Travelling with 4-5 months medicine into China is a problem.. :?:

[Sal]

Few months back I was diagnosed with depression and I was required to take anti depressant pills. Now I got scholarship for higher education in China, I am worried how will I get these medicines in China. My doctor suggested me to write me a 4-5 months prescription so I can carry my medicine with me to china. Is it a good idea to carry 4 months medicine to China along with my doctors prescription or will I be objected by airport personnels :(

[pprendeville]

Just put them in your suitcase. We had plenty of meds going over in June (my wife takes eltroxin for an underactive thyroid) and put them in our suitcase (not in hand luggage taken on plane) and we had no problems. Maybe post up the name of your medication to see if someone knows if it can be got in China and also Google it's Chinese name/equivalent. Hope your scholarship goes well and best of luck in China.

[abcdefg]

My doctor suggested me to write me a 4-5 months prescription so I can carry my medicine with me to china.

Yes. Do that. Put them in your suitcase along with a copy of the prescription. No need to worry.

[Silent]

I agree with above respondents that if you put them in your luggage you most likely won't have any trouble. Nevertheless I think it's bad advice. Most likely no trouble may still be a huge amount of trouble if you run into some overactive border guard that wants to prove himself. (depending on the substances in the medicines).

You should verify whether it's a controlled substance in China and what the rules are for importing it into China. If you choose to just take it, which most likely will give you no trouble I agree on that, you do so on your own risk. You surely would not be the first to run into trouble due to taking 'simple regular' prescription drugs across a border.

[abcdefg]

OP -- What antidepressant is it?

[Sal]

Thanks everyone for your valuable advices. The anti depressant is 'Escitalopram' and brand name is "cheer up". Is it a controlled substance in China?

[abcdefg]

The anti depressant is 'Escitalopram' and brand name is "cheer up". Is it a controlled substance in China?

No, it's not. It's OK to bring in a supply of that medicine suitable to meet your needs while you are here. Five months is OK, even twice that should be fine. Keep the medicine in the original bottles that they came in from the pharmacy. Don't dump them all together into a plastic bag or plastic box. Then they will look like contraband.

Take a copy of your doctor's prescription. If you want to play it even more safe, ask him or her to also write you a brief letter authorizing your use of this medicine.

The letter can be very short, but needs to be written on his office letterhead stationary so that it looks official. It should say something along the lines of:

"I prescribed Escitalopram for my patient Mr. Xxxxx Yyyyy to treat a medical condition."

That's all that could possibly be needed. At China customs, don't mention the medication unless directly asked about it. Don't volunteer for "special processing." Go through the "nothing to declare" (green) lane on arrival.

To anticipate a question you will probably have later, when undergoing your required medical exam for your student visa, don't mention your depression or its treatment. Just lie on the history form and lie in the clinic when you go for the checkup. If you admit to having a mental illness, it will cause a lot of hassle. China is rather backward when it comes to acceptance of such things.

[Sal]

Thanks alot for your guidance abcdefg.

[abcdefg]

You're welcome. Hope you enjoy China.