Can I bring NON prescription drugs to Singapore?

[*NiC*]

Hello,

we are about to move to Singapore (in 2 weeks). Although I've been going through all the Health Science Authority Hompage and drug lists I still don't know whether I can bring non prescription drugs such as Aspirin, Iboprofen, Strepsils, herb based stuff etc...

Anyone any idea where to find info about that? Or does anyone know if I can take it with or without declaration? Obviously no Doc will write a letter as it is "non prescriptional".

Thanks for Help!

[JR8]

In general terms I'd say yes. Or put another way we've never given a second thought what's in our medicine cabinet when we ship back to Singapore (SG).

The only thing you might want to look more closely at - if it applies - are drugs that you can get over the counter in one country but might be controlled in SG. This revolves around a theme of potential narcotics/tranquilisers. Pseudephedrine, Valium, that kind of thing...

[*NiC*]

Just what I wanted to hear

I have only one that needs to be declared, Aspirin Complex, which contains Pseudephedrine. The rest is all ok... I think.

Thanks!

[JR8]

Just what I wanted to hear

I have only one that needs to be declared, Aspirin Complex, which contains Pseudephedrine. The rest is all ok... I think.

Thanks!

Are you really sure you have a declare a pack or two of that?

Put another way it was not so long ago I was at the pharmacy counter at Guardian/Watsons in Ngee Ann City and two real ocker Aussie guys in front of me were schmoozing the pharmacist as she bagged up certainly 1000 pseudephedrine tablets for them. This took a long while and as I remarked in passing to them 'Jeez you guys must have really bad congestion'. One turned around, a sun-blasted 50 years old's face on a 30 year old and said 'Yes, allergies, really bad'.

Before they'd paid and left they'd invited the pharmacist and several random women in the queue and shop to a party they were hosting that night.

Really I think your pack of Asprin'+' is not going to figure on the radar

[*NiC*]

Well, maybe you're right and I'm a bit paranoid. javascript:emoticon('8-[')
You know its a big pack of 20 sachets...

And the moving company also scared me a bit in saying if the customs look in our container and see something they don't like, the whole container will go back and we have to pay...

Maybe I'll pack it in my suitcase...? What happens if they catch you?

[ecureilx]

I know people who had medication confiscated at the airport ... not lethal, but almost there there type ..

and Singapore has been warning on 'unapproved' medicine, i.e. not registered by HSA/Approved by HSA

If caught, it will be a simple case of confiscation or ... if it is really needed, they will give you a grace period to get a local doctor prescription before you can claim it ...

JR8: I would have reported the pharmacist to HSA .... Pseudephedrine is a dangerous drug .. and a lot of addicts around prove it ...

[*NiC*]

Thanks guys, I think I'll try the suitcase. At least I dont risk a container going back...

But you are right, my cousin, who is a pharmacist, told me that you can make a drug out of the Pseudephedrine but she also said that you need a huge amount of Aspirin complex as it contains not very much...

[Strong Eagle]

I bring in a couple of 500 tablet bottles of ibuprofen each year... because it si so danged expensive. Also a years supply of renatidine... also expensive. Last Christmas I had no fewer than 3000 ibuprofen tablets in my suitcase, brought in for others... not a peep.

[*NiC*]

@Strong Eagle; Really? 3000?! You must be in agony!! *lol*

[nakatago]

@Strong Eagle; Really? 3000?! You must be in agony!! *lol*

He said "for others."

[JR8]

JR8: I would have reported the pharmacist to HSA .... Pseudephedrine is a dangerous drug .. and a lot of addicts around prove it ...

I'm not so kaypoh lah

[Mary Hatch Bailey]

When the kids were younger we used to bring back a whole freakin' pharmacy ~ we had drugs for every contingency. If we didn't need them, someone you knew certainly did. Now it's mostly Advil and maybe a cold remedy, but either way, we've never been approached by anyone with so much as a raised eyebrow.

[x9200]

Well, maybe you're right and I'm a bit paranoid. javascript:emoticon('8-[')
You know its a big pack of 20 sachets...

A friend of mine ended up in the court for trying to bring back to EU a single, opened pack of some painkiller. I don't remember the name but it was a very popular stuff and completely legal only few years back so they just bought it abroad during their holiday in Egypt as the name was familiar, used there and kept what left forgetting about it until the customs got them. As Singapore got its reputation when it comes to drugs I would say you are not paranoid at all.

[ecureilx]

As Singapore got its reputation when it comes to drugs I would say you are not paranoid at all.

Things I have seen confiscated at Woodlands Checkpoints ... Contraceptive Pills, sleeping pills, herbal pills ... anti septic creams, anti viral stuff, and the like .. and anti biotics .. and more

And yes, it is not paranoid to worry about Singapore customs ...

JR8: You would have done a service .. as I understand Pseudephedrine can be used to make a potent party drug .. no idea how it happens .. just that's what my better half said ...

[x9200]

But lets also say that the local authorities including the police and the customs are very reasonable. Of course if you try to smuggle the real drugs (narcotics) there will be no mercy and rightly so, but coming with a reasonable amount of typical medicines, even if it may contain some controlled components you will probably end up having them confiscated (the worst scenario). Unlike authorities in many other countries in Singapore they use a lot of common sense and apply the right weight to different matters.