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E-approval now required for bringing personal medicines to UAE

For overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) who need to bring with them personal medicines, have to get an online permit first, as the Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHAP) announced that visitors, expats as well as transit passengers will now be required to secure an electronic approval form when bringing personal medicines purchased outside the UAE.

The e-form can be downloaded on MoHAP’s website www.mohap.gov.ae or their mobile app .

Pharmacy Law No. 4 of 1983 and Narcotics Law No. 14 of 1995 also states that some controlled or psychotropic medicines and narcotics, even though they are prescribed and/or easily available in countries outside UAE, require permission from the Ministry of Health.

Carriers have to create a profile on the on the ministry’s website and upload the necessary documents such as:

  • A valid medical prescription; if the original of the prescription is retained in the pharmacy that dispensed the preparation, the traveler should keep an attested copy of the prescription
  • Authenticated certificate and/or permit, from the health authority of the country of departure, confirming his/her legal authority to possess, for personal use, medical preparations mentioned therein
  • A copy of passport

Once submitted, the ministry will review and decide on the request for one working day. The medicines will be checked at the country’s entry ports by a ministry inspector with the cooperation of customs. Disapproved medicines will be seized at the airport.

The amount of medicine to be allowed should also not exceed dosage for 3 months for regular or prescription only medicine and 30 days for controlled medicine, as per the guidelines issued by the Ministry of Health.

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