ULPT Bringing Prescription Medication to a Strict Middle Eastern Country. Looking for Advice

Posted by BigSteppawh@reddit | UnethicalLifeProTips | View on Reddit | 46 comments

Hey everyone,
I'm traveling to a Middle Eastern country for about 2 months and I rely on a prescription medication that I take twice a day, so I’ll need to bring around 180 pills. I’m legally prescribed the medication and I have the proper documentation (doctor's letter, prescription details, original packaging, etc.), but I’m nervous because I know some countries in that region are extremely strict with controlled substances, even when prescribed.

I cannot risk having the medication confiscated; I genuinely need it to function. Has anyone had experience traveling to this part of the world with necessary but controlled medication? Any tips on how to make the process smoother at customs or reduce the chance of issues? Some people say jsut to put it into a vitamin bottle with other pills.

Appreciate any insights or personal experiences. Thanks in advance!

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NorthRoseGold@reddit

I lectured in Dubai (esl) a couple times, for 6 weeks to 3 months each and chose to just drop the adderall. My psych gave me a non stim, and it was fine.

marlakarx@reddit

They’re on methadone and wouldn’t be able to actually function at all more than an hr past their dose

Which_Night_7341@reddit

My cousin took OTC codeine/aspirin/caffeine pills(30) to Turkey from Canada where they are and OTC drug. He was caught and sentenced to 12 years. He was released after 27 months and a $80,000 U.S. bribe.

Koumadin@reddit

deathwish. no. dont do it

RedApple655321@reddit

I've traveled to KSA many times. I'll just note that upon entry I've always been required to have my bags scanned. But they've never checked anything on my person. I honestly think the chances of getting caught are pretty low. But man oh man, if you get caught trying to sneak in that much of a controlled substance, you are fuuuucked.

BigSteppawh@reddit (OP)

what do u suggest? keep it on my carry on with all the right paperwork? or in my luggage tucked away in a zipper but with the paperwork in it too?

sapionatural@reddit

I live in Middle Earth and brought a whole vanity case full of prescription meds with me. Bring it in your hand luggage, with all the necessary documentation. At the aorport they'll ask you about it, so just be honest! It really shouldn't be a problem

Seriously, nothing unethical needed

Ok_Perception1131@reddit

If that particular med is illegal there, you would be foolish to go on this trip.

frank_the_tanq@reddit

Going to Saudi Arabia at all is foolish.

Going to a country where the police can abduct, rape and torture you is unwise.

Farty_mcSmarty@reddit

Wow, quite disappointed in all the responses here on UNethical life pro tips.

Here’s my tip: repost on r/opioids and you’ll be flooded with more helpful responses

Scragglymonk@reddit

Had my bags very carefully checked for 3 hours, they do not like nutmegs

AccomplishedIgit@reddit

Nutmegs??

It's apparently a gay sex drug loved by hairy bears, could have gone better if I had a bottle of whisky in the bag. Actually had a bottle of essential oils, one of which was the equivalent of a suitcase full of nutmegs.

I wanted it for the psychedelic properties

So you want to take narcotics in to the middle East Have lived in Saudi. They have the death penalty for that shit. Does not matter if legal at home, you will be sentenced and killed for it.

Literally he’s talking smuggling180 methadone pills into Saudi.

There is no way I would go there with opiates, yes things might have improved but not to that extent.

A quick look online that the op missed is getting an authorised form to import.

Timely_Bluebird4977@reddit

What country are you exactly traveling to?

Saudi Arabia

blame555@reddit

As an American that's been living in a middle eastern country for over a decade, I've never had a problem bringing in my meds. However, there are different laws and procedures for each country.

But I'd just being your meds and script and if asked, be open and show your proof.

Secondly, have you checked if that medicine is available in the country? You might be surprised that the medicine is already there.

Are your meds opiates though?

Skyblacker@reddit

That's my thought too. Anything in perscription bottles or even a pill organizer isn't going to get a second glance from security.

