The Egyptian Ministry of Health and Population has issued an urgent, “critically important” warning to all travelers – both Egyptian and foreign – regarding a list of medications strictly prohibited from being carried while traveling abroad.
This warning comes because these medications are included in the international monitoring schedules of the World Health Organization and Interpol.
Carrying them may expose the traveler to severe legal penalties, potentially leading to imprisonment in certain countries.
The ministry stressed that carrying medications is no longer a routine matter but a sensitive legal issue that requires strict adherence to the legislation of each destination country, especially concerning controlled substances and psychotropic drugs.
Common drugs to watch out for abroad
The ministry indicated that the categories subject to international control include:
- Medications containing narcotics (such as opiates).
- Sedatives, stimulants, and psychotropic substances.
Among the common medications that travelers must avoid carrying are:
- Tramadol
- Codeine (found in some cold and cough medicines)
- Xanax (Alprazolam)
- Valium (Diazepam)
- Lyrica (Pregabalin)
Crucial advice before departure
The ministry urged travelers to verify the local laws of their destination country beforehand, as regulations differ drastically from one place to another.
What might be permissible in a country like the UAE could be completely prohibited in Japan or other nations.
It demanded that everyone take proactive measures, including:
- Contacting the embassy or consulate of the country they intend to visit.
- Reviewing the official websites of the health and customs ministries in those countries.
- Consulting the updated international lists via the official WHO website.
