Australia policy on medications

[GUT2407]

No way I’d vaguely consider taking anything remotely like marijuana to Indonesia, they take drugs very seriously.

[MicCanberra]

I have always taken drugs seriously, they have usually been out of necessity.

[GUT2407]

I’ve seriously taken a lot of drugs too. And some of those have been very serious drugs. My pain specialist once told me they rate the danger of drugs according to what you can get for them on the black market.

 

one of mine was said to bring up to $100 a tablet on the street.

 

Edited October 25, 2019 by GUT2407

[Docker123]

2 hours ago, GUT2407 said:

I’ve seriously taken a lot of drugs too. And some of those have been very serious drugs. My pain specialist once told me they rate the danger of drugs according to what you can get for them on the black market.

 

one of mine was said to bring up to $100 a tablet on the street.

 

 I have to support my retirement somehow.

 

Don’t judge me. 
 

[Goldconnection]

On 10/8/2019 at 12:03 PM, erniediane65 said:

Could someone please tell me exactly what Australia’s policy is on prescription and non-prescription medications, including vitamins and over the counter pain meds, etc. I’m so confused!

 

I contacted the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) regarding travelling to Australia with medicine via email and they responded in a timely manner. In my email I included exactly what over the counter meds I planned to bring. They provided feedback, links, videos and pamphlet. I would much rather get the dos and don't directly from them then from online experts who may or may not know. It might help if you do the same.

[Russell21]

17 hours ago, GUT2407 said:

I’ve seriously taken a lot of drugs too. And some of those have been very serious drugs. My pain specialist once told me they rate the danger of drugs according to what you can get for them on the black market.

 

one of mine was said to bring up to $100 a tablet on the street.

 

I'm on those for my back, I only take one when I can't stand the pain any longer. The script says I can take 3 a day but if I did I'd be ga ga.

[GUT2407]

5 minutes ago, Russell21 said:

I'm on those for my back, I only take one when I can't stand the pain any longer. The script says I can take 3 a day but if I did I'd be ga ga.

I peaked at 6 a day and it wasn’t doing a darn thing for the pain.

[roothy123]

9 hours ago, Goldconnection said:

 

I contacted the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) regarding travelling to Australia with medicine via email and they responded in a timely manner. In my email I included exactly what over the counter meds I planned to bring. They provided feedback, links, videos and pamphlet. I would much rather get the dos and don't directly from them then from online experts who may or may not know. It might help if you do the same.

Thank you for that; very helpful.  Now I'm looking for something like that from Bali.  

 

And those with back trouble, I sympathize.  I live with someone who is sometimes totally immobilized by it.  Not an easy, or even predictable thing. 

[possum52]

9 hours ago, Goldconnection said:

 

I contacted the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) regarding travelling to Australia with medicine via email and they responded in a timely manner. In my email I included exactly what over the counter meds I planned to bring. They provided feedback, links, videos and pamphlet. I would much rather get the dos and don't directly from them then from online experts who may or may not know. It might help if you do the same.

Good advice but if you have read all the replies to the original question you would have seen that the OP was given the link for the TGA and most replies were similar to each other in saying declare all medications.

 

Leigh

Edited October 25, 2019 by possum52

[Docker123]

2 hours ago, roothy123 said:

Thank you for that; very helpful.  Now I'm looking for something like that from Bali.  

 

And those with back trouble, I sympathize.  I live with someone who is sometimes totally immobilized by it.  Not an easy, or even predictable thing. 

This is from the Australian govt Smartraveller website. I am sure the general contact an embassy advice will apply, perhaps your State Department will also have something.

https://smartraveller.gov.au/countries/asia/south-east/pages/indonesia.aspx#health

Medication

Not all medications available over the counter or by prescription in Australia are available in other countries. Some may be considered illegal or a controlled substance, even if prescribed by an Australian doctor. 

Take enough prescription medicine so you remain in good health. Always carry a copy of your prescription or a letter from your doctor stating what the medicine is, how much you take and that it's for personal use only. If you're caught with illegal medication, you can be detained, fined or face harsher penalties, even if an Australian doctor prescribed the drugs to you. This includes some medications used to treat Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.

Before you leave Australia:

• contact the Indonesian Embassy in Canberra to find out if your medication is legal under Indonesian law
• see information from the Indonesian Embassy in Canberra on getting approval to import medication.

[pink845]

This is so ridiculous. One has to declare blood pressure pills.  I can't believe blood pressure pills are a controlled medication in Australia. Really, I take them to control migraines.     I will bring my prescription bottle and the script with me.    Not taking them even one day could result in problems.

[Russell21]

5 minutes ago, pink845 said:

This is so ridiculous. One has to declare blood pressure pills.  I can't believe blood pressure pills are a controlled medication in Australia. Really, I take them to control migraines.     I will bring my prescription bottle and the script with me.    Not taking them even one day could result in problems.

Ridiculous it may seem, but remember one country's ridiculous is another country's jail time, or worse.

[possum52]

1 hour ago, pink845 said:

This is so ridiculous. One has to declare blood pressure pills.  I can't believe blood pressure pills are a controlled medication in Australia. Really, I take them to control migraines.     I will bring my prescription bottle and the script with me.    Not taking them even one day could result in problems.

