The “Ministry of Health and Prevention” prior approval is required for importing narcotic drugs

His Excellency Abdul Rahman Al Owais, Minister of Health and Prevention has issued resolution No. (677) of 2019 concerning the regulations and procedures of possessing narcotic or controlled drugs with passengers when entering or leaving the country, this decision replaces the 2012 Ministerial resolution concerning the regulations of the possession of personal Medicines (Narcotic, psychotropic drugs, CDa and CDb) to the UAE with passengers.

However, the quantity of narcotic or controlled drugs to be imported for personal use should not exceed the period of the patient’s stay in UAE, while a valid prescription has to be approved by the ministry of health & prevention (MOHAP) for patients leaving the UAE.

The provisions of the Ministerial Decree shall apply to all passengers possessing any of the Narcotic and Controlled drugs included in the International Narcotics Control Board Schedules No. (1, 2, 3 and 4) and schedule No. (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8) for Psychotropic Substances.

Certain documents are required for obtaining the ministry approval such as medical report from the concerned healthcare facility and a three months valid prescription including the attending physician details & seal and attested by the relevant authorities.

Importing narcotic & controlled drugs is subject to the provisions of this resolution allowing passengers to carry such drugs only for personal purposes according to patient needs and treatment requirements.