Did you pack any of these medications? If so, you’d better watch out. You just might find yourself trying to call a bondsman…
Traveling can be stressful. You will have to grab everything you need, plan ahead, and prepare for any mishaps that could arise. One thing that many people forget would be their medication. It can feel like you need a degree to pack for your trip. However, pretty soon, you might need a law degree when you go on your trip because you just might find yourself in a foreign jail.
Of course, you might not even think twice about taking painkillers, cough medicine, or sleeping pills with you on your next trip, but you had better think twice or you might have to call an attorney. Additionally, if you’re traveling to a different country, you will need to be aware of the local drug laws. Not every foreign country is Amsterdam. Not by a long shot.
One simple example of this would be visiting the United Arab Emirates. If you have codeine or Tramadol in your luggage, you just might have a problem. These drugs are totally illegal in the UAE and they have resulted in vacationers being thrown in jail instead of being at tourist spots.
Japan has a ban on the ingredient pseudoephedrine, so that means no Sudafed or Vicks when you are in their country.
If you are contending with insomnia, you might want to skip going to Singapore. They have a ban on sleeping pills and anti-anxiety pills, so you would be suffering throughout your trip. Do you get migraines or back pain often? Well, be aware that Singapore can get pretty strict about painkillers as well.
If you have a prescription for ADHD, you might want to skip going to Indonesia. It might result in your medication being confiscated at the very least.
Besides the countries that totally ban certain prescription drugs, there are others that have restrictions. For example, if you are planning on going to China, you will need a doctor’s note for any medication. In Qatar, you will need to get a prescription for any over-the-counter prescriptions, and in Costa Rica, you shouldn’t bring more medication than what you need.
All told, the best thing for you to do before you go to a foreign country is to discuss it with your pharmacist. Even if they do not know the laws, they can point you in the right direction to online resources that do have that information.