I just read an old thread from 2007 that CODEINE is banned in Greece and Corfu... I'm in a Pain Management program and taking something WAY, WAY,WAY stronger called "Percocet/Oxycodone" and I get about 180 pills a month. And I JUST watched "Midnight Express" for the first time last night... Holy Schniekes... can I go to prison if I hadn't accidently seen that thread? I've already got problems walking with my joint disease, I can't be in a prison - I'm in enough pain every day just by waking up!
Because it's such a strong narcotic pain killer, the USA WILL NOT give you a "refill/repeat" before 30 days, its impossible! I can bring last month's empty bottle, but I can not get an early refill. Even if you come into pain management 1 day early the will NOT refill/repeat. 30 days and that's the rule here.
I already purchased my airline ticket. It never occured that Europe would be this harsh. I've always just carried my presciptions with me in my purse and no one has ever asked or searched... but after watching that movie last night with my knees and hips - I don't want to risk being tossed into prison for "possession" for having a health condition that requires me to be on heavy narcotics in order to function and live life to the fullest. There are NO NON-Narcotic alternatives I can take. I started with those, but, they didn't work, I couldn't walk or get out of bed on those. Percocet gave me my life back - I was finally able to walk, work and travel.
This is outrageous that countries discriminate against people with legit medical problems! Alchohol & Tobbacco has NO redeeming BENEFITS - it's pure recreation and that's legal, so, how come MEDICINE is ILLEGAL?!?!?!
Message posted by C4owner on 24 June 2011 at 10:39am - IP Logged
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I take co-drydomol for pain in my knees which has paracetomol/codeine phosphate in it and never had an issue.
I have yet to see anyone's bags searched on arrival at Corfu either and whilst on holiday my wife was prescribed LonaridN which are Paracetomol/caffiene/codeine phosphate and bought at a local chemist
Oxycodone (OxyContin and other brand names) is an opioid analgesic medication synthesized from opium-derived sources and so is codeine phosphate
The drug laws in some countries make anything opium based illegal however:
53. Lonely Planet says that it is illegal to bring Codeine into the country and I use a prescription drug that contains codeine. Will I have any problems? Who can I contact to get the official ruling?
Nobody will put you in jail for having a drug with codeine in it and unless you tell them nobody will know. If you have a perscription you have nothing to worry about. E-mail Tom Mazarakis and he can give you the un-official ruling which will be closer to reality to further reassure you. This is what he says:
"Don't worry about it. There are hundreds of drugs that are considered to be controlled substances in Greece, just as they are throughout the world. Most of these drugs, including those that contain codeine, require a physician' prescription. If you have such a prescription, the customs authorities will not give you any problem. Over 12 million tourists visit Greece every year and probably half of them take all kinds of prescription medication that is necessary for their health. Obviously, the Greek authorities are very well aware of this fact and will certainly never do anything that would jeopardize anyone's physical well being.
Therefore, go ahead and bring all the medications you expect to need during your stay in Greece and as long as you have a bonafide prescription you will be within the parameters of Greek law on this issue."
Forgot to say that the prescription required a Doctors examination (70 euro) a letter from the Doctor and a written prescription to be handed to the Pharmacy
The prescription itself cost 5.6 euro...
So...
If you think you will run out of medication, get a letter from your Doctor outlining your condition and listing the prescribed medication to take with you (showing his contact details).
You can then go to a Greek Doctor with the information, explain the situation and ask for a prescription for the medication you require.
Message posted by SusieH on 24 June 2011 at 11:54am - IP Logged
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Ask your doctor for an extra prescription before you go so you have double the quantity you need. ( in case of loss etc,) do not pack them in the same bags, take one lot as hand luggage. Keep them in the original bottles prescribed by the chemist and get a letter from the doctor explaining why you need them and they are legally prescribed . Also carry a copy of the prescription. In fact my husband and I carry each others spare medication in our hand luggage
It is not illegal to have these drugs so long as they are on prescription. It is the illegal aspect they are trying to control
Heroin in illegal in the UK but prescribed morphine (which is in effect heroin) is not. It is the same the word over
We carry syringes in our hand luggage and have never been questioned about them even though they clearly show up on the Xrays. But if we are ever asked we have a copy of the prescription and a doctors letter to cover us
Enjoy your holiday!!!
