How strict is South Africa with medications?

[Albert GRANT]

First how strict is RSA on meds? Will the original pharmacy bottle with all the info be ok or do I need to go to the doc and get a written script?
Second in order to talk with a doc who knows about foreign travel around here I have to get my doc to refer me to a specialist at the hospital then go for a consult and wait for them to figure out if I need and vaccinations, then go back. Likely ins. Won't cover this and from the sounds it will be pretty expensive. I would like to avoid this so the question is: How many of you fellow Americans that have gone to east cape, RSA and needed to get any kind of medical stuff done before hand?

 

[BRICKBURN]

Take a copy of the RX with you.
I got stopped by a Customs Officer on the way out once and had to produce the papers.
I looked at him as though he had lost his mind and the encounter was short.
You do not need the hassle.

Can't speak to the other question.

 

[Scott Slough]

Went to the Eastern Cape in 2013 and got an updated tetanus shot and the first shot of the hepatitis A vaccine. It is recommended for anyone traveling beyond U.S., Canada, Western Europe, Japan, New Zealand, and Australia (http://www.immunize.org/catg.d/p4075.pdf).

I had a two week supply of prescription medications in both my carry-on and my checked bag ... I was not asked about the medication on outbound or inbound.

 

[Scott Slough]

PS I was able to get the tetanus and Hepatitus A vaccine from my local Walgreen's pharmacy ... and my insurance didn't cover it either!!!

 

[Nyati]

Never had a problem with Customs in five trips.

 

[JimP]

I went over last year with 6 different prescriptions and didn't have any problem, they were just in the original bottles with a current prescription label.

Now if you are talking about a prescription for medical MJ all bets are off.

 

[Divernhunter]

We did not have any trouble with just the meds in the bottles. I have 3 different pain meds
We hunted the east cape and had nothing done as far as vaccinations.
I am going back in 2017 and will do the same.
All meds were in my carry-on

 

[cpr0312]

Definitely recommended to get your Hep A and Hep B shots, its a 3 shot package and if I remember correct the third shot is a booster you get a few weeks or months after the first 2. Even the the cape is a non malaria area, I would still get and take some malaria meds just in case

 

[Albert GRANT]

I will just have a gout med, traveling seems to bring it on, so I take it now as a preventative before and during a trip. I will look into tetnus, hep a and b, and see what the cost of the malaria meds is. Thanks again guys

 

[Code4]

All good advice.

I'd skip the malaria meds in that area. Just not needed in that part of Africa and there can be side effects. Would you take malaria meds in Rome or Florida ? The risk is the same (or even more) in those locations.

Gastro, gastro, gastro. The most common form of illness in international travel.
Everything else sounds exotic and threatening but gastro will occur far more often. There is prophylactic medicine available as a liquid before you travel but I doubt its effectiveness. Make sure you have an anti-emetic and suitable gastro AB with you just in case you run a temperature. Sometimes you just have to let it run for 24 hours to let the crap get out so you can then kill the bug or void the virus. Stay hydrated.
Even common drinking water can cause some form of gastro but avoid unknown sources and NEVER drink or buy food off the side of the road or stall vendors.

There is rabies but the shot is a killer and it is just easier to avoid animals behaving erratically.

You wont have trouble with Meds in Africa, but I'd take the script with you in case your plane is diverted and you are challenged for trafficking. Even simple meds (to us) can be seen as black market contraband at foreign airports. If the bug doesn't get you the bureaucracy will.

 

[Albert GRANT]

All good advice.

I'd skip the malaria meds in that area. Just not needed in that part of Africa and there can be side effects. Would you take malaria meds in Rome or Florida ? The risk is the same (or even more) in those locations.

