Legality of carrying painkillers on a flight?

noubliezjamais · 03-06-2019 11:37pm #1

I've taken codeine (in Nurofen Plus) to the states before and didn't have a problem but I have heard that it is a schedule 3 substance there so you can get a fine for bringing it in.

I do wonder however, what are the laws regarding importation into Ireland/carrying onto countries in the EU? My aunt living in California has a stash of hydrocodone (Vicodin) pills she carries not to Ireland but to Africa and hasn't been stopped but she was warned that she needs to carry a prescription for it or else could get into serious trouble.

Hypothetically, what would happen if she were to visit with a substancial amount of pills only for personal use legally obtained from a physician in the U.S. but she placed them in a non-medicinal bottle without her name or any proof of a prescription.

Would she get fined, charged?

Caranica · 04-06-2019 1:09am

It depends on the country. I always carry Tramadol because crippling knee pain can strike me at any stage. When I travel overseas I bring a letter from my gp as some countries class it just below narcotics.

When travelling with prescription drugs you should have original packaging in your name /a copy of your prescription/a letter from your doctor to be safe.

04-06-2019 1:12am

noubliezjamais wrote: »

I've taken codeine (in Nurofen Plus) to the states before and didn't have a problem but I have heard that it is a schedule 3 substance there so you can get a fine for bringing it in.

I do wonder however, what are the laws regarding importation into Ireland/carrying onto countries in the EU? My aunt living in California has a stash of hydrocodone (Vicodin) pills she carries not to Ireland but to Africa and hasn't been stopped but she was warned that she needs to carry a prescription for it or else could get into serious trouble.

Hypothetically, what would happen if she were to visit with a substancial amount of pills only for personal use legally obtained from a physician in the U.S. but she placed them in a non-medicinal bottle without her name or any proof of a prescription.

Would she get fined, charged?

You need to bring the prescription. Simple as.

Peregrinus · 04-06-2019 2:27am

noubliezjamais wrote: »

. . . Hypothetically, what would happen if she were to visit with a substancial amount of pills only for personal use legally obtained from a physician in the U.S. but she placed them in a non-medicinal bottle without her name or any proof of a prescription.

Hypothetically, why wouldn't she just carry the prescription?

percy212 · 04-06-2019 3:53am

It's medicine. They have bigger things to worry about. Don't bring 12 packets.

noubliezjamais · 04-06-2019 7:48am

percy212 wrote: »

It's medicine. They have bigger things to worry about. Don't bring 12 packets.

Okay but what if you couldn't prove you had a prescription for it? it is a controlled substance after all.

04-06-2019 7:49am

noubliezjamais wrote: »

Okay but what if you couldn't prove you had a prescription for it? it is a controlled substance after all.

Letter from gp. Community pharmacy should have copy too.

Miike · 05-06-2019 1:06am

noubliezjamais wrote: »

I've taken codeine (in Nurofen Plus) to the states before and didn't have a problem but I have heard that it is a schedule 3 substance there so you can get a fine for bringing it in.

I do wonder however, what are the laws regarding importation into Ireland/carrying onto countries in the EU? My aunt living in California has a stash of hydrocodone (Vicodin) pills she carries not to Ireland but to Africa and hasn't been stopped but she was warned that she needs to carry a prescription for it or else could get into serious trouble.

Hypothetically, what would happen if she were to visit with a substancial amount of pills only for personal use legally obtained from a physician in the U.S. but she placed them in a non-medicinal bottle without her name or any proof of a prescription.

Would she get fined, charged?

Depends on the country. UAE for example (although severe) has a strict ban on Tramadol and can see you in prison even with a prescription and a medical report.

Caranica · 05-06-2019 7:51am

Miike wrote: »

Depends on the country. UAE for example (although severe) has a strict ban on Tramadol and can see you in prison even with a prescription and a medical report.

I've taken it through Dubai four times and never even been asked for my letter. Kept in original packaging and always bring the letter.

