Rules about posting meds from overseas?

[kellykell]

Hi

does any know if it's legal to post over the counter meds from abroad to the UK, where those same meds are classed as POM meds? Meds like T4, Hydrocortisone, Floricot...you know the stuff we have to buy else where as the GPs wont support!

Thanks all

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK]

If the medicine is not a Controlled Drug, then it is legal for anyone to receive the product(s) in the UK for their own personal use (or that of members of their household).

It is illegal for any other purpose. (With a few fairly obvious exceptions such as scientific studies.)

You can view the Controlled Drugs schedules on a UK government site but beware - some names are not as obvious as you might think.

Importing quantities which would be improbable for a single person to use in a sensible time could result in investigations, if noticed by customs.

[kellykell in reply to helvella]

Hi thanks for info. The trouble is these meds are OTC meds in the country of point of sale. Here in the Uk they are classed as POM! Crazy! Dhea is obtainable here in the UK but in Aussie enter the country with some and they ll give you a room with some bars!!

All very confusing!

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK in reply to kellykell]

DHEA is not just a prescription-only medicine in the UK - it is a Controlled Drug. Even simple possession is illegal. I don't know why you think it is Over The Counter in the UK?

There is an application going through the European Medicines Agency (which is based in London) for DHEA to be licensed. As Jeremey Hunt seems dead set against remaining members of the EMA, we in the UK might not ever be covered by an EMA-issued licence for it. Which might mean not seeing a UK licence within the next decade, if ever.

[kellykell in reply to helvella]

Oh! Did n't know that one! Out of T4, Hydrocortisone, B12 methy and Floricot, a Fludrocortisone the DHEA was the easiest to source and buy in the UK!

The rest has to come from overseas.

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK in reply to kellykell]

Are you sure it really is UK-sourced? There are many, many websites which look as if they are in the UK but actually are not.

I believe Wiki is spot-on accurate here:

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dehyd...

[Clutter]

KellyKell,

It's perfectly legal to import those meds for your own or your household's personal use. You can carry them in person or arrange for them to be posted to you.

[kellykell in reply to Clutter]

Thanks again for your help!