Why are prescription cases risky?
Some medicines are controlled in the UAE even though they are routine abroad.
A traveller may commit an offence without knowing.
What do we do?
We establish the medicine, the prescription and what was declared, and we present the medical context.
We also check the testing and the chain of custody.
What should travellers do?
Carry the prescription and check whether the medicine is allowed before travelling.
We advise on what proof to bring.
What should I do first?
Collect the prescription
With the doctor's details.
Get a medical letter
Explaining the condition.
Photograph the packaging
Showing the label.
Tell us how it entered the UAE
Luggage or post.
Call us on +971 50 653 1334 or message us on WhatsApp. We answer at any hour.
Frequently asked questions
Can a prescription from abroad be enough?
It can help but may not be sufficient on its own. We advise on what is needed.
Is it an offence to take medication for pain?
It depends on the medicine and whether it is controlled. We check.
Related guides
Drug Offences overview
The main points, the process and your first steps.
Read the overviewPrescription Drug Offences
How the law treats controlled medicines: prescriptions, dispensing limits, medicines prescribed abroad and offences by doctors and pharmacists.
Read the guideAirport 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 guideDrug Possession
How the narcotics law distinguishes possession for personal use from possession for others, and the defence of lack of knowledge.
Read the guideSources
This page describes how we act in this type of case. It does not restate the law: the linked guides set out the statutory position and cite the official English text on the UAE Legislation portal, uaelegislation.gov.ae. The Arabic text prevails over translations.
This page is general information, not legal advice.