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Entry into Dubai - prescription drugs

PostPosted: 13 Mar 2009, 20:47
by Fairphil
This is bit 'off topic' but I cannot think of where else to seek advice.
We are due to travel to Dubai next week - staying for two days - sort of in transit before travelling on.
I've just read some of the 'advice' on the Dubai Tourist Authority website.
The 'advice' re prescription and other over-the-counter drugs seems very scary - to say the least.
It would seem virtually all over-the-counter drugs are banned and that prescription drugs need to have a doctors prescription to prove they are essential for the traveler
My problem is that I use prescription drugs - but am now in London and my doctor is in the North where I live so have no time to get a doctors cover note - we travel on Monday
Has anyone any experience of how these issues are handled at entry?
Is everyone searched - are the regulations applied strictly to the letter or would a UK pensioner with some blood pressure pills be allowed with no Doctors note
Help Please

PostPosted: 13 Mar 2009, 21:00
by honey lamb
quote:Originally posted by Fairphil
Is everyone searched - are the regulations applied strictly to the letter or would a UK pensioner with some blood pressure pills be allowed with no Doctors note
Help Please

Well I'm an Irish pensioner with blood pressure pills and I got through no problem, no searches, nothing. I did bring my tablets in the pack from the pharmacy which, over here contains the name of the prescribing doctor but no questions were asked.

The OTC medicines which are banned seem, IIRC, to be codeine based. There was an extensive thread about it last year if I can dig it up

PostPosted: 13 Mar 2009, 21:44
by Darren Wheeler
You mean this one?

PostPosted: 13 Mar 2009, 22:28
by honey lamb
I thought there was another one with a link to the prohibited OTC medicines but I can't find it [?] Maybe it was in my mind!! Or another website from which I got the list

PostPosted: 13 Mar 2009, 22:33
by Tinkerbelle
I found this list if it helps.

There is also a section about medications on the FCO website.

PostPosted: 13 Mar 2009, 22:42
by honey lamb
That first list was the one I was thinking of. Thanks, Tinks!

PostPosted: 13 Mar 2009, 22:46
by DragonLady
The UAE has a fairly draconian list of prohibitive medicines, some prescribed some 'over the counter'
http://www.gulfnews.com/images/06/11/14 ... gslist.pdf
DL