Message posted by The Grocer on 24 June 2011 at 6:43pm - IP Logged
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I am very surprised (SusieH) that you are not challenged regarding the carrying of syringes, in fact actually most concerned in respect of the carriers security. (This is in no way personal to you).
It was once common practice for airlines to request the doctors letter in respect of medication requiring injection etc., and this was normally noted at the check in desk. Air side cabin crew would sometimes request they be allowed to stow syringes for obvious reasons.
Message posted by maggy on 24 June 2011 at 6:59pm - IP Logged
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Susie, I don't think katslater can get extra tablets or a repeat prescription from her U.S.A doctor before her prescription medication has all gone, it's apparently the law in her country.
Message posted by GEMINI43 on 24 June 2011 at 8:12pm - IP Logged
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Re codeine based products,I have been on them for years & take them with me to Corfu,never had a problem with getting stopped & in any case one country cannot stop you from taking your prescribed medication that your own countries Dr's have prescribed,like its already been said on here all the Greeks worry about is illegal taking of drugs & rightly so.
As to taking syringes I am diabetic & have never had a problem,I put my pen(thats what they look like now the syringes) & blood testing equipment into the tray with my watch ,phone,belt etc at airport security & no problem at all.
Happy hols to all still to go,ask me if I'm jealous,bet your life I am.
Pat x
Message posted by katslater on 25 June 2011 at 6:56am - IP Logged
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Quote: Originally posted by C4owner on 24 June 2011
I take co-drydomol for pain in my knees which has paracetomol/codeine phosphate in it and never had an issue.
I have yet to see anyone's bags searched on arrival at Corfu either and whilst on holiday my wife was prescribed LonaridN which are Paracetomol/caffiene/codeine phosphate and bought at a local chemist
Oxycodone (OxyContin and other brand names) is an opioid analgesic medication synthesized from opium-derived sources and so is codeine phosphate
The drug laws in some countries make anything opium based illegal however:
53. Lonely Planet says that it is illegal to bring Codeine into the country and I use a prescription drug that contains codeine. Will I have any problems? Who can I contact to get the official ruling?
Nobody will put you in jail for having a drug with codeine in it and unless you tell them nobody will know. If you have a perscription you have nothing to worry about. E-mail Tom Mazarakis and he can give you the un-official ruling which will be closer to reality to further reassure you. This is what he says:
"Don't worry about it. There are hundreds of drugs that are considered to be controlled substances in Greece, just as they are throughout the world. Most of these drugs, including those that contain codeine, require a physician' prescription. If you have such a prescription, the customs authorities will not give you any problem. Over 12 million tourists visit Greece every year and probably half of them take all kinds of prescription medication that is necessary for their health. Obviously, the Greek authorities are very well aware of this fact and will certainly never do anything that would jeopardize anyone's physical well being.
Therefore, go ahead and bring all the medications you expect to need during your stay in Greece and as long as you have a bonafide prescription you will be within the parameters of Greek law on this issue."
Thank you SO MUCH, this is really, very helpful! I actually used to buy the over-the-counter paracetmol/codiene years ago before this got really bad, and the used to work perfect. I'd actually stock up and bring them back to the USA since America is really uptight about writing out long term prescriptions for narcotic pain killers until you get the point where I was: bedridden. Thank you for this information. I was also a BIT concerned about the amount of pills I get: 180 a month. Might Customs question why anyone would need so many pills every single month? Cheers!
Message posted by katslater on 25 June 2011 at 7:05am - IP Logged
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Quote: Originally posted by C4owner on 24 June 2011
Forgot to say that the prescription required a Doctors examination (70 euro) a letter from the Doctor and a written prescription to be handed to the Pharmacy
The prescription itself cost 5.6 euro...
So...
If you think you will run out of medication, get a letter from your Doctor outlining your condition and listing the prescribed medication to take with you (showing his contact details).
