Restrictions on taking thyroid medication abroad

[Aurealis]

Can anyone help me locate information / any restrictions on taking T3 and Armour on holiday to India via UAE please ?

[fortunata]

I’ve been to India, Dubai and Nepal with my thyroid meds (both Erfa and Liothyronine) and never had any trouble.

[Aurealis in reply to fortunata]

I’ve been to Dubai with no problem, but no one challenged me ...

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK]

As always, the number one port of call should be the embassy websites of the countries you are visiting.

As a general rule, just changing aircraft, or refuelling stops, where you do not leave the controlled zone of the airport is probably not significant for otherwise legal medicines.

[Aurealis in reply to helvella]

Thank you

[Aurealis in reply to helvella]

I can’t find anything on website for India, I know I could telephone to ask, but wonder if it’s best to avoid raising my head above the parapet

[Maggimai in reply to Aurealis]

I found lots of pharmaceutical companies there on internet and they all manufacture thyroid treatment, so it should be no problem to get it in India if you visiting.

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK in reply to Maggimai]

Several problems with that initially good-sounding idea.

First - need for prescription.

Second - we keep saying not to swap makes, so far as possible.

Third - time between arrival and managing to get some might be longer than the time between doses.

[Fruitandnutcase in reply to Aurealis]

Think I’d prefer to raise my head above the parapet now than have complications on arrival.

Whatever the outcome I would want the name and position of the person who clears things for me and I’d want it in writing too then when you go take copies of your prescription as well as paper copies of the authorisation I imagine you are likely to be given.

[Aurealis in reply to Fruitandnutcase]

It just doesn’t seem possible to achieve unfortunately.

[shaws Administrator]

As far as I know we can take into other countries medications for our own personal use if we have hypothyroidism. This is a link:-

khaleejtimes.com/news/uae-h....

There must be people in the UAE who have hypo.

[Aurealis in reply to shaws]

Thanks shaws, that’s the common sense thing I know. It just seems such a fiddle. They refer you to their health department and from posts online it seems that they then don’t always reply , so all you’ve achieved is raising your profile prior to arrival. It’s a good job I’ve already booked, else I think I might not bother after all. Feeling can’t be bothered today

[shaws Administrator in reply to Aurealis]

The link I gave above has changed automatically and the info isn't there any more. It may be different if you are just passing through the airport. Can you post your tablets to India instead of carrying them. Although I know I prefer not to.

You also have to have a proper prescription or copy of.

expatwoman.com/dubai/guide/...

[Aurealis in reply to shaws]

Thank you shaws. I do always travel with copies of prescriptions and last endo letter. That’s quite a list, bit depressing for the anxious, depressed, stressed, on birth control pills, with pain or ADHD. No NDT or T3 though.

[Aurealis in reply to shaws]

It’s mainly women that are hypo of course... not sure there’s a great track record for women’s issues

[jimh111]

Check out UAE very carefully, they like to lock people up and have very strict rules on medicines.

[Aurealis in reply to jimh111]

I know, thank you. I think they are trying to attract holiday makers these days...

[greygoose]

The also have rules about pork products.

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK in reply to greygoose]

Yes, they do. But I used to able to buy bacon, USA-style "beans and pork", etc., from one of the licensed supermarkets in Abu Dhabi.

[greygoose in reply to helvella]

Maybe, but combine the two - medication + pork - and who knows! I'd rather be safe than sorry, myself.

[Aurealis in reply to greygoose]

The animal product issue applies in many countries eg Oz and NZ. There I declared medication and ‘forgot’ it was an animal product. NDT isn’t obviously an animal product 😱

I just wish they’d all publish a list so you could consult it before you book!

There’s been a recent article on bbc website. One link advises taking no more than you need with you. The other advises taking a backup supply in your main bag in case of lost hand luggage. Other advice suggests never no more than 3 months supply. So if travelling for more than six weeks, or 3 months !!! .... I’m not though x

[greygoose in reply to Aurealis]

Yes, but in Muslim countries, it's not just a case of animal products, is it. It's specifically pork. It's against their religion.