Has anyone been on holiday to Australia and taken Armour with them? They are so strict about prohibiting items of animal/plant origin. If need be I could switch to levo for 2 weeks but would obviously prefer to stay on Armour.
Taking Armour into Australia?: Has anyone been on... - Thyroid UK
Taking Armour into Australia?
MrsQwerty,
Take a copy of your Armour prescription with you to show it is prescribed for hypothyroidism in the unlikely event you are challenged.
Hi there, South Africa is v strict also. I use NDT without script. What i do is, i always carry a letter on me from a private GP. It states that he has recommended the product for my personal use.
Hi Clutter and Bluedaffodil
Thanks for your replies, however it is not the prescription aspects that concerns me. What concerns me is that Armour is an animal product and there is a restriction on taking any animal or plant products into the country.
Hi Mrs Qwerty, you must have read my mind as I was just researching the very same thing!
I watch the Border Security type of programmes from Oz and I think the sniffer dogs will hunt us down very quickly!
I've emailed them on
information@customs.gov.au
If I get a response I'll let you know. I'm stopping in Beijing on the way to Sydney and I'm a bit puzzled about what to do there too..
You have done what I would have suggested - contact the embassy or whatever other service they offer and ask. This question has, in various forms (i.e. different countries and different medicines), been asked a few times. I think only the country being visited can really answer with authority.
Rod
The same restrictions apply in SA and i have been fine
My daughter worked on cruise ships sailing from Australia so regularly flew in and out of the country. She never had a problem with her armour thyroid (or erfa when she was was taking it)
She just kept her prescribed meds all together in her hand luggage - ie inhalers, thyroxine, armour and an epipen. I'm sure you will be absolutely fine as it's for personal use
I've had a response today
Thank you for contacting Australian Customs and Border Protection Service.
Travellers are permitted to bring no more than three months supply of prescribed medicines to Australia.
The medicine should be declared on arrival, in the original packaging and accompanied by a doctor's prescription.
You can confirm whether the natural desiccated thyroid product is restricted or not by contacting either the Therapeutic Goods Administration or The Office of Chemical Safety
Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA)
Local: 1800 020 653 International: +61 2 6232 8444
Email: info@tga.gov.au
Office of Chemical Safety (OCS)
Address: GPO Box 9848 (MDP 88) Canberra ACT 2601
Local: 02 6160 3258 Freecall: 1800 170 723
Email: tmu@health.gov.au
I hope this information helps and please do not hesitate to contact us back if you have any further questions
Kind Regards,
Customs Officer | Customs Information & Support Centre
Cargo & Trade Services Branch | Cargo & Trade Division
Australian Customs and Border Protection Service
P: 1300 363 263 | F: 02 8339 6713 |
E: information@customs.gov.au