Ministry lays down rules for visitors possessing medicines

Iman Abdullah Al Ali, Staff Reporter

Abdul Rahman Al Owais, Minister of Health, issued Resolution No.99 for 2021 regarding the procedures and controls for travellers coming to the UAE with medical products, without violating any other controls stipulated in Ministerial Resolution No. 677 for 2019.

The first article of the resolution stipulates that the person coming to the UAE is allowed to carry narcotic or psychotropic drugs for personal use, within the limits of a quantity that does not exceed the patient’s need for a maximum period of 3 months, provided this is mentioned in a prescription or a medical report issued by the health facility where he was treated.

The second article stipulates that a person coming to the UAE is allowed to carry other medical products, including healthcare products and medical devices for personal use, provided the quantity does not exceed the patient’s need for a period of 6 months.

Article 3 stipulates that in exceptional cases and with the approval of the Ministry of Health and Prevention, a quantity of medicines may be brought for a period not exceeding the quantity specified in Article 2 for personal use of a citizen or resident who returns to the country after a treatment trip abroad, with the need to submit an application through the electronic smart system.


Picture used for illustrative purpose only.

The fourth article stipulates that the inspectors of the Ministry of Health and Prevention will provide technical support to the employees in charge of monitoring passengers and goods at the country’s border crossings.

Article 5 cancelled every provision contradicting with these of Resolution 677 for 2019.

To obtain the approval of the Ministry, documents must be submitted in Arabic or English, including a medical report from the health facility in which the patient was treated, documented by the health authority in the country in which he received treatment, or from the embassy of the UAE, or any body authorised for documentation in that country, as of a year since its issuance.

The report should also include the patient’s personal data and information, his triple name (first name, middle name and family name), the medical diagnosis, the name of the scientific or commercial drug, the prescribed quantity, the treatment plan and its duration, the date of the report, the doctor’s name and specialisation, licence number, address and stamp of the health facility.

The document should also include a copy of the medical prescription with the name of the patient, issued no more than three months ago, provided it includes the patient’s triple name, the name of the scientific or commercial drug, the pharmaceutical firm, the prescribed dose, the date of issuing, the duration of treatment, the doctor’s name and the stamp of the treatment authority. It must be authenticated by the health authority in the country where he received treatment, or from the country’s embassy or any body authorised for documentation in that country, and a copy of the passport or ID. In the absence of prior permission, the customs authorities will coordinate with the Ministry to take the necessary measures based on the documents available to the traveller.

In another development, Dr. Abdul Rahman Bin Mohammad bin Nasser Al Owais, Minister of Health and Prevention, said that women have formed a key pillar in the national strategies that are based on innovation, excellence, and leadership, thanks to the support and guidance of the state’s wise leadership which paid special attention to the empowerment of women to help them assume leadership roles.

On the occasion of Emirati Women’s Day, Al Owais underlined that the UAE’s wise leadership has provided all tools of success, including a business friendly environment, and women’s empowerment programmes to help them unleash their energies and talent and assume leadership roles, thus achieving significant milestones over the past decades.

The Health Minister congratulated Her Highness Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak, Chairwoman of the General Women’s Union (GWU), President of the Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood, and Supreme Chairwoman of the Family Development Foundation (FDF) on this occasion.