You can then go to a Greek Doctor with the information, explain the situation and ask for a prescription for the medication you require.
Oh! That's a great idea! I didn't think of that. Just in case something happens, (prescription gets lost or stolen) In America, if you are on pain management this is how it works: you come into your doctor's office once a month. He assesses if you're status is the same or getting worse. He hand writes on a prescription pad, your 30 day supply of pain meds - and you guard them... because if anything happens to them or you run out too soon before the 30 days are up - you can NOT, under any circumstances get another prescription. They do this, because unfortunately, some people on pain management become addicted and they will end up taking their whole month's supply in just a few days. By having a strict, across the board: 1 prescription every 30 days, no acceptions... I guess they think it prevents abuse. Off topic: this makes me feel bad when I watch the news and hear about teenagers stealing/taking their parents/grandparent's pain pills to get high knowing their poor parents will have to suffer until their next appointment.
How is it over in the U.K.? How does pain management work there?
I'll get a doctor's note in case I need to see a doctor in Greece or Corfu. Thanks for the reminder. I didn't even think about that! Cheers!
Message posted by katslater on 25 June 2011 at 7:10am - IP Logged
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Quote: Originally posted by SusieH on 24 June 2011
You are worrying unnecessarily
Ask your doctor for an extra prescription before you go so you have double the quantity you need. ( in case of loss etc,) do not pack them in the same bags, take one lot as hand luggage. Keep them in the original bottles prescribed by the chemist and get a letter from the doctor explaining why you need them and they are legally prescribed . Also carry a copy of the prescription. In fact my husband and I carry each others spare medication in our hand luggage
It is not illegal to have these drugs so long as they are on prescription. It is the illegal aspect they are trying to control
Heroin in illegal in the UK but prescribed morphine (which is in effect heroin) is not. It is the same the word over
We carry syringes in our hand luggage and have never been questioned about them even though they clearly show up on the Xrays. But if we are ever asked we have a copy of the prescription and a doctors letter to cover us
Enjoy your holiday!!!
Thank's Susie, that's nice of you - but I'm in a Pain Management program and the rules are very, very strict. You have to sign a contract stating that you promise not to let any other type of doctor prescribe narcotics, including surgeons (even if you have major surgery) denstist, no other doctor can write you a prescription except your pain management doctor - forever.
AND, you only get a certain amount of pills that MUST last you 30 days. If someone steals them - your pain management doctor legally can not (and will not) give you a replacement, you will have to wait until your next scheduled appointment.
But, thank you Susie for the other information - all this is making me feel much better. I was really in a panic the past few days. Cheers!
Message posted by katslater on 25 June 2011 at 7:11am - IP Logged
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Quote: Originally posted by maggy on 24 June 2011
Susie, I don't think katslater can get extra tablets or a repeat prescription from her U.S.A doctor before her prescription medication has all gone, it's apparently the law in her country.
Absolutely correct maggy. America's really uptight about pain meds. Cheers!
Message posted by katslater on 25 June 2011 at 7:17am - IP Logged
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Quote: Originally posted by GEMINI43 on 24 June 2011
Re codeine based products,I have been on them for years & take them with me to Corfu,never had a problem with getting stopped & in any case one country cannot stop you from taking your prescribed medication that your own countries Dr's have prescribed,like its already been said on here all the Greeks worry about is illegal taking of drugs & rightly so.
As to taking syringes I am diabetic & have never had a problem,I put my pen(thats what they look like now the syringes) & blood testing equipment into the tray with my watch ,phone,belt etc at airport security & no problem at all.
Happy hols to all still to go,ask me if I'm jealous,bet your life I am.
Pat x
Thank you so much Pat! That's typically been my experience as well - leaving the USA - no one has ever searched my purse. I feel more relaxed now after hearing from you and several other members, that as long as it's IN the presciption bottle that the pharmacists give you (the lable includes your name, doctor's name, name of medication, directions on how to take it, and the phone number of the pharmacy and the date the pills were filled) Thank you.
I wish I could take you with me!!!!! Cheers!
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