YOU'VE looked forward to your holiday for months, maybe even years. You've scanned travel brochures cover to cover, got your visas, planned your itinerary, packed your suitcases and off you head on the holiday of a lifetime. What could go wrong?
Well, plenty, if you haven't checked your medications.
Obviously, if you require prescription medicine, it is important you take it regularly to remain in good health even while you are away. This includes medication needed to manage any mental health conditions.
However, some over-the-counter and prescription medications taken in Australia (such as codeine) are illegal or considered a controlled substance in some countries. And even a letter from your doctor will not cover you.
It's a bad start to a holiday to be delayed or even arrested at customs for carrying a prohibited drug.
So you need to check the medication situation in the country you plan to visit even before booking your holiday.
Check with the embassy, high commission or consulate of the country you'll be visiting to make sure your medicine is legal there; or ask your doctor if you can take an alternative medication for your condition.
Common prescription medicines prohibited overseas include codeine, pseudoephedrine (found in some cold and flu tablets), dexamphetamine (medication for ADHD), morphine and sleeping pills.
If your medications are allowed there are still a number of precautions to take:
- Take enough medication with you to cover unexpected delays, and/or source a local alternative to manage your condition if you do get delayed. Remember some Carry a letter from your doctor detailing what the medicine is, how much you'll be taking, and stating that the medicine is for your personal use or the personal use of someone with you (a child, for example).
- Leave the medicine in its original packaging so it can be easily identified.
- If you plan to take medication with you, read the Smartraveller travel advice.
Popular travel destinations that prohibit common prescription medicines:
- Bali: Some prescription medications available here may be considered illegal drugs under Indonesian law and treated in the same way as narcotics. These include morphine, codeine, sleeping pills and dexamphetamine. If you intend to take prescription medication into Indonesia you should first contact the closest Indonesian embassy to confirm it is legal under Indonesian law.
- Japan: There are strict rules governing the importation of medication, and what can be carried into the country by travellers for personal use. Some medicines cannot be imported into Japan, including products containing pseudoephedrine or dexamphetamine, while others may require permission or a certificate (codeine) from the Japanese government.
- Thailand: There are strict rules when it comes to the importation of prescription medication. It works off a category system. There are limitations and restrictions around narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances.
- People travelling with personal medications must apply for a permit and declare the medications (not exceeding 30 days of usage) both entering and exiting the country. Medications should be kept in their original bottles and carried with a script at all times.
- Canada: Before travelling you should contact Health Canada for the most up to date information on what you must do and the documents you need to be able to travel with medication, including over-the-counter and prescription drugs.
- Even if your medication is not on the list of restricted and controlled drugs, you should carry a copy of your prescription, a letter from your doctor, and carry all medication in its original packaging. This applies while you are taking medication which is detectable in your system. Ensure you check the generic names of your medication with your doctor or pharmacist.
- Vietnam: Local law stipulates that prescription medicine (except for addictive and psychotropic medicine), intended for non-commercial use, can be brought into the country when the total import value is under specific $US amounts.
- Psychotropic medications (used to treat anxiety, depression and insomnia) carried by individuals upon entry and exit must not exceed the quantity prescribed by a doctor, and must not exceed a maximum of seven days use.
- The prescription must be in English or Vietnamese, include name and age of patient, list all medication, including name, volume and dosage, and include the doctor's signature and address. Medication must be declared at the customs gate.
- UAE: Medications (such as codeine) available over the counter or by prescription in Australia are illegal or considered a controlled substance in the United Arab Emirates. If you arrive with certain medications and don't have prior approval and the required documentation, you will not be allowed into the country and may be prosecuted.
It's also important to consider that illegal drugs detected in your blood or urine may be regarded as possession, no matter where or how long ago the drugs were originally consumed. Even if you are transiting through the UAE, you are still subject to their laws on illegal substances.
See the UAE Embassy's website for the list of illegal and controlled medications and the documents you will need. Medication on the website is listed by its generic name, which may not be the name by which it is known in Australia. Check your medication's generic name with your doctor or pharmacist. If you intend to travel with prescription medication, it is recommended to carry a copy of your prescription, a letter from your doctor and carry all medication in its original packaging. This applies while you are taking medication which is detectable in your system.
Travellers, including those intending to only stop in Qatar in-transit to other destinations, are advised to contact the nearest embassy or consulate of Qatar before travelling.
- For further information: smartraveller.gov.au
