Ok guys- we all know that most countries have different laws when it comes to medications- some things that we can buy over the counter (OTC) here are by prescription over in other countries. So I thought it might be a good idea to compile a list of medications that are available OTC in your country that may not be ok to bring into other countries. In Australia you can buy a bunch of medication OTC without a script including (I'm not a pharmacist): - Panadol - Panadeine Plus Codeine - Nurofen - Ibuprofen Plus Codeine - Aspirin - Cough Syrup (of all different strengths) - Glucose Syrup - Glucose Tabs - Phenergen (sleeping tablet- available in 25mg and 10mg tablets) - Light motion sickness tablets - Salbutamol What of those can't you get without a script in the USA/Europe/wherever you're from?
Good idea to start a thread like this If one is travelling around Europe it is a little complicated as every country has its own laws / rules so I can only talk for Germany (and I'm no pharmacist neither). Good thing is that Aspirin and Panadol (Paracetamol in German) are free Bad thing is that a lot of the other stuff is not Codeine is listed in the 'Betäubungsmittelgesetz' (narcotics law which includes a medication/drug black list) and therefore everything that contains codeine has to be prescripted by a registered doctor even if it is only cough sirup with codeine. All antibiotics (even eye drops) have to be prescripted as well and the same goes for strong pain killers, the anti-baby-pill and almost everything that contains cortisone (some ointments with only a low dose of cortisone are OTC). There are tons of other stuff that is not free to buy (and which I wouldn't know anyways) but those I mentioned were the ones that I thought might be interesting for travelling. I guess (and recommend) that those with special needs take their own medications with them I don't think that you would get any problems if you travel to Germany and bring your own medications with you as long as they are in their original boxes or displays. I wouldn't recommend to bring funny colored pills or white powders in non-marked reusable plastic bags though
So would one travelling to Germany with Codeine tabs prescribed by an Aus physician be ok? Or would you need to have german prescriptions?
Owning any medications with codeine in it isn't illegal in Germany, only the availability is under control to avoid drug abuse. So if you travel with codeine containing medications that shouldn't give you any problems
Yep, codeine medication you got from a doctor in AUS(tralia?) should be okay. As long as it is in its normal pack or in a tablet vial labelled with your name etc, you are most likely to get through customs without hassle. I usually recommend to bring copies of your prescriptions, or a letter from your doctor stating that Mr. MedicInTraining is being treated with this and that - just to be sure to be sure. If there is any particular medication you are worried about, send me a message, but there's only a small list I would worry about: opioids or anything that falls under controlled drug legislation, steroids (mainly anabolics, while corticoids should be fine), really large amounts of substances known to be precursors for drugs (e. g. ephedrine). When in a German pharmacy: No prescription required for: Panadol (paracetamol), Nurofen (ibuprofen), aspirin, glucose syrup, glucose tabs Prescription IS required for: phenergan (called Atosil, in DE), salbutamol, codeine Prescription MIGHT be required for (depending on the active ingredient): Cough medicine, sleeping tablets Apart from salbutamol, you will easily find non-prescription substitutes for these items that are equally helpful. One more thing: When in a pharmacy in Germany, be nice - we pharmacists need love too
I always carry meds - including non perscription ones - in original bottle. Never had a problem, although I occasionally have had a customs inspector ask what something was and why I was taking it. Grey hair helps.
There is ONE pain killer that's pretty strong and can still be purchased OTC in the USA and MEXICO, and many other countries as well. TRAMADOL known under quite a few names: is a synthetic opiate and very effective to relieve mild to moderate pain, especially when used in conjunction with NAPROXEN. In MEXICO 10# 50 mg tablets cost less than 3 dollars.