Can you bring medication to Philippines?
Short answer
Depends on specifics
Controlled medication
depends on specificsUnder Dangerous Drugs Board Regulation No. 1, Series of 2014, Section 35, a traveler entering, leaving, or passing through the Philippines who is under treatment for a medical condition may possess a dangerous drug or a drug preparation containing a controlled chemical, in a quantity reasonable for that treatment, when prescribed by a physician. For a supply of up to 30 days, the traveler must carry: (a) a letter from the attending physician describing the medical condition, (b) the physician's prescription listing the trade and generic names of the drug, and the medicine in its original, properly labeled container — no advance PDEA permit is required for this 30-day case.
The regulation governs 'dangerous drugs' and 'drug preparations containing a controlled chemical' generally (as scheduled under RA 9165, the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002) rather than naming specific brands like Adderall or Xanax; it does not itself state which named medicines fall in which schedule. Common stimulants (amphetamine, methylphenidate), benzodiazepines (diazepam, alprazolam, clonazepam) and opioid painkillers (codeine, oxycodone) are the general classes of substance this regime is understood to cover, but travelers should confirm their specific medicine's PH classification with PDEA before travel. Outgoing travelers must also check the destination country's own requirements.
Also covers: controlled substance, dangerous drug, narcotic medication, psychotropic medication, adderall, amphetamine, ritalin, methylphenidate, xanax, alprazolam, valium, diazepam, klonopin, clonazepam
Check your specific trip →Compare medication in every destination →Full Philippines guide →
Other things to check for Philippines
Informational only — not legal advice. Customs rules change; confirm with the official source above before you travel. See update history