Procedure per DHA — Dubai Health Authority (dha.gov.ae). Fees and timelines change — check the authority's website. We don't invent numbers.
How controlled medicines work in the UAE
- 1
Know which category your medicine falls into
Narcotic and psychotropic drugs are treated as controlled — Class A, or CDa. A separate group, Class B (CDb), is described as semi-controlled. Controlled medicines themselves are given to patients with acute and chronic diseases in line with modern medical practice, so being on one of these medicines is normal — the rules are about how they are handled, not about denying treatment.
- 2
Understand that these medicines are not freely available
Narcotic, psychotropic and other controlled drugs of Class A or B are neither freely available in the UAE nor freely importable into the country. Do not assume you can simply buy a controlled medicine over the counter or carry an unlimited supply across the border.
- 3
Arrange a permit before importing certain medicines
To import some medicines you are required to receive a permit from the Ministry of Health and Prevention. Sort this out ahead of your trip rather than at the airport, and keep your documentation together.
Documents:Import permit (MoHAP)Doctor's prescription - 4
Follow the correct prescription route
Prescription rules vary by category and emirate. In the emirate of Abu Dhabi, a narcotic can be prescribed only by a physician licensed by HAAD, for an in-patient, and must be written on the approved narcotic prescription form. For psychotropic CDb drugs there are no special prescription requirements for in- or out-patients, so these are ordered using a normal medical prescription.
Documents:Approved narcotic prescription formNormal medical prescription - 5
Check the current details with the authority
Rules, required documents and any charges can change over time. Before you import a medicine or fill a prescription, confirm the current requirements on the DHA and Ministry of Health and Prevention websites so you are working from up-to-date information.
Fees and timelines may change — verify with the official source.
Who provides this service in Dubai
Real companies from Google Maps — live ratings and reviews.
InsuranceMarket.ae
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Lifecare International Insurance Brokers
4.9(472)Millennium Executive Tower - Suite 205 - Sheikh Zayed Rd - Trade Center First - Dubai - United Arab Emirates
Unitrust Insurance Brokers LLC - Insurance Broker in Dubai
4.8(411)& 2402, Al Moosa Tower 2 - Office 2401 - Sheikh Zayed Rd - Trade Center First - Dubai - United Arab Emirates
InsurancePolicy.ae
4.9(491)41-B Zomorodah Building - شارع ام هرير - الكرامة - دبي - United Arab Emirates
Earnest Insurance Brokers (L.L.C)
4.9(2621)Offices 112, 113, 1st Floor - Facing VOLKSWAGEN showroom, Al Shafar Investment Building - شارع الشيخ زايد - near On Passive Metro Station 3rd Interchange - القوز الصناعية الأولى - القوز - دبي - United Arab Emirates
Petra Insurance Broker L.L.C.
4.9(430)1701 - Anantara Downtown Dubai - Hotel - الخليج التجاري - دبي - United Arab Emirates
We can help you get this right
Sorting out permits, prescriptions and paperwork for controlled medicines can be stressful when you are new to Dubai. Our relocation team helps residents handle exactly this — pointing you to the right authority, the right forms and the right steps so nothing gets held up.
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