In light of the summer holiday season, the British Home Office is warning tourists going abroad to check what’s permissible to bring into foreign countries. For example, in Indonesia, common medicines like sleeping pills, codeine, and ADHD medication are totally illegal!
“While your local pharmacist can advise on what medication you need and how best to manage it while away on holiday, it’s important to also check what restrictions are in place for where you are traveling, and you can do this via the FCO’s Foreign Travel Checklist,” said Julia Longbottom, FCO consular director.
She continued, saying, “In some cases where restrictions haven’t been adhered to, your medication could be confiscated, which if you are living with a long-term condition can affect your health. Therefore, if you’re unsure, we would advise you to check the FCO’s website for the latest information on how best to prepare.”
She added, explaining that, ‘We can see that British people are more likely to research the weather before their holidays than research the local laws and customs, so while you’re online checking out whether or not to pack sunscreen, we’d strongly encourage you to check whether taking medication into a country is okay or not.”
Longbottom advised, “You should also read our travel advice. The FCO can’t give legal advice or get people out of prison, so we are urging those heading off on their summer break to join the 16 million people a year who check our Travel Advice, to ensure they are properly prepared for their trip and avoid any potential trouble.”
Good to know: Any medicine containing pseudoephedrine is 100% not allowed in Japan. Sudafed and Vicks contain pseudoephredine, so don’t casually toss those into your carry on luggage. Additionally, many common over the counter medications for the cold must be accompanied with a doctor’s note in Qatar.
