UAE Medicine Import Framework
The UAE distinguishes between ordinary prescription medicines, narcotic and psychotropic medicines, and other controlled or semi-controlled medicines. The official UAE Government portal states that controlled medicines are not freely imported and that some medicines require Ministry of Health and Prevention (MOHAP) permission.
Federal Law by Decree No. 30 of 2021 is the current federal framework for combating narcotic and psychotropic substances. The personal-import process is supplemented by Ministerial Resolution No. 99 of 2021 and current MOHAP service guidance for travellers and residents.
Narcotic, Psychotropic & Other Controlled Medicines
| Regulatory aspect | Current guidance |
|---|---|
| Examples / classification | Examples can include medicines containing substances classified by UAE authorities as narcotic, psychotropic or controlled. Classification depends on the active ingredient, formulation and current UAE controlled-medicine list. |
| Quantity | For travellers, current MOHAP guidance allows personal quantities of narcotic and controlled medicines up to the patient’s need for a maximum of 3 months, subject to the applicable requirements. Certain substances have stricter limits or may be prohibited. |
| MOHAP prior approval | For travellers, MOHAP prior electronic approval is currently an optional service. If prior approval was not obtained, the traveller must declare the controlled medicine at the UAE point of entry and carry the required prescription and medical report. |
Current Traveller Rules at a Glance
| Medicine category / situation | Current rule |
|---|---|
| Narcotic / psychotropic / controlled medicines | Maximum personal quantity generally up to 3 months’ patient need, subject to the current substance-specific annex. |
| Prescription-only, non-controlled medicines | Current MOHAP service information allows up to 6 months’ patient need for personal use. |
| Prior MOHAP approval for travellers | Optional electronic approval for travellers carrying narcotic or controlled medicines. |
| No prior approval obtained | Declare the narcotic/controlled medicine at the UAE point of entry and carry the required prescription and medical report. |
| Prohibited substance | Do not bring it. A prescription from the country of departure does not override a UAE prohibition. |
These are general rules. The current MOHAP annex remains controlling for individual substances because some medicines have substance-specific restrictions, shorter permitted quantities or prohibition status.
MOHAP Personal-Medicine Permit: What the Current Service Says
Traveller prior approval
MOHAP currently describes the electronic permit as an optional service for travellers who want prior approval to carry narcotic and controlled medicines.
If no prior approval was obtained
MOHAP states that travellers must declare their narcotic or controlled medicines at the country's ports of entry and present the required prescription and medical report.
The service is free. MOHAP's current service information lists the average service time as instant, so the old claim that approval normally takes 3–5 working days should not be retained.
Documents to Carry
- Current prescription showing the patient’s full name, medicine name, dose, dosage form, treatment duration, issue date and prescribing doctor.
- Medical report where required for narcotic or psychotropic medicines.
- Prescription and medical documents meeting the current authentication or recognition requirements.
- Original manufacturer packaging showing the medicine name and dosage.
- Passport and travel/residency documents as applicable.
- MOHAP electronic approval if you choose to obtain the optional prior approval for travel with controlled medicines.
Prescription Information MOHAP Expects
The current MOHAP service says the prescription should include the patient's full name, medicine name, dose, dosage form, duration of treatment, date of issue and physician information. The service information states that the prescription should be issued within the last three months and recognised/stamped by the relevant healthcare facility.
For controlled medicines, medical reports can also be required and must satisfy the current MOHAP requirements.
Prohibited and Restricted Substances
The official UAE Government portal distinguishes between narcotic and psychotropic drugs, other controlled medicines and ordinary medicines. It also notes that the current controlled-medicine annex identifies medicines by generic name, control level and traveller restrictions.
Three things must be checked separately
- Is the active ingredient controlled under UAE law?
- Is it allowed for personal medical use for travellers?
- If allowed, what quantity and documents does the current annex require?
Some substances in the official traveller annex are shown as prohibited. Therefore, obtaining a prescription from a doctor in another country does not automatically make every medicine importable into the UAE.
Arrival at the UAE Border
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Continuing Treatment After Arrival
Travellers who need continuing treatment should not assume that a foreign prescription can automatically be refilled by a UAE pharmacy. UAE pharmacies dispense medicines under UAE prescribing requirements, and controlled medicines have additional restrictions. Take your existing prescription, medical report and medication information to an appropriately licensed UAE healthcare provider and confirm the applicable dispensing route.
DHA guidance for electronic prescribing requires prescriptions to be issued through an authorised online prescription system and verified against the licensed physician and patient.
Related UAE Tools & Guides
2026 VerifiedFrequently Asked Questions
Official sources were checked for August 2026. This page is informational only. Medicine classification, prohibited-substance status, quantity limits and documentation requirements can change, so travellers should verify the exact medicine immediately before travel.