Traveling to Muslim countries with NDT...?

I'm going to Morocco in December, and have been wondering about potential problems when it comes to bringing prescription drugs with me. I just read about a British woman being jailed in Egypt for bringing Tramadol with her. She had a prescription but, since Tramadol is illegal in Egypt, she has now been jailed for a month.

theguardian.com/world/2017/...

I have a prescription for Armour/Erfa...however, a simple Internet search will prove my pills (Thyroid-S) look nothing like Armour or Erfa...

Has anyone else had any problems going to a Muslim country carrying (porcine) NDT...?

[Barrister]

I spent a lot of time in Saudi Arabia over the last 5 years as my husband was working there. I'm now taking T3 but did try Thyroid S. Because of the pork issue, I found a vitamin supplement that was a similar size and colour and transferred the Thyroid S into that container because there was no way I would have taken it into the country in its original container. Clemmie

[Hidden in reply to Barrister]

OK, thanks, could you please send me the details in a PM?

Anna

[Barrister in reply to Hidden]

I can't remember which supplement, I just took one with me to Tesco and picked the one that looked the most like the Thyroid S. Clemmie

[Hidden in reply to Barrister]

Ouch...can anyone else recommend a supplement that looks more or less like Thyroid-S...? I never worried about this before but now, all of a sudden, it's become a major concern...!

[Barrister in reply to Hidden]

Most supplement containers have the outline of the Pill on the side of the bottle so you know the shape and size ( in case you have problems with swallowing, I suppose) that's how I found the one that was the most like Thyroid S. It wasn't difficult. I think it might have been a Tesco multivitamin but I can't be sure as it was a couple of years ago..

Clemmie

[Hidden]

I hope anyone can recommend a supplement...

[Treepie]

The woman had a large amount for her husband not herself which probably was the real problem. Still better to be safe and take precautions.

[Hidden in reply to Treepie]

Yes, but what does this mean...?! I take Thyroid-S which looks nothing like Erfa/Armour...I have a prescription for Erfa/Armour but Thyroid-S looks nothing like either one...! I will never have a prescription for Thyroid-S which is why I'm worried...!

[Treepie in reply to Hidden]

The Morrocan customs apparently ( according to UK gov site) have no prohibited items but advise taking your prescription and the number of pills that match .So maybe buy some Armour .

[Hidden in reply to Treepie]

Thanks for checking that out!

[Barrister in reply to Treepie]

The real problem was that they do not allow any opioid drugs into the country. When my rheumatologist in the UK offered me Tramadol, I refused it, not least because it is not allowed into Middle East countries. It's irrelevant whether she was carrying them for herself or someone else, they just will not allow them to be brought into the country, whether you have a prescription or not. They are banned, full stop. In Saudi, alcohol and pork are banned along with opioid drugs. You will always get some people who take banned substances into the country and may get away with it but I wouldn't want to chance it. That's why I never started taking tramadol ( that and it would have made me sick!)

Clemmie

[Hidden in reply to Barrister]

I admire you for having the courage to bring Thyroid-S into the country...were you never afraid they'd find out what you were really carrying...? Compared to Saudi Arabia, Morocco seems like heaven on earth...at least a lot less totalitarian.

[Barrister in reply to Hidden]

The chance of them ever finding out that it contained porcine products was extremely low so I wasn't too worried. They are more likely to check your baggage for alcohol so liquids were searched for. It was only the once that I took them in as I then found it didn't suit me so no problem there. Yes, Saudi is strange and there was always some worry when leaving or returning to the country - they can cause you so many problems but on the whole, we enjoyed our time there. I made great friends and they will always be that, irrespective of where we are in the world.

[Hidden in reply to Barrister]

Well, Morocco seems very different...from what I've read, alcohol is available in supermarkets and in most bars and restaurants, and they even produce their own beer and wine...which I imagine they don't do in Saudi Arabia...?

Completely OT, I know, but it's fun to compare various cultures.