I decided to fly Emirates from Portugal to Japan.
As there are no direct flights from Portugal to Japan, I had to transit through Dubai International Airport in the UAE.
At the time, I was considering bringing medication prescribed to me in Japan, but the UAE has quite strict regulations regarding medicines.
Since I wouldn’t be clearing immigration by going through the gates, I wondered if it would be alright during transit…? Still, I felt uneasy and decided to look into it.
Translated with DeepL.com (free version)
Investigate the importation of regulated pharmaceuticals into the UAE
The UAE has quite stringent regulations for existing pharmaceuticals. First, verify whether it is a controlled substance using documentation officially issued by the UAE.
Upon entry, it is possible to enter the country by obtaining a permit for the importation of medicines for personal use.
https://mohap.gov.ae/en/w/issue-of-permit-to-import-medicines-for-personal-use
In short, it states that travellers may bring items into the country without applying, provided they are for personal use only.
For travelers: This service is optional for travelers visiting the country who wish to obtain electronic approvals, as it is allowed for those coming to the country to take narcotic medicine and psychotropics (controlled medications) with them within the limits of a quantity that does not exceed the patient’s need for a maximum period of three months.
Regarding transit, it was recommended to carry medication and prescriptions.
Transit travelers (who will not leave the country’s ports) are not required to obtain prior approval to carry narcotic and controlled medicines, but rather it is recommended to carry the medicines with the patient’s prescription.
For travel or transit purposes, it seemed that a prescription alone would suffice, without the need to issue a medicine import licence.
I shall enquire with Emirates about bringing medication on board.
If you reside overseas, you can connect with an operator in real time via the chat in the bottom right corner. I used this option myself.
https://www.emirates.com/jp/japanese/help
I asked roughly: ‘I intend to bring in a quantity of a controlled medicine sufficient for personal use. However, my prescription has expired. Is transit entry permitted?’
The response was:
‘We recommend bringing in controlled medicines with a valid prescription.’
The convenient aspect of this chat is that it sends you the entire conversation via email afterwards.
This allows you to review it or refer back to it if you encounter difficulties. While calling the contact centre is easier if you reside in Japan, chat is recommended as it leaves a log.
Summary
In conclusion, provided you have a valid prescription, it seems you can safely bring controlled medicines through transit.
Now, how to obtain a prescription in Portugal is a topic for another time.
