Expert: Roberto Gomes - 1/13/2008

Question
Where can i find the lists of allowed medicines to be brought here from a usa traveller? What are those medicines that allowed to bring here in the philippines and what are the documents required to show the philippine immigration customs once a usa traveller landed over here from an airplane?He is afraid that the phil immigration cusomt will rescue him even he has a written letter from his usa doctor and can show some medical records that he is a little sick and needs those lots of medicines here. Can he bring all his medicine like 20 kinds and 90 pcs each of them? he has allergic reaction to other medicines and it is dangerous for him to just buy any meds when he get here in the phils,so he wats to maintain it while he is here for a couple of months.Pls help.He cannot come for me over here without those meds and it is very imporatant for him.I am not sure if those medicines are all available here in the philippines pharmacy bcecause i have tried inquiring soem pharmacies here and says it is unavailable. Mostly hes taking are narcotics for his pain relievers and some are for infection.What he is worrying about was that when it was mentioned on us embassy site that illegal narcotics are strictly prohibited.When can us ay that a narcotics are illegal drugs when u have a docs prescrition.But he is afraid that phil embassy can deny it and doubt even he has a usa docs prescription and can put him into jail.He said that is very imporatnt to know first about his taking his prescribed doctors medicines here.How about if he ordered his medicines online wehn hes already here in the philippines? is it risky and customs can confiscate him?What are the risk?thank u very much  

Answer
Dear CJ,

Since Philippines customs webpage does not list all the regulations that cover you issue, the best you can do is to contact them to have an official answer to your query.
The Import Assessment Service is located at the G/F VCD Bldg. BOC, Port Area, Manila City and phone is
(632)527-4549

Best Regards,
R.Gomes