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EWmums

EWfood

ewmoda

bringing prescription medicines to Dubai

96

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 05 May 2011 - 17:11

My DH suffers with migraines and has 2 prescription products , one is Migraleve and the other is Rizatriptan. I have been trying unsuccessfully since yesterday to locate the list of banned medications, but the link on the main www.Dubai.ae site just won't work.

I think the Migraleve is a problem as it contains codeine, but I haven't a clue about Rizatriptan. We have copies of the prescription for both products, but it appears that any product with codeine is a no no, even with the script.

Does anyone know of an alternative link or website with the info we need? Many thanks

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2

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 02 April 2018 - 10:40

I use Rizatriptan 10mg capsules and travel with them all the time. They were not on the Ministry's banned list as of August last year and you can actually even buy them over the counter here unlik...

I have been trying to find a pharmacy that sells Maxalt, which one had them ?

4747

Posts

EW MASTER

Latest post on 03 September 2011 - 10:13

You cannot bring in migraleve, even with prescription. I wouldn't advise you even try, as migraleve contain codeine and it is absolutely a banned substance. Yes you might get lucky and bring it in undetected, but if it is found on you,customs could take a hardline and jail you. Worth the risk, personally I wouldn't try it. u can bring in medicines that are on the banned list, as long as you have the correct documentation for it, my mum brings in codeine for the all the years i have been here and has never had a problem.

2171

Posts

EW EXPERT

Latest post on 03 September 2011 - 10:00

Just to update with my experience on this for anyone who has the same problem, I came through the airport on Thursday night with handbaggage chocablock of 3 months worth of 3 types of restricted medication - it went through the scanner at passport control and the security man looked at me, smiled and said 'you have lots of medicine madam'. I replied saying 'yes it's for my daughter who is sick' and that was it. He didn't ask to look at it or at the letters/prescriptions. I have no idea mind you whether the letters were worded correctly had he wanted to see everything, but definitely breathed a huge sigh of relief! Hope this helps for anyone worried about bringing things through, although there is of course no guarantee that this will happen every time. :)

870

Posts

EW GURU

Latest post on 27 July 2011 - 09:04

this advert banner is a real pain as its blocking the writing. i thought with the maintenance that they would have done some way of getting rid of it if you dont want to see it. arrgghh !

870

Posts

EW GURU

Latest post on 27 July 2011 - 09:02

my mum ( uk ) has prescription only medication as long as your arm, she was advised to bring a copy of her doctors letter stating what medication she in on and also a copy of the prescription with the medication corresponding to her doctors letter and she has to carry all the medication in her hand luggage in the orginal packaging - along with the docs letter and prescription. she comes to dubai many times and has never had any problems. ps codeine - tranquelisers etc all included. <em>edited by fairwater on 27/07/2011</em>

435

Posts

EW EXPLORER

Latest post on 27 July 2011 - 08:21

The link to the moh list of banned substances doesn't seem to work anymore ... hopefully this will help: http://www.grapeshisha.com/plan-your-trip/banned-drugs-in-dubai-and-abu-dhabi.html <em>edited by Quizzme on 27/07/2011</em>

2171

Posts

EW EXPERT

Latest post on 27 July 2011 - 01:35

hi lidkekiwi - thanks for your email address - you can delete it now - I've emailed you.

143

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 25 July 2011 - 11:39

Hmm, when I contacted MOH for permission some 3 months ago to bring in prescribed Migraleve, the advice I received was that migraleve would not be allowed in the country...... Perhaps I should have persisted as I took this advice as correct. :( I don't know about this drug - as I didn't get permission for this drug. But from my research and speaking to people, from what I gathered - is they will only give you permission to bring in drugs/medication that are available in Dubai. If the said drug is not available for purchase in Dubai(with a prescription) then they don't like you to have it............. I do know that you can get permission for codeine.

96

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 25 July 2011 - 10:02

Hmm, when I contacted MOH for permission some 3 months ago to bring in prescribed Migraleve, the advice I received was that migraleve would not be allowed in the country...... Perhaps I should have persisted as I took this advice as correct. :(

143

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 25 July 2011 - 03:23

You cannot bring in migraleve, even with prescription. I wouldn't advise you even try, as migraleve contain codeine and it is absolutely a banned substance. Yes you might get lucky and bring it in undetected, but if it is found on you,customs could take a hardline and jail you. Worth the risk, personally I wouldn't try it. You can bring in codeine - but you MUST get permission - which is they will give you - if you follow the correct process.

143

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 25 July 2011 - 03:21

I downloaded the list - I can email it to you Also, if you want any advice on bring in controlled medications - I have just done through the process to get permission and got permission......I can tell you what I did. <em>edited by lidkekiwi on 27/07/2011</em>

96

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 24 July 2011 - 20:59

You cannot bring in migraleve, even with prescription. I wouldn't advise you even try, as migraleve contain codeine and it is absolutely a banned substance. Yes you might get lucky and bring it in undetected, but if it is found on you,customs could take a hardline and jail you. Worth the risk, personally I wouldn't try it.

2171

Posts

EW EXPERT

Latest post on 24 July 2011 - 20:23

Sorry to bring this age old topic up yet again! Does anyone have a link to a list that is a) working and b) current - the Emirates website one doesnt work, I can't find anything on the MOH website (which is a nightmare to search on and their FAQ section doesn't include this vital query!) and am at a loss where to look next. I've also tried the US Embassy website, the UAE London website and none of the links work! Thanks. If I find anything in the meantime I will post it

96

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 05 May 2011 - 21:04

thank you, that just the info I needed x

1692

Posts

EW EXPERT

Latest post on 05 May 2011 - 19:34

I use Rizatriptan 10mg capsules and travel with them all the time. They were not on the Ministry's banned list as of August last year and you can actually even buy them over the counter here unlike the UK. Hope that helps.

1759

Posts

EW EXPERT

Latest post on 05 May 2011 - 18:20

The closest link to officialdom I can come up with is this http://www.emirates.com/uk/english/plan_book/essential_information/banned_substances_in_the_uae.aspx but I can't make the lik to the MoH's list of banned substances. On a practical level, carry your doctor's prescription with you. Do not be stupid. If asked, declare it. If told it will be confiscated, let it go. I doubt very much if you are polite, respectful, and non-confrontational (and are sober, white Westerners) you will even be questioned. But carry the prescriptions with you.

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