Taking prescription Medicine back to Europe (personal use)

[MJCM]

I have to go for approx 1-2 months back to my Home Country. Now I want to take (what is over there) prescription medicine but here OTC Medicine with me.

 

The Medicine (which the Doctor said I have to take and I then afterwards bought myself in a Pharmacy as it's OTC medicine here) I use is

 

Trilipix 135 mg

Xatral XL 10 mg

 

What is the best way to prevent overzealous customs agents, at my Home Countries Airport confiscate my medicine?

 

TiA

 

Ps: It will be only a 2 month supply which I am going to bring with me so 2 packs each and thus 4 packs in total.

 

Edit: Question 2: And I fly through Dubai airport will that be a problem with that medicine. I got the advice to put it in my checked luggage and not in my carry-on.

Edited February 27, 2023 by MJCM

[theoldgit]

It depends what country you're flying to, I imagine different countries have different rules.

These are the requirements for the UK https://www.gov.uk/travelling-controlled-drugs

 

I take prescribed drugs for a heart condition, my doctor the hospital I use has give given me a summary of the drugs prescribed, even though, at his suggetion, I buy OTC from a local pharmacy. 

[MJCM]

1 minute ago, theoldgit said:

It depends what country you're flying to, I imagine different countries have different rules.

These are the requirements for the UK https://www.gov.uk/travelling-controlled-drugs

 

I take prescribed drugs for a heart condition, my doctor the hospital I use has give given me a summary of the drugs prescribed, even though, at his suggetion, I buy OTC from a local pharmacy. 

I am flying to the Netherlands.

 

I once got stopped at that Airport by a Customs agent and he saw my 2nd pair of glasses and started about VAT etc etc etc and when I said "I wear glasses all time so I need a spare pair and they were bought in Holland (which was true)" he reluctantly let me through, since then I am a bit paranoid.

 

Yeah I could go and see the Doctors (2 of them, one for each medicine) but my next appointment is approx 6 months away and the Docs are not that close to me. One is in Bangkok one is in Korat.

 

But I guess that is the only option if I don't want to for that ..... customs agent take away my medicine upon arrival

[Shannoblic]

MJCM - I have done this several times.  For example, I am going to UK for a month in May and need a one month supply of the drugs I use here which will be quite a few.  One point is whether the tablets are 'loose' [as in a bottle] or in a 'pop pack'.  The pop packs attract much less attention.

 

Also - you may consider [just for this trip] going to a clinic and getting a prescription for a two month supply of the drugs.  This normally only costs 100 baht.  This is what I do.

 

Hope this helps.

[MJCM]

3 minutes ago, Shannoblic said:

Also - you may consider [just for this trip] going to a clinic and getting a prescription for a two month supply of the drugs.  This normally only costs 100 baht.  This is what I do.

 

Thx, but will a clinic give me a prescription for drugs they did not give me? But worth a try.

 

4 minutes ago, Shannoblic said:

One point is whether the tablets are 'loose' [as in a bottle] or in a 'pop pack'.  The pop packs attract much less attention.

They will be in unopened packs and the medicine is in a "pop pack" thus not in bottles.

 

5 minutes ago, Shannoblic said:

Hope this helps.

Certainly does

 

Thx

[Sheryl]

These medications are not controlled substances in the UAE but they are prescription only, I wasd able to verify that. Same I assume in the Netherlands.

 

I am unable to get clarity on rules for bringing non-controlled, but prescription-only, medications into the UAE. Every link refers only to controlled drugs which require a permit. I assume that prescription only meds  do nto require a permit to bring in but you should have proof of prescription in some form.

 

For the Netherlands all I can find is:

 

"You are only allowed to bring in medicines for your own use. Sometimes we ask for proof that the medication is for yourself "

https://www.belastingdienst.nl/wps/wcm/connect/bldcontenten/belastingdienst/individuals/abroad_and_customs/restricted_prohibited_import_export/medicines1/medicines

 

I think for both countries, having with you a medical certificate signed by a doctor that mentions these 2 drugs as prescribed should suffice.  Since Thailand does nto really have a drug prescription system as such, that would be easier to get. Just request a medical certificate for the visit where doctor advised you to takew these 2 medications and make sure it mentions this.

[MJCM]

Update:

 

1 of the Doc letters (for Trilipix) done.

 

I had an appointment yesterday afternoon with a different doc in the same hospital as the Doc who said I have to take Trilipix, and we just walked into his department and asked if we could get that letter.

 

Fortunately the Doc was still around because it was late afternoon already and he wrote me the letter and signed it ????

 

So 1 letter down another to go but that is a Hospital in BKK

[MJCM]

Update

 

2nd letter done

 

Went to Bumrungrad yesterday for the appointment with the Doc that prescribed me the Xatral.

 

No problem giving me the letter.

 

Please note, in Bumrungrad you should give the letter to the Cashier when paying as they will stamp it and not the Doc, he will sign it only..