesn't offer much relief.

At Russian borders I got definitely asked many times for medication.

And I always show what I have.

I do not take any strong painkiller wih me, because in case of need I will always get that in these countries legally from a doctor or pharmacy.

I live in Georgia (the country) and keep seeing people get into trouble for "drugs" - like ibuprofen! Yes - if you have too many pills, you are in trouble and it usually is two days of jail and court appearances, a plea bargain and a 400 USD fine.

But, you can buy all the Ibuprofen you want over the counter here - go figure.

Coming into Georgia via Vale from Turkey is the most frequent "arrest point" for drugs vs Sarpi which has so much traffic that they seem to care less.

Yes I agree, and then try with the same medication in Usbekistan, Iran , Tajikistan or Turkmenistan.

Good Luck.

And still, if necessary, you will get all this in pharmacies or from doctors in the countries you travel, and much cheaper.

So there is no need to take the risk.

And if you have prescribed medication you need it is easy to get a paper from the doctor with international names you can show.

Except prescribed medical marihuana, I am pretty sure this will lead you into heavy troubles in all of these countries.

I bought Ibuprofen from an Apotheke in Kazakhstan once, it was the equivalent of £3 for a box that sells for 30p in the UK :(