Victor · 05-06-2019 10:41am

Caranica wrote: »

I've taken it through Dubai four times and never even been asked for my letter. Kept in original packaging and always bring the letter.

1. Were you entering the country or merely passing through. Customs doesn't 'usually' apply to people passing through an airport to go to a third country.
2. Did you declare them? Declaring something before entering a country 'usually' defeats accusations of possession / importation.
3. Were they recognised for what they were? Was the quantity a prohibited quantity?

Caranica · 05-06-2019 12:58pm

Victor wrote: »

1. Were you entering the country or merely passing through. Customs doesn't 'usually' apply to people passing through an airport to go to a third country.
2. Did you declare them? Declaring something before entering a country 'usually' defeats accusations of possession / importation.
3. Were they recognised for what they were? Was the quantity a prohibited quantity?

Passing through and declared. I had 60 on me the first two times and about 45 the other two.

Miike · 05-06-2019 6:28pm

Caranica wrote: »

I've taken it through Dubai four times and never even been asked for my letter. Kept in original packaging and always bring the letter.

Google 'Tramadol UAE' you need to apply for prior approval from the Ministry of Health's Registration and Drug Control Department to move the medicine into the country even if it's a layover. Without this authorization but having everything else you'll still face imprisonment as it is a criminal offense by their law.

Edit: https://www.uae-embassy.org/sites/default/files/Guidelines%20for%20carrying%20medecines%20to%20UAE.pdf

Spanish Eyes · 05-06-2019 6:34pm

How do they find them if that's not a totally stupid question. Do they x ray EVERY bag, suitcase and hand/man bag or what? Or do they have doggie detectors.

Not that it bothers me at the moment, I am just curious. Soluble Paracetemol is the strongest I have when travelling. I hate swallowing tablets, just me, so it has to be in a glass of water or something, which is sometimes more difficult to achieve than being caught for illicit drugs under whatever country's rules!

Caranica · 05-06-2019 8:15pm

Miike wrote: »

Google 'Tramadol UAE' you need to apply for prior approval from the Ministry of Health's Registration and Drug Control Department to move the medicine into the country even if it's a layover. Without this authorization but having everything else you'll still face imprisonment as it is a criminal offense by their law.

Edit: https://www.uae-embassy.org/sites/default/files/Guidelines%20for%20carrying%20medecines%20to%20UAE.pdf

I did. And contacted them but they never replied!

Miike · 05-06-2019 8:21pm

Caranica wrote: »

I did. And contacted them but they never replied!

There's an online system now which is supposedly amazing :pac:

Sleeper12 · 05-06-2019 8:28pm

Miike wrote:

Depends on the country. UAE for example (although severe) has a strict ban on Tramadol and can see you in prison even with a prescription and a medical report.

Not allowed in Egypt either. Big signs at the airport.

Credit Checker Moose · 05-06-2019 9:13pm

Don't be taking painkillers to Thailand either. They take the matter rather seriously.

Caranica · 05-06-2019 9:29pm

Miike wrote: »

There's an online system now which is supposedly amazing :pac:

Last time I tried was April 2018

Graces7 · 12-06-2019 12:56pm

I made the mistake of watching online a film called "The Bangkok Hilton". Still terrifies me remembering it. Had no idea re all this

Codeine is bad news in the US. and getting like that here now even in the small amounts in OTC meds. for risk of addiction and escalation but it remains a highly effective painkiller in need and yes always carry paperwork if travelling

noubliezjamais · 12-06-2019 6:56pm

Graces7 wrote: »

I made the mistake of watching online a film called "The Bangkok Hilton". Still terrifies me remembering it. Had no idea re all this

Codeine is bad news in the US. and getting like that here now even in the small amounts in OTC meds. for risk of addiction and escalation but it remains a highly effective painkiller in need and yes always carry paperwork if travelling

To be fair I don't think codeine even in the US is in the same class as some of the prescription opiates (oxycodone, hydrocodone, morphine) they have there. I have taken about 48 Nurofen Plus tablets over there and they didn't seem concerned.

