Dubai: If you don’t follow the rules while traveling to the UAE even with your own medicines, you will get stuck. The rules apply equally to both resident and visitor visas. The procedures are based on the category to which the drugs belong.
A special permit from the UAE Ministry of Health is mandatory for controlled and semi-controlled drugs. Other medicines do not require this but cannot be brought more than the limit. Permit can be applied for online. Site: www.mohap.gov.ae.
Most of the medicines available in the countries of the world are available in pharmacies and hospitals in the UAE. Certain drugs are prohibited and restricted. Internationally, various drugs are used for scientific studies and research, but there are strict restrictions in the field of treatment. Care is also taken that these do not reach the common people. International regulations stipulate that their illegal transfer and use for intoxicating purposes should be strictly prohibited. The international rule is to give patients a controlled dose with the permission of doctors, taking into account the severity of certain diseases and other characteristics.
What’s in the application?
Full details about the disease, medication and treatment should be specified. Prescription issued by the examining doctor within 3 months, report issued by the treating institution within one year, health documents and copy of Emirates ID or passport are required.
The documents of the health authority of the country where the treatment was received or other responsible departments or the UAE Embassy should also be kept.
The UAE Drug Department will check the application and issue a consent letter if satisfied. Passengers can leave only after completing checks at ports and airports.
Testing is strict
Inspections are strict to prevent the introduction of intoxicating products masquerading as medicines. Customs also employ smart techniques to trap drug smugglers at a glance by using ‘viruts’ such as kudaware and wigs.
Drugs were also found inside wigs, artificial underwires and even in the glue on stamps. Customs also caught smuggling in wheelchairs, chocolate, juice, honey, almonds, spice powder and fruit baskets.
There are many tricks like bottling gold in liquid form, wearing thick clothes with layers of gold around the body, decorating clothes with gold threads.
The authorities can get clues from the body language of the criminals. Treat them politely and inquire about travel details. Discrepancies in the answer are found and questioned in detail. There are hi-tech systems to scan luggage and more.
There are many cases where people have been caught with materials for witchcraft.
You know, the side effects of medicine
Customs has systems including mobile smart lab. To find out whether the pills contain drugs, a special scanner will display the chemical name of all the ingredients on the screen. Narcotic drugs brought in the name of blood pressure and sugar pills can be seized.