I need help with medication info regarding entering Dubai | ExpatWoman.com
 

I need help with medication info regarding entering Dubai

1403
Posts
EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 07 November 2011 - 22:42

Hi

My parents are flying into Dubai and my Dad is currently on Codeine Tablets to help with his cold/flu etc. Is Codeine illegal here? It was prescribed by a doc and apparently the pharmacist has given Dad some sort of 'letter' or similar to state the tablets are for medical reasons.
I need to know if it is illegal, would this letter from the pharmacist be sufficient? Or is it best for Dad to just leave the medication onboard the aircraft when he disembarks in Dubai?
Any help or info would be greatly appreciated. I need to let them know by tomorrow (Tuesday) lunchtime whether it'll be ok or not.

Thanks!!
<em>edited by shellly on 07/11/2011</em>

2958
Posts
EW EXPERT
Latest post on 07 November 2011 - 23:51
My mum is on codeine based pain relief and before she travelled out to see us her Dr would put her one a different pain relief without codeine. It's best not to have the codeine in the system......just not worth risking it as it's banned and illegal - see if he can be prescribed something different - if he's really not well it might be worth considering delaying the flight in for a few days. Hope he gets better soon.
5400
Posts
EW MASTER
Latest post on 07 November 2011 - 23:01
Thanks! I think you're right, not worth the potential problems. Just a thought though... if he is due to take one or two of the tabs while flying, it would't be an issue if he just took those 2 tabs onboard would it, as he would be taking them before getting off the plane. And would't have the box with him. There's a horror story on the net about a woman being jailed for having codeine in her system on landing in Dubai. Hang on.. http://www.dubaifaqs.com/drugs-dubai.php Tracy Wilkinson
1403
Posts
EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 07 November 2011 - 23:00
Actually, its just not worth the risk at all. I'll just tell him to take his dose before the flight and then be done with it all together. If it continues to be bad he can see a doc here. Thanks for your advice ;)
1403
Posts
EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 07 November 2011 - 22:57
Thanks! I think you're right, not worth the potential problems. Just a thought though... if he is due to take one or two of the tabs while flying, it would't be an issue if he just took those 2 tabs onboard would it, as he would be taking them before getting off the plane. And would't have the box with him.
5400
Posts
EW MASTER
Latest post on 07 November 2011 - 22:56
I wouldn't risk it at all - just in case. It seems highly unlikely he will be stopped and jailed, but just in case he's unlucky.. http://www.fairtrials.net/press/article/list_of_controlled_pharmaceutical_substances_in_uae Get your dad to get something else prescribed for his cold/flu. Once he's here, he'll be able to find a pretty strong equivalent sold over the counter.
1403
Posts
EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 07 November 2011 - 22:49
Just did an EW search and Codeine is illegal. Not sure what the process is for paperwork etc to prove he needs it for medical purposes but they are not flying in from their home country (Australia), so not even able to sort it out there if thats meant to be the case. What should they do? Just leave it on the aircraft at the end? Or not risk even taking it on the aircraft?
 
 

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