Important guide for lawfully carrying prescription or controlled drugs into the United Arab Emirates
Importing Controlled Medicines in the UAE: A Guide for Residents and Visitors
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has strict regulations regarding the import of controlled medicines, including narcotics, psychotropics, and certain semi-controlled substances. Here's a comprehensive guide on how to apply for approval to import these medicines.
Controlled Medicines List
The UAE Ministry of Health and Prevention (MOHAP) maintains a detailed list of controlled medicines, with over 200 specific medicines categorized by their regulation status. This list, which can be found on the MOHAP website, is crucial for understanding what medicines require prior authorization.
Applying for Approval: Residents
For UAE residents, particularly those above the legal age, the process involves submitting an application through the MOHAP electronic system for approval to import their medicines for personal use. Minors, on the other hand, require their guardian to apply via the electronic system.
Applying for Approval: Visitors and Travellers
For visitors and travellers, it is optional but recommended to obtain prior electronic approval if bringing narcotic or psychotropic medicines. Travellers may carry controlled medicines in quantities sufficient for their personal use for up to three months. Without prior approval, travellers must declare these medicines with prescription and medical reports upon arrival at UAE ports.
Prescription Requirements
The prescription must include the patient’s full name, medicine name with dose and dosage form, treatment duration, date of issuance, and physician’s name.
Service Details
The application process is free and mainly completed instantly via the MOHAP website or MOHAP smart app. Documents must be authenticated with the UAE PASS Digital Seal if applicable. Transit passengers not leaving the UAE ports are not required to obtain prior approval but should carry prescriptions for any controlled substances.
Summary Table
| Aspect | Details | |-----------------------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | List of controlled medicines| Over 200 medicines; narcotics, psychotropics, some semi-controlled drugs | | Application for residents | Submit electronically via MOHAP system; guardian applies for minors | | Application for visitors | Optional electronic approval; declare at port if not obtained | | Allowed quantity | Personal use, up to 3 months’ supply | | Documentation needed | Prescription with full details as above | | Service fees | Free | | Application channels | MOHAP website and MOHAP smart app |
For comprehensive and periodically updated information, refer directly to the MOHAP electronic service for importing medicines for personal use. If you need specific medicine names on the controlled list or more application details, please visit the MOHAP website.
- Travelers to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) should be aware of the strict regulations concerning the import of controlled medicines.
- The UAE Ministry of Health and Prevention (MOHAP) maintains a comprehensive list of controlled medicines on its website.
- For UAE residents, the process of applying for approval to import medicines for personal use involves submitting an application electronically through the MOHAP system.
- Minors in the UAE require their guardian to apply for permission to import medicines via the MOHAP electronic system.
- It is recommended for visitors and travelers to obtain prior electronic approval for importing narcotic or psychotropic medicines, although it is optional.
- Travelers may carry controlled medicines for up to three months, but without prior approval, they must declare these medicines with corresponding prescriptions and medical reports upon arrival at UAE ports.
- The prescription for controlled medicines should include the patient’s full name, medicine name with dose and dosage form, treatment duration, date of issuance, and the physician’s name.
- The application process through the MOHAP system is free and can be completed instantaneously via the MOHAP website or smart app.
- Transit passengers who do not leave the UAE ports are not required to obtain prior approval for carrying controlled substances, but they should still have the prescriptions with them.
- For detailed and updated information on the list of controlled medicines and the application process, refer directly to the MOHAP electronic service for importing medicines for personal use.
- If you need specific medicine names on the controlled list or more detailed application information, please visit the MOHAP website for further resources.
- It is essential to consider health and wellness, as well as personal finance when traveling or residing in the UAE, making it a vital aspect of lifestyle and business.
