I gather I need to take specific action ahead of a trip to Dubai this October ref my heart meds - specifically Bisoprolol, Atovastin and Disp Aspirin....
Anyone with any experience of this and what's involved pre journey and on arrival? Do you have to declare prescription meds?
Thanks
Andrew
Hi Andrew,
I’ve been to Dubai several times now. My heart journey actually began there whilst I was celebrating the New Year in 2021 and ended up having a heart attack on New Year’s Day. Usually, it is wise to check that all those medications are allowed to enter the emirate. Looking at the medications you are taking, there seems to be no issue or restrictions on those.
As of 2018, the UAE Ministry of Health declared that visitors to the emirate (Dubai) can take upto 3 months supply of their medication for personal use. Doctors letters and prescriptions are a sufficient form of evidence.
I always take my medical reports which clearly have my medications printed on them, the dosage, and how often I should take them and what condition I use them for. I have not once needed to present my medical reports for my medication whilst in Dubai and neither have I ever been stopped by customs. Make sure that whichever medical reports you decide to take, they have been issued within the last 3 months.
It is encouraged by the UAE embassy and MoH that you fill out the following form online before travelling regarding medication but if I’m being honest, I have never done this. It also includes a list of the controlled and non-controlled medications in a PDF at the bottom of the site.
mohap.gov.ae/en/services/is...
Keep the medications that you may require or take daily in your hand luggage in case you need to take them on the plane. I always keep my GTN spray and heart meds in my hand luggage.
I hope you have a lovely time away!
Tos
Hi the Arab states are quite stricted with certain medications. Regardless of the list on the safe side I would carry a letter from your gp listing all meds you will be taking. And perhaps a copy of your repeat prescription.
Hope this helps
Best wishes
Shabana
Hi I have not been to Dubai but I did holiday in abhu Dhabi, I had heart failure at the time and I had quite a few meds to take, I kept them in the original packaging and took my repeat prescription, no one asked about them at security or anywhere else, what I didn't realise at the time is that co codamol is illegal and I had about 20 with me😱 I am so glad I never got stopped. Enjoy your holiday Char
Cocodamol is a controlled drug in the UAE. You can take the drug into the country with you as long as you submit a form declaring it stating why you take it, the dosage, and doctor confirmation. They recommend only taking enough for the length of your stay.
Paracetamol is also a controlled drug and I happen to take that with me every time. I didn’t realise it was a controlled drug until my last trip. But like yourself, I have never been stopped or searched.
I hope you are doing well.
Tos
I had no idea till I got back home, I always take them for my arthritis. I thought it was just tramadol you couldn't take after reading about someone who got jailed although I think they had a large amount of them, it just shows you should check what you can and can't take into countries. I usually either go to Spain or Portugal and it's fine to take there thank goodness.I am getting there slowly thanks, I just need to be a bit more patient as it's taking a bit longer to recover due to a couple of problems with the op but thankfully everything is fine and healing well. Char
Tramadol is considered a narcotic drug in the UAE, and like Cocadomol, a visitor should only take enough supply for their stay so perhaps this is why there were issues with the individual that got jailed as they may have failed to declare the drug and took more than they required with them.
I’m glad everything is healing well. It’s safer to heal slowly rather than quickly. Keep us updated and I hope you have a lovely weekend x
Thanks for your reply, thankfully I didn't have many with me and I never got stopped oh the thought! I will just have to be a bit more patient with the healing and I am going to phone my Dr next week to see what's the best way to come off the oxocodone and back to my co codamol. I will keep you posted. Char x
take a signed letter from your Doctor about all meds you are taking I had to do this when I visited Oman 🇴🇲 n then on to Dubai
thanks for the replies - something of a shock to discover the strict rules here - but all info useful a(thank you) and plenty of time to get myself organised!
Hi,we had to declare our medication before we flew to Dubai especially because I was taking Tramadol. After that declaration we didn't have any problems.
bludnut
Think you will need a letter from your doctor stating what meds your on and that they are solely for your own use
Hi after reading all the replies re going to the UAE does anyone know what they use for pain relief if everything from paracetamol, co codamol, tramadol and I assume oxocodon and other opiates are banned, surely they must have something to give to people in pain whether it's just a headache or after major surgery. Char
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