Taking medicines into Dubai

[Propellerhead]

Hi,

I'm going to Dubai in a couple of weeks - how paranoid do I need to be about taking medicines through customs? I've researched it and am aware of the big no-no's such as sudafed and codeine, but what about paracetamol / ibuprofen / immodium etc.(immodium is derived from codeine but has none of the addictive effects).

I spoke to the embassy and they said anything is fine with a doctor's prescription but don't take anything else, and if I do take paracetamol I'm not allowed more than 10 tablets. Has anyone any experience of being stopped by customs there and how strict they are? I've heard they now have pda's with lists of accepted drugs, and I've seen various lists of controlled drugs.

Thanks!

[sheikmyarse]

just stay home

[ironbutt57]

Except sudafed and codeine, everthing you mentioned is available over-counter just about everywhere I've been in the UAE, buy it there..:ok:

[MrMachfivepointfive]

Paracetamol, Ibuprofen and Immodium are available over the counter in Dubai. No problem. By the way: You won't need Immodium - Dubai is not Cairo.

[Nightfire]

Yes, that's right. In fact, the pharmacies in the UAE have everything and more you'll ever need. If it's prescribed by a doctor, it'll be for free anyway. Vitamins, Painkillers etc. are available anywhere.
Just take what you have a prescription for. Leave everything else behind.

[Dubaian]

All good advice above.
I can buy Celebrex here in any pharmacy - it's prescripton only in UK (or maybe even banned now?) - but there was a story recently about someone who got in trouble at the airport for bringing it in. :rolleyes:
Simply because it wasn't yet on the drugs list. It wasn't banned - but wasn't approved either. Some jobsworth who had presumably pulled the PAX for some other reason used this 'anomaly' to fit him up.
If you have anything unusual you really need to have with you, get a Doctor's letter to be on the safe side. Have a nice trip

[Bus429]

Not suggesting this is anything other than luck but I went through DXB two weeks with my regular back up medication of Sudafed, painkillers and prescription medications no problem at all. However, I notice there appears to be more vigilance on the part of those watching the monitors when your hand baggage is examined after immigration.

[Da Do Ron Ron]

Have a look at this, it says there is a list of banned items on the UAE Health Ministry website

gulfnews : Guidelines to help travellers avoid bringing in banned medicines to UAE (http://gulfnews.com/news/gulf/uae/health/guidelines-to-help-travellers-avoid-bringing-in-banned-medicines-to-uae-1.90447)

[weido_salt]

Yes and before deplaning at Dubai, have a look at the treads at the bottom of your shoes. If you have stepped in a bit of grass/weed better get rid of, pronto.

We are dealing with imbeccles remember.

[Dubaian]

Here's the list - 49 page pdf.
http://www.moh.gov.ae/admincp/assetsmanager/files/pharmacusts/updated%20controlled%20medical%20list%20seperated%202007.pdf


<<< EDIT - this may be a restricted list - not the BANNED list - see below >>>

[RevMan2]

Eh?
I can't take a prescription anti-inflammatory such as Diclophenac (a common or garden NSAID) in the UAE.

Which means I need a wheelchair, because my hip won't let me walk more than 100 or so metres without medication

Great....

[Propellerhead]

Thanks for your sound advice everyone. I think it's worth 20mins of my time the find a chemist than have 4 yrs in the clink wishing I had!

[roadrunner21]

here is a thread from flyer talk on the same topic
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/emirates-airlines-skywards/1063858-arriving-dubai-w-prescription-drugs-will-problem.html

Most of the suggestions are helpful and the rest are flippant like the ones here.

Your best bet is the list posted by Dubaian (http://www.pprune.org/members/311180-dubaian) http://www.moh.gov.ae/admincp/assetsmanager/files/pharmacusts/updated%20controlled%20medical%20list%20seperated%202007.pdf

as with every thing related to the Middle East, be careful and try not to push your luck

[Dubaian]

Having second thoughts about that listing. I now suspect it's a list of restricted drugs - available through the agents they've listed but only on prescription. And it's not actually the totally banned list. Why would you list agents against something banned ??? But I couldn't find anything better..........