No it is not ridiculous to declare medications when entering Australia, it is our law. Why do you think blood pressure tablets are a controlled medication in Australia? Because they have to be declared? They are not a controlled drug. Controlled drugs here are addictive type drugs such as morphine based medications.

 

Everyone entering Australia and carrying medication both OTC and Prescription should declare they are carrying it. No-one is saying you can't bring your medications, many visitors and Australians will be carrying similar medications. I have never been asked to show my medication or prescriptions when returning. It is just a tick/cross of the card and you most likely will not be be even asked about it. Don't stress!  Just do the right thing. Enoy your trip.

 

Leigh

 

 

[Docker123]

As Leigh has said, blood pressure pills are not controlled substances. They are prescription drugs which must be declared when entering Australia. We have to do it, too.

 

But, just make sure you follow the rules when returning home. 
 

Personal Importation of Prescription Drugs

Health Canada considers a personal importation as an importation by an individual for their own use or for the use of a person under their care or guardianship and which does not meet the definition of a commercial importation as set out in paragraph 16 of this memorandum.

22. Under C.01.045 of the Food and Drug Regulations, importation of prescription drugs is restricted to practitioners, drug manufacturers, wholesale druggists or registered pharmacists, or a resident of a foreign country while a visitor in Canada. Note that drugs imported by practitioners for treating patients are not considered to be personal importations but rather commercial importation for sale.

Canadian Residents

23. Health Canada may exercise enforcement discretion to permit a Canadian returning from abroad to bring with them, on their person, a single course of treatment or a 90-day supply based on the directions for use, whichever is less, of a prescription drug. This discretion is generally reserved for Canadian residents returning to Canada with prescription drugs which were dispensed for a treatment prior to leaving Canada, or drugs obtained through a filled prescription to treat an illness while abroad. 

24. Prescription drugs imported in this fashion must be for the individual's personal use or the use of a person for whom they are responsible and with whom they are travelling.Additionally, all personal importations of prescription drugs must be packaged in the hospital, pharmacy dispensing or retail packaging, or have the original label affixed to it clearly indicating what the product is and what it contains. 

25. The CBSA may detain and refer prescription drugs to Health Canada when these conditions are not met.

26. Canadian residents may not import prescription drugs by mail or courier. 

 

[Kiwi Kruzer]

2 hours ago, pink845 said:

This is so ridiculous. One has to declare blood pressure pills.  I can't believe blood pressure pills are a controlled medication in Australia. Really, I take them to control migraines.     I will bring my prescription bottle and the script with me.    Not taking them even one day could result in problems.

Ridiculous ?
In an ideal world that would be true
Unfortunately  , the world is far from ideal .

[lissie]

3 hours ago, pink845 said:

This is so ridiculous. One has to declare blood pressure pills.  I can't believe blood pressure pills are a controlled medication in Australia. Really, I take them to control migraines.     I will bring my prescription bottle and the script with me.    Not taking them even one day could result in problems.

Since when?  My partner has been on these for decades (plus a whole heap more) - never had to declare anything into Melbourne last year 

[possum52]

2 hours ago, lissie said:

Since when?  My partner has been on these for decades (plus a whole heap more) - never had to declare anything into Melbourne last year 

Always declare your personal medication on the customs declaration card when entering Australia.  This is from the Australian Border Force website - 

https://www.abf.gov.au/entering-and-leaving-australia/can-you-bring-it-in/categories/medicines-and-substances

 

It’s likely that you and your husband will pass through customs without being asked about your medication. I have never been asked, nor has my husband. 

 

Leigh
 

 

[Docker123]

3 hours ago, lissie said:

Since when?  My partner has been on these for decades (plus a whole heap more) - never had to declare anything into Melbourne last year 

The only time I have been checked by customs for blood pressure meds was at Auckland Airport.

 

I had declared, they were happy that I had.

 

As has been said on here many time, declare everything, even if you think it is inconsequential. 
 

 

Edited January 26, 2020 by Docker123

[lissie]

I just never noticed the question on the card to be honest! Maybe he does declare - I don't because although we split the drugs between us incase a bag goes missing - they are all his 

[Docker123]

First question on right hand side, just mark the YES box.

 

[CupcakeSusie]

I always err on the side of caution and declare absolutely everything. I have never had any problem - I put the letter from the dr with the meds and leave them in their box with the label. 
My dr explained that because we are subsidised quite generously for most medications with pbs, the thing they look for is the number needed for personal use, since they can sell for so much on the street overseas.

[lissie]

On 1/27/2020 at 10:33 AM, Docker123 said:

First question on right hand side, just mark the YES box.

 

 

 

I don't read that question as relating to medicines because I'm not taking a prohibited or restricted medicine - just a perscribed one 

[possum52]

2 hours ago, lissie said:

 

I don't read that question as relating to medicines because I'm not taking a prohibited or restricted medicine - just a perscribed one 

From the link in Post #67 on the Australian Border Force website - 

 

I think the question on the card is not clearly worded.

 

Leigh

Edited January 28, 2020 by possum52

[valantine80]

It says you should declare your medicine to Border Force when you arrive.

We always declare ours and are asked what are we declaring. We answer prescription and over the counter medications but have never been asked to show them.

[roothy123]

We got a list of prescriptions from our doctors for Bali.   Spouse needed it in Bali but not in Australia or New Zealand.  But it was not hard to get a list, so we were glad we did, just to be safe.  No big deal.