A TOURIST in Bali has claimed she was threatened with five years in prison after being caught carrying prescribed medication into the country.
Tori Ann Lyla Hunter was carrying medicines which, despite being prescribed by a doctor in Australia, were illegal in Indonesia.
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Tourists may be under the illusion that if their drugs are accompanied by a doctor’s note, they are allowed into any country.
However, even if they are legally prescribed by a professional, this doesn’t mean they are legal abroad.
Countries such as Japan, Greece and Indonesia have strict rules when it comes to what prescription and over the counter drugs are allowed in their boarders.
Other countries such as China and Costa Rica require a doctor’s notes and only allow an exact amount of medication to be brought into the country.
We explain the common drugs which, if you take with you, could result in you being jailed when travelling abroad.
Diazepam
A number of countries do not allow Diazepam, which is often used in anti-anxiety medication, as well as for muscle spasms and inflammations .
Greece and Japan do not allow medication with Diazepam as it is seen as “controlled medication” – which are drugs that are controlled by the government to prevent them being misused.
It is also banned in the UAE.
It is only allowed in Dubai if it is declared beforehand with an online form introduced last year, or tourists could be prosecuted.
A tourist was jailed in Dubai for five weeks after authorities thought he had taken illegal amounts of his anti-anxiety medication.
DOCTOR’S ORDERS How much is a UK prescription? How can you pre-pay for your medication and how can you be exempt from the charges?
Codeine/Tramadol
Medicines containing Codeine or Tramadol are banned in countries such as the UAE, Japan, Indonesia and Greece.
This is because the prescribed painkiller is seen as a controlled medicine.
It is also banned in Egypt if you bring in too much.
British tourist Laura Plummer was jailed for 14 months for carrying 390 Tramadol pills in her suitcase when visiting the country.
Pseudoephedrine
Pseudoephedrine is used in medication such as Sudafed and Vicks as a decongestant.
This is banned in Japan as it is a drug in the amphetamine chemical class.
Adderall/Ritalin
Also known for its use as ADHD medication, it is banned in Japan as well where it is classed as amphetamines.
It is also banned in Indonesia.
Temazepan
Sleeping tablets often contain Temazepan – Indonesia and Dubai do not allow sleeping medication.
When it comes to travelling with controlled drugs, other countries are less strict in banning them.
Medication with prescriptions
Turkey, China and Costa Rica allow medications that are seen as controlled drugs as long as they are accompanied by a prescription and are not in large quantities.
Qatar, Thailand and the Maldives also have similar laws.
How to check if your medication is banned abroad
The UK Foreign Office advises Brits to contact your GP four to six weeks before a trip to check if their prescribed medication contains any “controlled drugs”, and any local requirements for bringing in medication.
Lloyds Pharmacy pharmacist Michael Wong said: “Whilst your local UK pharmacist can advise on what medication you need and how best to manage it whilst away on holiday, it’s important to also check what restrictions are in place for where you are travelling.
“You can do this via the FCO’s Foreign Travel Checklist.”
Codeine could soon be banned from being sold over the counter in the UK, after Health Secretary Matt Hancock suggested tougher regulations to reduce the number of people hooked on painkillers.
Tramadol is also highly addictive, with famous celebrities such as Matt Cardle admitting to becoming hooked on it after an injury.
However, as long as the correct dose is taken as advised by doctors, both of the drugs are safe to take.
