I will be travelling all over SE Asia, and will have some
prescription drugs on me. How strict are customs, in
general, on knowing exactly what each drug is used for? Is
it okay for them just to be in a labeled bottle, or do they
take heed of what the drugs treat?
The reason I ask is that a treatment I take is the same
treatment that is commonly used to treat a nasty STD!! I
don't want to be refused entry to a country on the grounds
of strong suspicion of having a disease I don't have!
Is it worth the risk, or am I better off trying to cope
without the prescription?
Thank you.
Alison
[There are 5 posts - the latest was added on Tue 25 May, 18:39]
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you should be ok if you take a copy of the
prescription but make sure its legible. the only
trouble you may get could be somwhere like Vietnam
where any excuse may be taken to make a fast buck!
by and large asian customs are not interested in normal
travellers - in five years i have filled four passports
with asian entry stamps and never once been stopped at
customs except when carrying work related spares or
similar stuff. you are unlikely to even be pulled. the
prescription copy is definitely the right answer. don't
bring masses of stuff with you. if thailand is on your
itinerary then you can top up over the counter no questions
asked. philippines the same. singapore and malaysia are
stricter.
.
my last arrival at bangkok confirmed my old theory that
customs officers everywhere in asia are drawn to brown
cardboard boxes with rope around them. there were two lots
of boxes getting the once over while all us bags and
suitcases walked through the green channel.
I've travelled with prescriptions and never really had a
problem, but have always carried them in their original
container with the label, etc. I did travel to Central
Asia, through several republics, with some very serious
prescriptions and I carried a letter from my physician on
his hospital letterhead which was an authorization and
verification that he had prescribed these drugs for me. I
never needed it, but had it if questioned. By the way, I
typed it up and had my doctor sign it, he only had to print
it out on letterhead and sign it. Good luck.
don't worry for a minute.
"Lizzy" (above) implies that Vnese custom officer may squeeze dollars from you. I can't say it'll
NEVER happen, but I've been living in VN for 4,5 years, and all together, my buddies and I have
together more than one thousand entries/exits and NONE OF US has been harassed or in any way
messed with by the officials at Vnese airports.
And none has ever been questioned when bringing out/in medicine. But, as suggested above, do
bring the prescriptions if it makes you feel more relaxed.
----------------------
You think you were worried. I take a prescription medication
that is an amphetamine. I brought a letter from my GP and a
copy of my prescription but didn't declare them on entry
through Bangkok airport. No-one checked my bag though and I
was waved through.