Transit in Dubai with prescribed methadone
I am travelling from the UK to Thailand with a connection in Dubai. I have prescribed methadone. Will this be a problem in Dubai?
Best Answer
While you haven't indicated whether you'll be going through immigration controls during your connection in Dubai, even in transit you would want to have a medical prescription with you, not just the medication. The medication has to be in its original packaging and in a quantity considered appropriate to personal prescribed use.
The UAE has strict laws (and severe penalties) regarding controlled substances, that can affect those in transit, not just those entering the country.
Gulf News January 2018 coverage of the Ministerial decree which lists banned and controlled medicines and narcotic drugs:
Watch out for these if you are bringing medicines to UAE
Travellers to the UAE are advised to consult the detailed list of the banned medicines and drug schedule and seek permission to carry these from the Registration and Drug Control Department of the ministry prior to commencement of the journey.
In case of controlled medicines for personal use, both travellers to the UAE and those transiting through the country have to carry a valid medical prescription from the country of origin. In case the original prescription is not available, travellers are advised to carry attested prescription. For those terminating their journey in the UAE, an additional authenticated certificate or permit from the relevant health authority is also required. In case of controlled medicines for personal use, the amount of medicines cannot exceed more than 30 days of treatment.
And Thailand has similar regulations, as it lists methadone among the controlled substances for which those under treatment are required to obtain a permit prior to entry.
Travellers to Thailand under treatment of these medications are required to obtain a permit (Form IC-2) issued by the Food and Drug Administration before travelling to Thailand.
The quantity of the medication transported into Thailand must not exceed 30 days of prescribed usage. To apply for the permit, please download the application form (Form IC-1) and supplement and submit the completed form along with copies of the medical prescription and the required certificate at least two weeks before the arrival date by:
Fax: (66) 2591 8471 or
Email: tnarcotics@fda.moph.go.th or
Mail:
Narcotics Control Division
Food and Drug Administration
Ministry of Public Health
Nonthaburi 11000, THAILAND
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Can you travel to Dubai with methadone?
In case of controlled medicines for personal use, both travellers to the UAE and those transiting through the country have to carry a valid medical prescription from the country of origin. In case the original prescription is not available, travellers are advised to carry attested prescription.Can I transit enter Dubai with medication?
The UAE embassy advice says: \u201cIndividuals may bring medicine into the country for their personal use. Up to three months' supply of a prescription item can be brought into the country by a visitor and 12 months' supply by a resident if they can produce a doctor's letter or a copy of the original prescription.\u201dCan you carry methadone on a plane?
The medication has to be carried in the original container in which it was dispensed. Travellers must carry with them a letter (in English) from their prescribing physician/clinic confirmed by the local health authority responsible for such matters at the place of the physician's office/clinic.What prescription drugs are not allowed in Dubai?
Medications Prohibited from being brought into the UAE- 123 COLD Tablets, Codeine phosphate 8mg, Acetaminophen 325mg,Cafeine 30mg,Carbinoxamine maleate 3.06mg,Phenylephrine 5mg, Tablets.
- ABILIFY 10mg, Aripiprazole 10mg, Tablets.
- ABILIFY 15mg, Aripiprazole 15mg, Tablets.
- ABILIFY 20mg, Aripiprazole 20mg, Tablets.
How to get free UAE 🇦🇪 transit visa 48hrs \u0026 96hrs | Travel with Ak #Uaetransitvisa #UaeVisa
More answers regarding transit in Dubai with prescribed methadone
Answer 2
Methadone is considered a controlled narcotic in the UAE, and the relevant rules say:
Transit travelers have to comply with the required procedures when entering and leaving the UAE
"Prior approval from the Registration and Drug Control Department of the Ministry of Health" is required, even if you're just transiting. There is a security check for transit passengers, and while they're mainly looking for weapons and other threats to aviation security if you are just transiting and not going through immigration and customs, I wouldn't want to risk prison in Dubai.
The process to obtain that approval can be found on the Ministry's website.
As Giorgio notes, you'll need to comply with the relevant requirements for Thailand too.
Sources: Stack Exchange - This article follows the attribution requirements of Stack Exchange and is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.
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