Travelling to Abu Dhabi with medication

[Discoshoes]

Have a last minute chance to join dh on a trip to Abu Dhabi early next week.
I understand all medicines have to be declared and be accompanied by a copy of the prescription and some medicines also require a GP letter.
I'm on prescription Levothyroxine and Laxido.

I cannot find either of my medications listed on the UAE Ministry of Health (MOH)website but reading through still think ALL meds should be declared. I have emailed the MOH for clarification buy reply says 5 working days for a reply which is too late for me. Other MOH info confuses me by implying pres eiprion only may suffice.

I requested a letter from my GP last Monday (first day i knee of trip) anyway and was willing to pay the £45 for it but my surgery has said 8 working days was too short notice, so I cannot get a letter.

Anyone travelled with Levothyroxine before to Abu Dhabi and able to advise?

I also understand you can buy Levothyroxine over the counter in Dubai, is this the same in Abu Dhabi? As another option is to not travel with any and buy some there.

This link www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/united-arab-emirates/entry-requirements under the section Medication gives some more information.

Would it be in your checked luggage or hand baggage? Would there be a large amount of it?

Hand luggage is screened on arrival at both airports but I've never seen anyone pulled up for medicine in their hand luggage. It mainly seems to be camera equipment or food items.

Does your DH know anyone there who may be able to offer advice as to whether you can buy Levothyroxine in Abu Dhabi. I'm guessing you would be able to if it's possible in Dubai.

Ideally all medication should be kept in your hand luggage, in case it goes missing. Do you have a copy of your prescriptions? You should take that if you do.

Im just back from Dubai, was also worried bout this. I took my meds in the labelled pharmacy bag and took my repeat prescription. My tablets werent even looked at.

Thank you for replies.

No DH does not know anyone there yet.

I've read and 're read that link Attilia and been through the UAE Ministry of Health website but still not 100%.

I'm pretty sure it's not a controlled drug as I can't find it on the list but then the list isn't exhaustive!

TheCanyon - Did you travel with Levothyroxine?

DH had to do similar and couldn’t get into the Gp so went to a private GP service and they wrote him a letter. I don’t know what your medicines are or what they are for but with his they were very standard for a very common condition and the drugs don’t have any recreational use or street value etc

Ps also it may be the case that he didn’t need it technically for Abu Dhabi but he travelled regularly in the Middle East to various Arab countries at that time so was worth having. I don’t recall him saying he was ever asked to show the letter.

I just looked this up last week for a friend who arrived today as I live in the UAE! The process is to fill in an online form and you get online permission - go to the UAE ministry of health website (there may be a link from the FCO website?). I don’t need think you need to declare anything on arrival - but if asked then show the confirmation received from the MOJ. I understand it takes at most 24 hours - the UAE is very quick and good with online stuff - so don’t worry.

I think the form can be accessed via:

www.mohap.gov.uea

Sorry should add the above it is an optional service - but gives piece of mind and let’s you find out it’s not a banned medicine in the uae.

Do NOT bring more medicine than you need (so no more than 30 days supply - maximum time you will be allowed in the country)

Thanks all for your replies especially Heidivodca. I have looked into that online form and reports of people attempting to complete it saying apparently it asks for GP.letter, batch numbers etc. What was your experience of completing it?

I have a repeat prescription and a mini medical report recently signed by GP.

Does anyone know what the GP letter actually has to say?

BinaryStar - do you know what your husbands letter actually says? I've just emailed a local private GP so thanks for that suggestion.

Sorry I don’t know - but friend has arrived (not meeting up until tomorrow) and I know she had no issues re her meds!

When DH arrived to join me last year (before the online form was an option) he just had same as you on him - repeat prescription etc. (but he wasn’t asked for any documents on arrival)

Ok. Thank you Heidivodca. Enjoy catching up with your friend tomorrow.

Op I think the letter just said something like

[name] has been diagnosed with [common medical condition that doesn’t go away] and has been prescribed [medicine one, how often, dosage] and [medicine two, how often, dosage]

But tbh if the medical report refers to your conditions, that you have been prescribed these medicines as a result and why then that is basically the same?

Thanks BinaryStar.

I know. I feel the same about the medical report but just trying to cover all bases.

Hi - friend just brought her meds with prescription and short report from the GP - and straight through no issues - enjoy the UAE (friend is loving it!)