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What is the procedure for a traveller visiting Singapore to bring in medications for personal consumption?
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Medicinal products may only be brought into Singapore through officially authorised/ licensed persons under the existing legislation. However, a flexible arrangement would be made for travellers who require certain medications for individual medical conditions. Please note the following for compliance:
- Quantity of the medications must not exceed three months' supply;
- "Prescription Only" medicines must be accompanied by a doctor's letter or prescription confirming the medical need of the traveller concerned; and
- The medications must not contain any narcotic drug or psychotropic substances under international control.
Narcotic/controlled drugs and psychotropic substances are generally prohibited. For travellers needing medications for personal use, special approval may be granted on a case-to-case basis.
The following details need to be furnished to Audit and Licensing Division (ALD) for consideration:
- Name, strength, quantity and dosage of the medication;
- Doctor's letter or prescription on the need for such medication; and
- Expected period of stay in Singapore.
The approval letter together with the doctor's letter or prescription should be produced to the Customs upon the traveller's entry into Singapore.
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Guidance for Travellers Bringing Personal Medications into Singapore
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This guidance document issued by the Health Products Regulation Group, Health Sciences Authority, provides travellers to Singapore with the current regulatory requirements for medicines brought into Singapore for personal use.
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Medicines containing a controlled substance
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If any of your medications contains ingredients classified as controlled substance listed in Appendix A, you would need to apply for an authorisation letter to bring these medications to Singapore. The authorisation letter will be issued by the Health Sciences Authority of Singapore. The application should preferably be submitted at least 2 weeks before your arrival date. We will process your application on receipt of the required Traveller's Medication Application. Upon approval, the authorisation letter will be sent to you through email/fax.
To apply for the authorisation letter, please download this application form and have the completed form and the necessary supporting documents submitted by:
Email to: hsa_info@hsa.gov.sg; or
Fax to:(65) 64789068; or
Mail to:
Audit and Licensing Division Health Sciences Authority 150 Cantonment Road, Cantonment Centre Blk A #01-02 Singapore 089762Tel: (65) 68663522
The following documents and information are required to be submitted with your application:
a) Names and dosages of the medicines (both brand names and names of active ingredients contained in the products)
b) Total quantity of each type of medicines that will be brought into Singapore
c) Your doctor's letter or prescription certifying the medical conditions for which the medicines are prescribed
d) Your travel details and intended length of stay in Singapore
e) Your passport particulars and contact details (address, fax number and/or email)
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Medicines not containing a controlled substance
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If your medicines do not contain any controlled substance listed in Appendix A, you may bring quantities not exceeding 3 months' supply without the need for an authorisation letter from the Health Sciences Authority of Singapore. However, you are required to have the necessary supporting documents namely, a doctor's letter or a copy of the prescription with you as proof that the medicines are for your personal use.
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Routine check upon arrival
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You are not required to declare your medicines on your arrival in Singapore. However, as Customs Officers may perform routine checks, please have all the supporting documents ready with you for inspection when requested. The documents should be kept with you throughout your stay in Singapore.
You are reminded not to sell or supply your medicines to anyone and to bring the remaining medicines with you when you leave Singapore.
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Availability of medicines in Singapore
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If you need additional supplies of medicines while you are in Singapore, please seek advice from a retail pharmacist to verify whether the medicines you need are regulated as prescription medicines in Singapore. You would need to consult a medical practitioner in Singapore if they are prescription medicines.
If the medications you need are not registered in Singapore and there are no suitable alternatives available locally, the doctor in Singapore may seek approval from the Health Sciences Authority of Singapore to import the medications for you.
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Helplines
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For further clarification, please email your enquiry to the Health Sciences Authority's information service at: hsa_info@hsa.gov.sg.
Alternatively, you may call Tel. (65) 6866 3522, (65) 6866 3592 or (65) 6866 3521 for assistance.
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Information for Visitors/Foreigners bringing personal medications into Singapore
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You are encouraged to check the HSA website that provides details of bringing personal medications into Singapore.
If any of your medications contains ingredients classified as controlled substances in Singapore, you would need to apply for an authorisation letter to bring these medications to Singapore. The authorisation letter will be issued by the Health Sciences Authority of Singapore. The application should preferably be submitted at least 2 weeks before your arrival date. We will process your application on receipt of the required Traveller's Medication Application. Upon approval, the authorisation letter will be sent to you through email/fax.
If your medications do not contain ingredients classified as controlled substances in Singapore, you may bring the medications of quantities not exceeding 3 months' supply with you without the need for an authorisation letter from the Health Sciences Authority of Singapore.
For prescription medications, please bring along with you a doctor's letter or a copy of the prescription verifying for the need for the medications concerned. You are not required to declare the medications upon your arrival in Singapore. However, as Customs Officers may perform routine checks, please have your doctor's letter or prescription ready with you for verification, when requested.
We would like to inform you that the medications are not to be sold or supplied in Singapore. It is an offence to sell or supply medicinal products that are subjected to control in Singapore without the required approvals.
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