How to bring prescription or controlled medicines into the UAE legally

Dubai: If you are carrying controlled medication into the UAE, you must first apply for approval through the Ministry of Health and Prevention (MOHAP) website.

Before starting the application, check with your doctor to confirm whether your prescribed medication is classified as controlled. You must also have a prescription for the quantity you are bringing, which cannot exceed a three-month supply.

Before leaving for the airport, travellers to the UAE are strongly advised to familiarise themselves with the medications that are allowed or prohibited in the country. If you are considering taking medications or other drugs into the UAE, contact the nearest UAE Embassy or Consulate for guidance.

What are ‘controlled medicines’ in the UAE?

According to u.ae, the country’s official information portal, controlled drugs are those that can lead to addiction and have the potential for abuse if not used responsibly. Narcotic and psychotropic drugs - classified as Controlled Drug Class A (CDa), fall under this category. These medicines are administered to patients with acute and chronic diseases in line with modern medical practice and are mostly given to in-patients. Controlled Drug Class B (CDb) medicines are considered semi-controlled.

Narcotic, psychotropic, and other controlled drugs or medicines in Class A or B are not freely available in the UAE, nor can they be freely imported. They are categorised as controlled or restricted items.

On the official MOHAP website, via this link - mohap.gov.ae/en/w/issue-of-permit-to-import-medicines-for-personal-use , scroll down to the resources section and click on ‘Controlled or Semi-Controlled Medicines’. This document lists over 200 controlled medicines - indicating which ones can be brought into the UAE with a permit and which are strictly prohibited.

Who should apply?

This service allows users to import personal medicine, whether they are UAE citizens or travellers visiting the country. It applies to two groups:

1. Travellers visiting the UAE - This service is optional for travellers who wish to obtain electronic approval. Those coming to the country are allowed to bring narcotic and psychotropic (controlled) medications with them, within a quantity that does not exceed the patient’s need for a maximum of three months.

2. UAE residents - This service is also available for residents who wish to import narcotic and controlled medicines through the electronic system to obtain approval (for those over the legal age). If the patient is under the legal age, the guardian must submit the application through the electronic system.

Required documents

1. Prescription (a doctor’s order for medicine)

   • Must include the patient’s full name, medicine name with dose, dosage form, duration of treatment, date of issuance, and the name of the physician.

   • Must be issued within the last three months and recognised/stamped by the healthcare facility where the patient is receiving follow-up care.

2. Medical Report (a comprehensive report covering a person’s clinical history)

   • Must include the patient’s full name, diagnosis (medical condition), treatment plan (medicine name, dose, dosage form, and duration of treatment), date of issuance, and the name of the physician.

   • Must be issued within the last year and recognised/stamped by the healthcare facility where the patient is receiving follow-up care.

UAE residents must have a valid Emirates ID and visitors, a valid passport.

How to apply

1. Access the MOHAP service page - Visit this link from the MOHAP website - mohap.gov.ae/en/w/issue-of-permit-to-import-medicines-for-personal-use and click ‘Start Service’.

2. Log in or create an account - If you already have an account, log in using your credentials or UAE Pass. Visitors must create an account on the login page. Once registered, an activation link will be sent to your email. Click the link to activate your account, then log in.

3. Find the service - After logging in, go to Services and search for ‘Issue of Permit to Import Medicines for Personal Use’. You can also scroll down to locate it manually. Click ‘Start Service’ to proceed.

4. Begin the application - Fill in the required details:

• Country you are coming from

• Duration of stay in the UAE

• Then, click 'Add Medical Product'.

5. Enter medicine information - Provide the following details:

• Medicine name

• Strength

• Generic name/active ingredient

• Number of imported packs

• Pack size

• Unit and total quantity

• Any additional details (optional)

  Click Add once completed.

6. Upload required documents - Click ‘Attachments’ and upload:

• A valid prescription

• Medical report (as per the required documents list)

7. Review your application - Click ‘Review’ to verify the information entered. If there are errors, click Edit to make corrections. If all details are correct, read and accept the terms and conditions.

8. Submit the Application - Once you accept the terms, the ‘Submit’ button will be active. Click Submit to send your application. A green pop-up will confirm that it has been submitted.

9. Track your application - Any pending applications can be viewed on the ‘Dashboard’ of the MOHAP website.

10. Approval and notification - After review, a MOHAP officer will issue an approval certificate for the selected medicine type. You will be notified via SMS or email once the certificate is issued.

View and print the certificate - To access your certificate:

• Click on the ‘Application Number’ in the All Applications screen – this will redirect you to the Submitted Application screen.

• Select the ‘Certificate’ tab.

• Click the Attachment to open the certificate as a PDF.

• Print the PDF.

The permit is issued for free.

According to MOHAP, if prior approval has not been obtained, travellers must declare their narcotic and controlled medicines upon arrival at the country’s ports, along with the prescription and medical report.

Transit travellers (who will not leave the country’s ports) are not required to obtain prior approval to carry narcotic and controlled medicines; however, it is recommended that they carry the medicines with the patient’s prescription.