Carrying medicines across international borders.

Travellers are often advised to obtain any medication they may require before departure, but local regulations concerning certain medicinal products may place restrictions on what may be carried to the country of destination. The International Narcotics Control Board (INCB) has recently introduced guidelines and specific country information that might aid travellers planning to carry medicines for personal use. The aim of this study was to analyse the country submissions to the INCB website and any other country specific regulations accessible via the internet. Of the 184 countries studied in 2008 only 56 had made submission to the INCB and for only a further 14 could information be readily identified via the internet. A variety of restrictions and quantities of those drugs broadly classified as narcotic or psychotropics were identified that did not always comply with the recommendations from the INCB. In addition statements on the INCB website sometimes differed from the advice given in official sources on the internet. Travellers should check carefully country regulation when planning to carry any medication that has an action on the central nervous system. In nearly all cases a copy of the prescription will need to be carried and there will often be further restriction in terms of maximum quantities and special permits.