Medicines like Oramoprh or Fentanyl are those that customs officers in the US, Canada, UK are what I wonder one would face penalties for. They are in some countries ranked on the same status as heroin.

I know a lad who told me he bought some oxy pills of his friend who got prescribed too many in the US. Tried to bring them to Australia without a prescription and was given a warning with a €2,000 fine.

Graces7 · 15-06-2019 7:56am

noubliezjamais wrote: »

To be fair I don't think codeine even in the US is in the same class as some of the prescription opiates (oxycodone, hydrocodone, morphine) they have there. I have taken about 48 Nurofen Plus tablets over there and they didn't seem concerned.

Medicines like Oramoprh or Fentanyl are those that customs officers in the US, Canada, UK are what I wonder one would face penalties for. They are in some countries ranked on the same status as heroin.

I know a lad who told me he bought some oxy pills of his friend who got prescribed too many in the US. Tried to bring them to Australia without a prescription and was given a warning with a €2,000 fine.

Agree totally but there is near-hysteria here at times. I am on tylex for intractable pain and when I moved here nearly 2 years ago and asked my new GP all hell broke loose. I was told I must be an addict etc etc etc and treated like dirt frankly
It was many months later when I finally got my previous retired GP to contact the new one that my pain relief was restored. My notes had gone missing!

I am stable on the same dose for well over a decade and am careful

Buying even solpadeine OTC means a small interrogation at the pharmacy here. .

Bobeagleburger · 15-06-2019 8:01am

“My Aunt “

Anyway OP, have the prescription ready in case.

Victor · 15-06-2019 10:00am

Graces7 wrote: »

Buying even solpadeine OTC means a small interrogation at the pharmacy here. .

In Ireland, over the counter painkillers kill more people than heroin.

Graces7 · 15-06-2019 1:59pm

Victor wrote: »

In Ireland, over the counter painkillers kill more people than heroin.

I do not believe that frankly. We probably just do not always hear of heroin deaths. And at some stage we all and each have to take personal responsibility for our lives and what we take etc,
and no reason to prevent us buying what we need.

I actually in the while when i was new here and drs were still sorting their paperwork out to resume my consultant prescribed pain relief was made to feel like a junkie going in and out pf pharmacies having to justify my purchase to a non-medic in public . It was degrading.

It would actually have been easier and less stressful to go illegal and it was offered once.

Anyways I am past travelling but if I did I would be very sure to take the correct paperwork

Credit Checker Moose · 15-06-2019 2:05pm

Surely such pharmacy interrogations should be conducted in private?

AndrewJRenko · 15-06-2019 3:04pm

Graces7 wrote: »

I do not believe that frankly. We probably just do not always hear of heroin deaths.

So the pathologists and coroners are just missing the heroin bit?

Graces7 · 15-06-2019 3:54pm

Credit Checker Moose wrote: »

Surely such pharmacy interrogations should be conducted in private?

Thank you. And yes, but they are not.

Graces7 · 15-06-2019 3:55pm

AndrewJRenko wrote: »

So the pathologists and coroners are just missing the heroin bit?

ohnonotgmail · 15-06-2019 5:32pm

AndrewJRenko wrote: »

So the pathologists and coroners are just missing the heroin bit?

Do we have accurate stats for such things and do they only count overdoses as deaths from heroin?

Miike · 16-06-2019 12:05am

Victor wrote: »

In Ireland, over the counter painkillers kill more people than heroin.

Do you have a source on that? I'd love to read more about it. I've read that prescription painkillers kill more people than heroin and cocaine combined or that Tramadol takes more lives than heroin overdoses but never the OTC thing.

Not doubting - I'd just like to read more in-depth about it!

noubliezjamais · 16-06-2019 12:25am

Miike wrote: »

Do you have a source on that? I'd love to read more about it. I've read that prescription painkillers kill more people than heroin and cocaine combined or that Tramadol takes more lives than heroin overdoses but never the OTC thing.

Not doubting - I'd just like to read more in-depth about it!

