Question about taking Prescription Medications & Medical Devices into Japan
We are on the Essence of Japan tour in October 2016. I have not seen the subject of traveling with medications in Japan addressed within this forum before, and am hoping someone can help. I have not had any luck getting information from the Japanese Embassy...go figure, and information via various government websites is not entirely clear on the process one must abide by. I have "failed back surgery syndrome" and take a minimal amount of hydrocodone and tramadol to manage chronic pain. These meds are prescribed (legally!) by my orthopedic surgeon. From what I'm reading on-line, it appears that hydrocodone for medical use is so highly regulated, that a visitor to Japan must apply, and be approved for an "Import/Export" license in order to legally travel with this drug in Japan. Just wondering if anyone has gone through this process? Also am wondering whether one has to have a doctor's letter to bring any type of prescription medication or medical device (TENS) into Japan?
0
Comments
http://blogs.wsj.com/briefly/2015/06/19/5-things-for-travelers-to-know-about-drug-enforcement-in-japan/
http://japan.usembassy.gov/mobile//e/acs/tacs-medimport.html
After talking to my hubby and seeing these websites. He says Japanese customs officers can vary considerably, you could chance having a bottle of these meds with your name on and a Drs. Script, but depending on the officer, you could be in trouble as it also mentions in some of these websites.
Good news is , you have plenty of time to get the forms and do more research. We would not risk arrest and would want to have the correct documentation with us.