Gastro, gastro, gastro. The most common form of illness in international travel.
Everything else sounds exotic and threatening but gastro will occur far more often. There is prophylactic medicine available as a liquid before you travel but I doubt its effectiveness. Make sure you have an anti-emetic and suitable gastro AB with you just in case you run a temperature. Sometimes you just have to let it run for 24 hours to let the crap get out so you can then kill the bug or void the virus. Stay hydrated.
Even common drinking water can cause some form of gastro but avoid unknown sources and NEVER drink or buy food off the side of the road or stall vendors.

There is rabies but the shot is a killer and it is just easier to avoid animals behaving erratically.

You wont have trouble with Meds in Africa, but I'd take the script with you in case your plane is diverted and you are challenged for trafficking. Even simple meds (to us) can be seen as black market contraband at foreign airports. If the bug doesn't get you the bureaucracy will.

Good info thanks. I thought there were possible issues with the malaria stuff and probably wouldnt have ended up taking it. I have never heard of malaria in florida.... I had no plans on the rabies shot, I will take that only if exposed, thank you!

 

[RolandtheHeadless]

I'm glad someone raised this topic because I was thinking of asking the same question. I had about decided to take a copy of the prescription for my opioid pain medication and just leave the other prescription drugs in their original, labelled pill bottles.

The doctors don't give me written prescriptions, their offices call in the prescription to a pharmacist. Since I have a number of medications and several doctors who prescribe them, it would be a real nuisance to have to collect written prescriptions for all of them. Would any country's customs agents really have a fit if I don't have an original prescription for my cholesterol medicine?

 

[sestoppelman]

Never had my meds looked at by anybody in 7 trips. I leave them in their proper labeled bottles and that's it. Never taken doc notes or paperwork with them.

 

[BRICKBURN]

I'm glad someone raised this topic because I was thinking of asking the same question. I had about decided to take a copy of the prescription for my opioid pain medication and just leave the other prescription drugs in their original, labelled pill bottles.
.................

Some countries (UAE) will not allow opioids in or through even with prescriptions. Make sure you know the rules.

Like any customs agency, it will depend on the day and enforcement policy directives.


Apparently, some agencies seem to think that one day it's ok to import Elephants and the next, it's illegal. Can you imagine?

 

[RolandtheHeadless]

Wait a minute. You mean UAE won't let me transit through to S. Africa with opioid prescription medication?

Then how do I get my medicine to Africa?

 

[Patrick R]

First how strict is RSA on meds? Will the original pharmacy bottle with all the info be ok or do I need to go to the doc and get a written script?
Second in order to talk with a doc who knows about foreign travel around here I have to get my doc to refer me to a specialist at the hospital then go for a consult and wait for them to figure out if I need and vaccinations, then go back. Likely ins. Won't cover this and from the sounds it will be pretty expensive. I would like to avoid this so the question is: How many of you fellow Americans that have gone to east cape, RSA and needed to get any kind of medical stuff done before hand?

Should not have any problem with customs...except when you bring in your medicinal marijuana...

 

[CAustin]

Never had any issues with this but I take meds In the bottles!

 

[sestoppelman]

Ask a travel agent.

 

[wesheltonj]

Some countries (UAE) will not allow opioids in or through even with prescriptions. Make sure you know the rules.

Like any customs agency, it will depend on the day and enforcement policy directives.


Apparently, some agencies seem to think that one day it's ok to import Elephants and the next, it's illegal. Can you imagine?

Can’t take Sudafed into or thru the UAE too.

 

[Countrylife]

I carried a 60 day supply of antibiotics (in their original container from the Rx) in and out several times without issue. I offered to show them my prescriptions and they weren't interested, only narcotics. I also got all my vaccinations current which I ended up having to pay for. I did the research on the antibiotics and vaccinations and met with my family doctor and told him what I was planning on doing. He wrote the prescriptions and told me where to get the vaccinations including Yellow Fever. (Note: most trips will not need Yellow Fever, but I was in and out of places close to Yellow Fever and malaria areas. If the plane was diverted into one of those areas due to weather, fuel, etc. - - - best to be prepared.