Dude do not smuggle 180 Methadone pills into Saudi Arabia.

hugifsachit@reddit

On adderall for years, but I got off it before going to Dubai.

appleboiiiiiuuu@reddit

Which meds are you bringing?

bugbugladybug@reddit

You'll need to research it.

If your drugs are co-codamol and Adderall, and you're going to Dubai, you're going to be spending the rest of your days rotting in prison..

This isn't something you need to be lax on, speak to your relevant government agency on travel to ensure you'll be safe..

Either don't take the meds, or don't go to a country that will jail you for looking at them the wrong way.

I’ve brought cocodamol to Dubai and Doha without even realising it was illegal? I’m not sure it’s a big deal then again it was 1 or 2 boxes and I’m a young woman

DogsDucks@reddit

The UAE embassy says you can get permission, I just looked it up.

OhGodWhyKhan@reddit

You definitely need to provide the country and the medication here - I was fine bringing ADHD medication to Morocco with just a doctor's note for example. They didn't even ask for it.

A8Warmonger@reddit

Don't go

Pretend-Elderberry00@reddit

Dude PLEASE do not risk doing anything shady and shady-adjacent with controlled drugs and international travel. Some countries will have you arrange to get a prescription from a doctor in that country - however I personally couldn’t take the risk of going into withdrawal from prescription opioids, if the doctor refused or cancelled the appointment etc.

Have you taken out holiday insurance yet? and were you fully honest on that about your medications and conditions - you might be able to make a claim for the cost of trip if you discover you can’t travel for any reason 🤞

If all is lost and you’re down £2000 and no trip, then it was a small price to pay to avoid forever in a Saudi jail.

magicpashu@reddit

Most middle eastern countries have ministry of health guidance on how to travel legally with prescription meds. I see that Saudi embassy has something on it but the website is down for maintenance now. Check in sometime maybe? Pls don't even think of doing anything against the official advice.

Jingleberyy@reddit

Here's your advice. Don't go to the middle east. Problem solved.

NeuronsAhead@reddit

The unethical advice is that you should just go for it but put everything in a piss disk. The real advice is to not be an idiot and find out exactly what you need to do to legally have your meds. I know it sucks not to be able to travel to some places, but that’s just the reality.

wolfkhil@reddit

Don’t travel to the Strict Middle Eastern country. If you’re caught, bad things WILL happen.

IntroductionNeat2746@reddit

There's literally people who've been executed for drug smuggling because they did what you're trying to do.

Simply don't go.

halfmanhalfespresso@reddit

Seriously ULPT is a good laugh but this is not the place to get any sort of advice on such a dangerous course of action. For example : https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-humber-47025773.amp which is probably casually racist of me cos thats a totally different country, technically a different continent, but you get the idea.

Illustrious-Gas-9766@reddit

Contact their embassy and see what the correct procedure would be. If the meds are illegal, I'd cancel the trip.

Iylivarae@reddit

I mean the absolute worst thing is trying to smuggle meds in, that looks hella suspicious and can cause serious problems even if you have the proper prescription. If you hide the meds and add them to vitamin bottles etc., this is likely going to look like smuggling, no matter what your documentation says.

The official way would be to ask the embassy what kind of documentation they need for you to be able to bring the medication you need.

Thing is: if they don't allow the medication, you - depending on the country in question - risk jail, or in some countries even death penalty for smuggling drugs. Then you just have to decide if that's worth the risk. To me, it certainly wouldn't, and I leave the meds that can be seen as controlled drugs at home if I travel to countries like this.

Less-Stuff-6842@reddit

It wouldn’t look like they were smuggling because they would be literally smuggling.

There isn’t a way to trick customs… you never know what they’re capable of. But I guess if you wanna risk detainment, incarceration, or death and likely spend a lot of money without your medicine which they will not give you if you are in any of those situations, then probably crush your pills and put them in pill capsules and make another label. But in countries like that, you’ll look sus af taking meds twice a day and people talk. Again, if you get caught you could spend the rest of your life not being able to take the med. what is it? I’m guessing a psyc med or pain killer… there are always alternatives. I may be able to help you there.