When is a controlled medicine lawful?
Article 12 of the Federal Decree-Law No. 30 of 2021 (Narcotics and Psychotropic Substances) prohibits personal use of narcotics or psychotropic substances except for treatment under a medical prescription from the treating physician issued in accordance with Article 40. Taking more than the dose in the prescription is an offence under Article 41.
Controlled medicines include some commonly prescribed abroad, so check before you travel.
What are the rules for prescribing and dispensing?
Only licensed physicians in the UAE may issue a prescription, for medical treatment within the scope of their specialty, subject to the quantities in Schedule 9 or approved scientific principles (Article 40(1)). A pharmacy may dispense only against such a prescription and not above the Schedule 9 limits, unless the physician obtains authorisation for higher quantities (Article 34).
A doctor or pharmacist who deliberately violates those rules faces aggravated penalties for facilitation (Article 48).
What about medicine prescribed abroad?
Article 40(2) provides that the Cabinet issues a resolution setting the controls governing prescriptions issued abroad for narcotics and psychotropic substances and the procedures for bringing them into the UAE by the patient in whose name the prescription is issued or by a third party.
Carry your original prescription, a doctor's letter and the medicine in its original packaging, and check the requirements before travelling. For a person who is neither a citizen nor a legal resident found on entry with a substance for personal use, Article 42 bis sets a fine of AED 5,000 to AED 1,000,000.
What if I am charged?
The defence is lawful authorisation: a valid prescription covering the substance and dose, brought in under the rules. Records from your doctor and pharmacy are the key evidence.
See our guides on personal use and airport drug cases.
What should I do first?
Carry original prescriptions and doctor's letters
In your name.
Keep medicine in original packaging
Labelled.
Check the control status before you travel
Rules differ by country.
Call us if stopped
Do not guess about dose or source.
Call us on +971 50 653 1334 or message us on WhatsApp. We answer at any hour.
Frequently asked questions
Can I bring prescribed medicine into the UAE?
Article 40(2) provides for controls on prescriptions issued abroad and the procedures for bringing them in. Check them before you travel.
Is taking more than the prescribed dose an offence?
Yes (Article 41).
Can a doctor prescribe any quantity?
No. Prescriptions are limited by Schedule 9 or approved scientific principles (Article 40(1)).
Is a pharmacist liable?
A pharmacy may not dispense without a valid prescription or above the limits (Article 34), and deliberate violations are aggravated facilitation (Article 48).
Related guides
Drug Offences overview
The main points, the process and your first steps.
Read the overviewAirport Drug Cases
What happens when a controlled substance or prescribed medicine is found at a UAE airport, and how the law treats entering with a substance.
Read the guidePersonal Use
What the law says about using drugs, or having them for personal use, the penalties for first and repeat offences, and when treatment can replace a sentence.
Read the guideSources
Source: Federal Decree-Law No. 30 of 2021 (Narcotics and Psychotropic Substances), official English text on the UAE Legislation portal, checked 9 October 2026. The portal lists the law as active and last updated on 1 October 2025. The Arabic text prevails over translations.
This page is general information, not legal advice.