I thought it was the combination of benzos (polydrug use) that contributes to most deaths, not heroin in itself.

So benzos+ alcohol or benzos+coke or benzos+GHB etc...

Victor · 16-06-2019 12:44am

Apologies, it was all legal opiates (not including Methadone), not just OTC ones and the numbers are comparable, not in excess of. Abuse of Nurofen Plus and similar products has been rife.

Victor wrote: »

In the 2004-2010 period, these drugs were killing 47-69 people per year in Ireland, when Heroin and Methadone were killing a combined 69-184 people per year in Ireland.

I had to assemble the numbers from here: https://www.hrb.ie/fileadmin/publications.../NDRDI_web_update_2004-2010_01.pdf possibly Table 5

Graces7 · 16-06-2019 1:25pm

Here is a total anomaly. You can buy solpadeine in Dubai very cheaply from slot machines

BUT you cannot take it out of the country or bring it in.

Graces7 · 16-06-2019 1:31pm

Nurofen plus has 12 gms codeine and brufen; Boots have an own brand that is cheaper.

solpadeine has 8 mg codeine and paracetamol

Yes they are overused for many reasons.

Suffice it to say that i came nearer to accidental overdose in the months when I could not access prescribed pain relief; deep nerve pain not properly treated would drive a ... words there are none. In the solpadeine instance it is the paracetamol that kills. Pain is hell and hard to get proper help here.

tylex has 30 mg codeine and paracetamol

Back to topic? See pfevious post

Credit Checker Moose · 16-06-2019 7:36pm

Thailand has the same situation. You can buy most painkillers OTC with only a pharmacist consultation which happens in a private room.

But don't dare try to import them.

AndrewJRenko · 22-06-2019 1:41pm

Graces7 wrote: »

I'm missing your point. Are you suggesting that pathologists aren't picking up deaths by heroin?

ohnonotgmail wrote: »

Do we have accurate stats for such things and do they only count overdoses as deaths from heroin?

What other kinds of deaths from heroin are there?

Marcusm · 22-06-2019 10:16pm

Graces7 wrote: »

Here is a total anomaly. You can buy solpadeine in Dubai very cheaply from slot machines

BUT you cannot take it out of the country or bring it in.

The basic formulation of Solpadeine no longer includes codeine (despite the name). I’m willing to bet that’s what you can get in UAE from a vending machine.

Graces7 · 23-06-2019 1:59pm

Marcusm wrote: »

The basic formulation of Solpadeine no longer includes codeine (despite the name). I’m willing to bet that’s what you can get in UAE from a vending machine.

No it has codeine. 8 mg per tablet, and afaik still is that here. Not bought any here for a while as I am on prescription but a/c to online pharmacies, still the same ie with codeine.

ohnonotgmail · 23-06-2019 4:07pm

Marcusm wrote: »

The basic formulation of Solpadeine no longer includes codeine (despite the name). I’m willing to bet that’s what you can get in UAE from a vending machine.

I have no idea what the formulation is in dubai but the formulation here still contains 8mg of codeine.

Miike · 23-06-2019 4:33pm

Marcusm wrote: »

The basic formulation of Solpadeine no longer includes codeine (despite the name). I’m willing to bet that’s what you can get in UAE from a vending machine.

They are 2 different products. Solpadeine in its basic formulation has codeine in it.

Marcusm · 23-06-2019 7:55pm

Turns out i’m Thinking of the U.K. one where there is a headache non codeine version - that’s where I last bought it.

Graces7 · 26-06-2019 2:47pm

Marcusm wrote: »

Turns out i’m Thinking of the U.K. one where there is a headache non codeine version - that’s where I last bought it.

yep; I had a look round as I knew I had seen that somewhere but not here. I had All is well!

Graces7 · 26-06-2019 2:49pm

Miike wrote: »

They are 2 different products. Solpadeine in its basic formulation has codeine in it.

same everywhere ; 8 mg

Legality of carrying painkillers on a flight?

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