Bringing Prescription meds through airport

[mancman]

Most probably covered before but I am returning to Thailand for a 30 day trip...Having lived and worked in Thailand off and on for a number of years and brought my prescription meds through with no problems I am a little concerned this time as things seemed to have tightened up in many ways there. I believe they are scanning hand luggage now - never happened before to me

I currently have a prescription for Diazepam and an antidepressant. I have a letter from my doctor and the prescription. I know there is a form that is required for the Diazepam but it takes time to process and I may be travelling before it would be returned to me. I may be paranoid but knowing the way things work out there  filling  this form in could be counterproductive.

Any thoughts on this would be much appreciated.

 

[KhunBENQ]

Similar questions have been discussed in the Health, Body and Medicine forum.

Expect better response there.

 

Moved.

[mancman]

THanks for the reply will have a look

[Sheryl]

The requirement for a permit in advance pertains only to scheduled narcotics.

 

For scheduled pyschotropics (which includes diazepam) the requirement is:

 

"Medications containing psychotropic substances of
categories 2, 3, and 4
According to the Psychotropic Substances Act B.E. 2518 (1975),

 

Travellers to Thailand under treatment are allowed to transport medications containing psychotropic substances of Categories 2, 3, and 4 for personal treatment in a quantity not exceeding 30 days of prescribed usage when accompanied by a certificate/medical prescription from the prescribing physician. The certificate/medical prescription from the prescribing physician must indicate:
 the name and address of the patient
 the identified medical condition
 the name of the medications and the reason that those medications were prescribed for the patient's treatment
 the posology and total amount of medications prescribed
 the name, address, and license number of the prescribing physician
The quantity of the medications carried into Thailand must not exceed 30 days of prescribed usage. The permit from Thai FDA is not required....

 

Those travellers carrying all other medications into Thailand (including medications containing psychotropic substances of Categories 2, 3, and 4) do not have to declare their medications at the Customs Dept. Red Channel if the medication is for personal treatment in a quantity not exceeding 30 days of prescribed usage and accompanied by a certificate/medical prescription from the prescribing physician. Those medications are then considered personal belongings. The prescription/certificate should be kept with the traveller throughout their stay in Thailand."

 

Source: "Guidance for Travellers to Thailand under Treatment Carrying Personal Medications Containing Narcotic Drugs/Psychotropic Substances into Thailand" previously on the Thai FDA website, link no longer works but no new guidance issued so AFAIK this still applies.

 

Many antidepressents do not  even require a prescription in Thailand, while others are included in the pyschotropic. Diazepam is categorized as psychotropic category 2.

 

So as long as you have a prescription and preferrably also a short letter/certificate from your doctor, you are fine. The doctor's letter is advisable in any case as should you for any reason need a refill while in Thailand it will facilitate getting a local script.

[mancman]

Many thanks Sheryl....Its kind of what I thought and have been in and out of Thailand with my meds for years without any hassle. I have a written letter from my doctor and prescription. I would never take more than my prescribed dose into to Thailand, it just isn't worth the aggravation. Though I'm still wondering if I should go through the green (nothing to declare) because I've never declared them before. Sometimes I wonder if by doing the right thing I'm setting myself up for some needless hassle having spent a lot of time in Thailand.

[Sheryl]

Please see above: "Those travellers carrying all other medications into Thailand (including medications containing psychotropic substances of Categories 2, 3, and 4) do not have to declare their medications at the Customs Dept. Red Channel if the medication is for personal treatment in a quantity not exceeding 30 days "

 

You are not required or expected to declare diazepam or anti-depressents, only narcotics.

[KhunBENQ]

Just in case: what airline/flight do you use?

At least one Mid Eastern airport is know to hassle/arrest even transit passengers on certain medications in hand luggage.

[mancman]

Thanks for your answers....I've been through so many times with months worth of meds because I lived there....just being over cautious (never a bad thing.) I usually fly Emerites if I can....Never had a problem with Dubai but I have heard some of these UAE countries customs have caused people difficulties with simple worldwide meds....

Thanks for your time for your replies. Much appreciated.