Travelling with HIV medication into Thailand

[kinyara]

I am currently living in Thailand but am treated in the UK, where i am now visiting every 6 months for regular testing and also for my medication supply, the specialist unit have obviously been understanding in this respect as I do have to change the time spent in the UK regularly. I carry my prescription 6 boxes in my suitcase, the unoened boxes have my name, dosage, hospital details and date dispensed on each box. I also carry a photocopy of the prescription. I take 1 tablet of Truimeq per day, ( from the box I think this is also called Dolutegravir/Abacavir/Lamivudin ). 

 

For peace of mind my questions are :

1) Do I need a formal letter from my doctor saying I have an acute condition, or is the prescription printout copy enough

2) Do I need to declare my prescription at the red channel at Suvarnabumi airport or is this not a  requirement for HIV medication. I have my return ticket with departure date from which the quantity for personal use can be easily proved

3) Do they need to be in hand carry baggage or suitcase. As mentioned I've previously put them in my suitcase on the basis I don't particularly want to have a discussion of my medical condition with airport security staff, and I've felt there is more chance of that with hand carry.

 

If there are any other recommendations that I haven't thought of I'd appreciate the advice, maybe I've missed something important. Thanks in advance.

 

 

 

[manarak]

1- the prescription copy is enough

 

2- by law you are allowed to take a 30 day supply into Thailand.

 

3- no, can be in the suitcase. I carry around prescription medicine too and I have never been searched or asked anything.

 

to solve the 30 day problem, ask your doc if he can make a letter giving you a higher daily dose so as to compensate for longer duration of stay.

[kinyara]

Thanks for the reply manarak, I delved a bit further into the FDA website regarding the 30 day limit and wonder if that is without a permit, as I see you can apply for a Permission to Bring Medication approved document which can be shown to immigration If required. It requires length of stay, flight information, doctor’s details etc. I find it hard to believe that the number of older people coming in the high season from Europe with medical conditions dont legitimately bring medicine for longer than 30 days. Furthermore investigation required I think.

[Sheryl]

The permits are only for narcotics.

 

The 30 day rule applies to all medications but is not strictly enforced.  They do not count out number of tablets. Any quantity that lat a glance looks consistent with personal use is usually let through.

 

And, of course, in most cases they will not even check your bags. There is no need to declare this coming in.

 

Suitcase or hand luggage is up to you. But I would suggest you have minimum a weeks supply in your carry on in case suitcase gets lost/sent to wrong airport as occasionally happens.

 

 

 

 

[kinyara]

20 minutes ago, Sheryl said:

The permits are only for narcotics.

 

The 30 day rule applies to all medications but is not strictly enforced.  They do not count out number of tablets. Any quantity that lat a glance looks consistent with personal use is usually let through.

 

And, of course, in most cases they will not even check your bags. There is no need to declare this coming in.

 

Suitcase or hand luggage is up to you. But I would suggest you have minimum a weeks supply in your carry on in case suitcase gets lost/sent to wrong airport as occasionally happens.

 

 

 

 

Thanks Sheryl, still puts me in a slightly uneasy position now which through my own lack of knowledge hasn't bothered me in the past. Luckily I have a stock of 2 boxes in Thailand so would only need to bring in 3 this time, I will also get a doctors letter which I haven't brought previously to back up the prescription. Perhaps I need to consider going local now with my medication, albeit a different and cheaper regime after consultation with my UK specialist.