Permitted Prescriptions/Drugs While Entering the UAE

Bringing medication into the UAE

All travelers to the UAE must comply with local laws and regulations regarding medications that can and cannot be brought into the country. Travelers must carry the prescription for the quantity of the medicine that they are bringing into the UAE.

In addition, all travelers should also check with their doctor to confirm if their prescribed medication is controlled or not, and follow instructions regarding allowed quantities and required documentation.

All Travelers carrying controlled medication into the UAE must apply for approval through the Ministry of Health (MoH) website. This should be completed before making the trip.

All other medication (prescription for uncontrolled medication and over-the-counter medication) does not need prior approval from MoH.

See below for more information on controlled medicines. For more details please visit the Ministry of Health and Prevention website.

Controlled medicines

The UAE is a signatory to several international conventions on narcotic and psychotropic substances. The conventions aim to:

  • Make narcotic and psychotropic substances available only for medical and scientific purposes
  • Prevent their diversion into illicit channels
  • Eliminate drug trafficking and abuse.

Controlled drugs are those that, if not used responsibly, can lead to addiction and have the potential to be abused by individuals.

Narcotic and psychotropic (controlled drug - Class A or CDa) drugs are controlled.

Controlled medicines are administered to patients of acute and chronic diseases in accordance with modern medical practice. They are mostly administered to in-patients.

Controlled drug - Class B (CDb) are semi-controlled.

Majority of medicines which are used worldwide are available in community pharmacies and hospitals in the UAE.

However, narcotic, psychotropic and other controlled drugs/medicines of class A or B are neither freely available in the UAE, nor can they be freely imported into the country. They fall under the controlled/restricted items' category.

Please contact the nearest Embassy or Consulate of the United Arab Emirates for advice if you are considering taking medications or other drugs into the UAE.

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