Saudi Arabia mandates prior online approval for personal medicine

Indian travellers bound for Saudi Arabia are being urged to exercise caution and comply with new border protocols following the kingdom's introduction of a mandatory electronic clearance system for personal medications. The Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) has advised Indian travellers to obtain the necessary approvals for carrying medicines before travelling to Saudi Arabia. This comes after Saudi Arabia introduced an electronic service platform for obtaining prior permission for the clearance of medicines intended for personal use by individuals entering or leaving the country.

According to the NCB, certain medicines that are legally available in India or other countries may be prohibited or subject to restrictions in Saudi Arabia. It said that carrying medicines in excess of prescribed limits may also attract regulatory action. NCB has also advised travellers to consult the official list of restricted and prohibited medicines issued by the Saudi authorities prior to undertaking travel. The advisory comes as a critical alert for the thousands of Indian citizens travelling for work, pilgrimage, or tourism, as many drugs legally available over the counter or by prescription in India are strictly controlled or prohibited in Saudi Arabia.

Travellers are strongly advised to consult the official list of restricted substances and complete their online applications, including the submission of medical reports and valid prescriptions, well in advance of their departure to ensure compliance with international narcotics control regulations.