UAE Now Requires Approval for Entering with Medication
Sharon Hsu October 24, 2018
The United Arab Emirates’ Ministry of Health and Prevention announced last Monday, October 15, that travelers and residents entering the country will now need to obtain electronic pre-approval to bring any personal medications with them. MoHaP says the move is intended to safeguard the nation’s public health.
Travelers to the United Arab Emirates should be advised of a new policy under which they must seek pre-approval to bring any personal medications into the country.
The UAE’s Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHaP) announced last week that they will be requiring increased supervision of medicines brought in by travelers and residents alike at the nation’s various ports of entry. The guidelines, available from the MoHaP website, includes a long list of permitted and prohibited drugs. Travelers will need to show proof of prescription to obtain the electronic pre-approval, and depending on the medication, may enter with a one to three month supply.
MoHaP also cautions travelers to be aware that even if the medicine they carry is legal in their home country, it can still be subject to search and seizure by UAE customs if it falls under MoHaP’s categorization as a prohibited drug.
Assistant Undersecretary for Medical Practices and Licenses Dr. Amin Hussain Al Amiri signed off on the new guidelines. He provided further clarification to Gulf News regarding the rules, stating, “In order to carry personal medication, both control and regular medication, it is now mandatory for all passengers entering UAE to get this prior approval from the ministry to carry their prescription-based medication.” He also sought to allay anxieties about punishment should travelers make mistakes during this roll-out period. “There is no punitive action. If it is a small quantity of non-narcotic medication, the authorities will decide if they want to allow. In case of other kinds of control medication it will be seized at the port of entry without prior approval.”
In the meantime, travelers are encouraged to check with their home embassies, which have been briefed on the new procedures, if they are planning to visit the UAE and need to bring medication with them.
[Photo: Shutterstock]
Does this apply to transit only passengers?
@toomuch You ask what is this really about? I suspect the answer is in the sentence; "Majority of medicines which are used worldwide are available in community pharmacies and hospitals in the UAE."
I frequently stop in Dubai while traveling through. This sounds far too cumbersome for someone at my age carrying 4-5 prescription medications. What is this really about?
Thats one place I will never visit!
Here is the real bottom line they want you to go to their website register then submit all the medications your taking by prescription along with a Dr's note, you would have to be out of your mind to go through all this. FACT we had just booked EK returning from a trip to Cairo though DXB spending a few days there as we have always had fun there along with some friends that moved there for business. FACT we just canceled now London will get our left over money !!