Go Back  British Expats > Living & Moving Abroad > Middle East
Reload this Page >

Bringing drugs into Saudi

Bringing drugs into Saudi

Old Aug 28th 2022, 11:33 am
  #1  
Forum Regular
Thread Starter
 
Joined: May 2022
Posts: 90
Evilbungle is an unknown quantity at this point
Default Bringing drugs into Saudi

OK so the title is a bit of click bait but I am just after a bit of information. Will be heading across in a few weeks and looking on line it says that you must keep your prescription with your drugs (which makes sense.) But what I wanted to check is if this is the same for all drugs - I.e. paracetamol or other non-prescription medicine. Would you need a prescription for these (which I don't have as I got them at Tesco.) Likewise indigestion medicine (like Gaviscon etc...) just want to work out if this is something we can bring with us or need to throw out.
Evilbungle is offline  
Old Aug 28th 2022, 6:53 pm
  #2  
BE Enthusiast
 
Joined: Jan 2017
Location: Dubai
Posts: 846
UKMS has a reputation beyond reputeUKMS has a reputation beyond reputeUKMS has a reputation beyond reputeUKMS has a reputation beyond reputeUKMS has a reputation beyond reputeUKMS has a reputation beyond reputeUKMS has a reputation beyond reputeUKMS has a reputation beyond reputeUKMS has a reputation beyond reputeUKMS has a reputation beyond reputeUKMS has a reputation beyond repute
Default Re: Bringing drugs into Saudi

Originally Posted by Evilbungle
OK so the title is a bit of click bait but I am just after a bit of information. Will be heading across in a few weeks and looking on line it says that you must keep your prescription with your drugs (which makes sense.) But what I wanted to check is if this is the same for all drugs - I.e. paracetamol or other non-prescription medicine. Would you need a prescription for these (which I don't have as I got them at Tesco.) Likewise indigestion medicine (like Gaviscon etc...) just want to work out if this is something we can bring with us or need to throw out.
You can take them in sensible quantity, make sure you leave them in their original packaging and don’t decant them into a container. This applies to paracetamol and Gaviscon that you’ve asked about but for anything else don’t assume it’s ok just because it’s non prescription in the UK.
UKMS is offline  
Old Aug 29th 2022, 10:08 am
  #3  
BE Enthusiast
 
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 513
tdrinker has a reputation beyond reputetdrinker has a reputation beyond reputetdrinker has a reputation beyond reputetdrinker has a reputation beyond reputetdrinker has a reputation beyond reputetdrinker has a reputation beyond reputetdrinker has a reputation beyond reputetdrinker has a reputation beyond reputetdrinker has a reputation beyond reputetdrinker has a reputation beyond reputetdrinker has a reputation beyond repute
Default Re: Bringing drugs into Saudi

Have a look here:

http://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-adv...-arabia/health

You might be able able to find Saudi Customs laws with an online search.

Absolutely don't assume that something available over the counter / without a prescription can be imported without a prescription. Or necessarily that something even with a prescription can be imported.
tdrinker is offline  
Old Aug 29th 2022, 11:58 am
  #4  
 
nonthaburi's Avatar
 
Joined: Feb 2010
Location: Buraydah , Saudi Arabia
Posts: 2,863
nonthaburi has a reputation beyond reputenonthaburi has a reputation beyond reputenonthaburi has a reputation beyond reputenonthaburi has a reputation beyond reputenonthaburi has a reputation beyond reputenonthaburi has a reputation beyond reputenonthaburi has a reputation beyond reputenonthaburi has a reputation beyond reputenonthaburi has a reputation beyond reputenonthaburi has a reputation beyond reputenonthaburi has a reputation beyond repute
Default Re: Bringing drugs into Saudi

The stuff you ask about is widely available at any pharmacy over the counter without any prescription.

Gaviscon and para are everywhere. You can get Nexium over the counter too without a prescription if that helps, ditto anti-depressants like sertraline etc, all your Viagra and related generics etc.

But as someone else said, keep things in original packaging and you should be fine.

I got pulled a few years back at Heathrow with a kilo of home made fudge wrapped in tin foil. The guy thought he'd struck gold!
nonthaburi is offline  
Old Aug 30th 2022, 10:14 am
  #5  
Forum Regular
Thread Starter
 
Joined: May 2022
Posts: 90
Evilbungle is an unknown quantity at this point
Default Re: Bringing drugs into Saudi

Originally Posted by nonthaburi

I got pulled a few years back at Heathrow with a kilo of home made fudge wrapped in tin foil. The guy thought he'd struck gold!
LOL, I would have loved to have seen that.
Evilbungle is offline  
Old Aug 30th 2022, 10:19 am
  #6  
Forum Regular
Thread Starter
 
Joined: May 2022
Posts: 90
Evilbungle is an unknown quantity at this point
Default Re: Bringing drugs into Saudi

Originally Posted by tdrinker
Have a look here:

http://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-adv...-arabia/health

You might be able able to find Saudi Customs laws with an online search.

Absolutely don't assume that something available over the counter / without a prescription can be imported without a prescription. Or necessarily that something even with a prescription can be imported.
Thanks, Whenever i have searched there seems to be lots of details of how to get prescription drugs but nothing about "basic" medicine.

All I have is a few packets of Paracetamol, Some Lemsips and some Gaviscon. Just seems like a massive waste to throw it away if it is ok to travel with. But maybe it is better to be safe than sorry.
Evilbungle is offline  

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.