ISLAMABAD: Pakistanis planning to travel to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) for work, business or tourism have been advised to check the country’s regulations on carrying medicines before departure.
The UAE imposes specific rules on medicines, particularly narcotic, psychotropic and other controlled medications. Travelers are required to ensure that the medicines they carry are permitted in the country and to have the necessary medical documentation.
Travelers are advised to have a prescription when they have to take any prescribed medicines. According to health officials in UAE, a prescription for controlled medicines includes the patient’s name, medicine, dosage, form, period of taking, date and doctor’s information.
They are advised to have their medicines in original packaging and in the required quantities for personal use. According to the current laws of UAE, travellers are allowed to bring narcotic or psychotropic medicines for personal use for a period of up to three months while other medicines for a period of up to six months, depending on the requirements.
Many medicines prescribed to treat diseases that cause sleeplessness, anxiety and other nervous system problems may be included in the list of controlled drugs. This is why travellers are advised to make sure that their particular medicine is not restricted in the country before flying.
It is also recommended that travellers visit the online facility offered by the UAE Ministry of Health and Prevention to get approval for their controlled medicines. The approval is optional but people carrying controlled medicines have to follow the required procedures and guidelines.
Travelers who do not have prior approval for controlled medicines are required to declare them on arrival and have a prescription and medical reports for that purpose, according to the UAE health officials.
Passengers are advised to check their medicines against the official guidelines of the UAE to avoid problems upon arrival at the airport.
