Travelling with specialty medicines: Gulf rules and documents

Reviewed by the Reserve Meds clinical operations team on 17 October 2026. Sources accessed 17 October 2026.

Before any trip

The International Narcotics Control Board publishes guidance for travellers carrying medicines that contain controlled substances, and links to country requirements. Rules differ widely, so check the destination before you pack.^[1]

• Carry medicines in original packs with the pharmacy label.
• Carry a recent prescription and a medical report in English or Arabic.
• Keep cold-chain medicines in a validated cool bag and ask the airline about onboard storage.
• Carry only the quantity the rules allow; excess may be confiscated.

Saudi Arabia

SFDA personal-use rules allow a traveller medicine sufficient for three months, or for the length of stay, with a prescription or medical report from the treating institution issued within six months. Vaccines and medicines that need medical supervision are excluded.^[2]

Travellers with controlled medicines apply in advance through the SFDA Controlled Drugs System, uploading a prescription, medical report, proof of identity and evidence of need, according to SFDA guidance reported in August 2025.^[3]

United Arab Emirates

Travellers may bring narcotic or psychotropic medicines within a quantity that does not exceed their need for up to three months. Using the federal pre-approval service is optional for visitors; without it, they must declare the medicines on arrival with the prescription and medical report. Transit passengers who stay in the port area do not need approval.^[4]

Qatar

Since August 2026, Qatar's Ministry of Public Health runs an electronic permit system for travellers carrying controlled medicines. Its guidance lists a prescription in English or Arabic issued within six months and stamped by a healthcare facility, a recent medical report, a passport or Qatar ID copy, and a signed undertaking that the medicine is for personal use.^{[5, 6]}

Oman

Oman's Ministry of Health allows up to three months of non-controlled prescribed medicine with a medical report. Controlled drugs need prior approval and a certified medical report or a prescription issued within six months, and approval covers one month's supply. For non-residents, the released quantity may not exceed one month or the length of stay, whichever is shorter.^[7]

When travel is not the right route

Hospital-only medicines, such as infusions, cell therapies and many cancer treatments, cannot be carried in a suitcase. They need a hospital request to the regulator and a controlled shipment.

In Saudi Arabia, medicines that need medical supervision are excluded from personal clearance and need a hospital route such as the Special Access Program.^{[2, 8]}

Kuwait and Bahrain

If you are travelling to Kuwait or Bahrain, check the current rules for medicines, especially narcotic and psychotropic drugs, with the health ministry or embassy before you travel, and carry a recent prescription and medical report.

For a hospital-supplied medicine in Bahrain, NHRA Circular 41 of 2020 sets the procedure: the hospital obtains permission before the purchase order.^[9]

How Reserve Meds helps

Reserve Meds is a digital health company. Medicines are supplied through a US-licensed pharmaceutical wholesale partner. We help families and treating doctors understand the route, prepare the documents the regulator or hospital asks for, arrange supply from the US once approval is in place, and keep everyone updated. We do not diagnose, prescribe or decide what a regulator approves.

We coordinate access to FDA-approved medicines only. Investigational medicines are only available through a manufacturer's expanded-access program requested by the treating physician; we can explain that route, but we do not supply them. Your coordination fee is quoted in writing for your case before you commit. No hidden charges. We give you a written timeline estimate for your case before you commit.

Sources for these answers: ^{[2, 4, 6, 7]}

Related

• Cold-chain medicines
• Your medicine is not registered: the options
• Answers to common access questions
• Named-patient access, explained
• US expanded access (compassionate use)

This page is general information, not medical or legal advice. It does not replace advice from your own doctor or the regulator.