Carrying Controlled Substance Prescriptions on Upcoming Trip

Wow you have done some study in your life, a dentist and a pharmacist, well done.

I am a bit confused with the wording of your post, you state where you state:

"PDEA emailed me a letter with an attachment  which shows letters from my doctors with drug name, strength, quantity, and reason for prescribing."

So do they already have a copy of the letters from your doctors?



You also state "I know there is a way to legally take my prescriptions" is that the prescriptions or the medications?


Have you done a online search on this topic?



PS you did well to get an email out of PDEA at all!

My wording wasn't the best.  The attachment had  a list of requirements, such as a copy of the prescription, along with a letter from the prescribing doctor stating the drug name, strength, quantity, and medical condition it is being prescribed for. 

I saw my internist today, and he was a real jerk, acting like writing a simple letter would jeopardize his medical license.  He then started giving me travel advice, basically telling me not to travel there.  I responded that I wasn't asking him to  do anything illegal, immoral or unethical, and that it was my choice to vacation where I please.  It was a very unpleasant encounter.  He finally said he would write a "To Whom it may Concern" letter, and he would not email it to PDEA, but it was up to me to do so.

The doctor also said that I could be thrown into jail, etc., how the Philippines was the Wild West, etc.

Carrying my prescriptions was ambiguous, I agree, but I meant the medications in the prescription bottles. 

Here is a copy of the email I got from PDEA:


cs@pdea.gov.ph
Attachments
Wed, Dec 5, 3:36 AM (2 days ago)
to me

December 5, 2018

Ref. No. 579/CSMisc/2018


Dear XXXXXX:


This has reference to your online inquiry received through cs@pdea.gov.ph dated November 29, 2018 regarding documentary requirements in carrying the following drug preparations during your travel to the Philippines:


Please be informed that XXXXXXXX and XXXXXXXX are classified as controlled drugs in the Philippines. Please refer to our guideline for International Travelers with pre-existing medical conditions carrying Narcotic and Psychotropic Substances in our website
www.pdea.gov.phhttp://pdea.gov.ph/images/ComplianceSer … traveller- for_posting15Nov2016.pdf

Just follow the rules, stay situationally aware and go for it.


In regards to your internist, not much any one can do to help you with that, except you and him/her.

I spoke to people two years ago in a similar situation and they said their biggest problem was the fact that their prescribed controlled substances meant they were never allowed to have more than 30 days worth of meds.  They were suffering from PTSD.  That 30 day rule meant that they needed to get a refill out of country.  From what they said it sounded like they needed to see a doctor in Ecuador to get a prescription to fill in Ecuador at 3 times the USA price.  You may have a problem trying to show up with 60 days of meds no matter what other paperwork you have.  Good luck.

The first document / link is very clear.  The second document / link the legislation.

http://pdea.gov.ph/images/ComplianceSer … ov2016.pdfhttps://www.ddb.gov.ph/images/Board_Reg … on_vr3.pdf

Well I put all my prescriptions (original bottle) with a printed list in my carry on. Customs just waived me through without checking my carry on. I don't know if I had anything illegal, but before leaving my Doctor prescribed a pain pill (10) for my long walks through the airport  (hip pain).

You can wait to you get here and make an appointment to get a prescription from a Philippine Doctor, just show him any paperwork you have.

W9XR wrote:

Well I put all my prescriptions (original bottle) with a printed list in my carry on. Customs just waived me through without checking my carry on. I don't know if I had anything illegal, but before leaving my Doctor prescribed a pain pill (10) for my long walks through the airport  (hip pain).

You can wait to you get here and make an appointment to get a prescription from a Philippine Doctor, just show him any paperwork you have.

Depending on what is prescribed and how often the meds are to be taken, it could be a while between doses.  If you take a dose right before check in it could be 24 hours later until you have your luggage in Manila.  Then it is a matter of finding a doctor, getting a script and filling the script.  Nothing happens in a hurry in the Philippines   No way you want to try to bring controlled substances into Manila without the proper paperwork.

I agree with you, but if were me, I would have done some planning in advance. First I would find a Doctor online or ask this group for a recommendation of a Doctor and call him in advance and tell him the circumstances and maybe he will make the appointment in advance. Second I would plan my last dose on flight just before I landed in the Philippines.

Now for my real experience. I needed cataract surgery through my stateside insurance, I tried to schedule this in advance but ran into roadblocks (sounds like the Philippines, right?) First I needed a referral from my primary Doctor (took four weeks to get his appointment)  then it would take weeks to get the eye doctors appointment. Then it would take weeks to get the surgery appointment. Then they wanted me to wait weeks after surgery to fly.

So in advance I made an appointment with an eye Doctor at St. Lukes (Philippines, associated with the mayo clinic). Got off the plane Monday morning, had the appointment on Wednesday (tests), Doctor got the results and had the surgery on Saturday. The second eye the following Saturday.  Results from not being able to read street signs, loss of color discrimination, poor night vision and black print on the computer screen being grey. Now no glasses except for reading that are off the shelf glasses. Vivid colors that jump out, I didn't know some of my pills were yellow. Eyesight now 20/15.

My doctor's seem reluctant to compose a letter that I am being prescribed my meds for a legit medical reason. The DEA has scared the doctors to the point that they are more concerned with covering their asses than do what is best for their patients.

I got one letter, but haven't heard back from my pain management doctor.

Do a Google Search: DOH-FDA BOC Joint Circular-Personal Use. What you can bring into the country is so restrictive you better be prepared to jump through hoops & each corresponding hoop gets smaller and smaller until you give up. Example: Toys-10 pieces, Bar Soap-2 Kg, PRESCRIPTION DRUGS-Exact amount of pills in the prescription with the license number of the Physicians . . . . . . . . . . SPECIAL NOTE: You even need a prescription for low dose Aspirins & quantity. . . . . Lots of Luck.