Bringing Medicine To Japan

From HyogoAJET

One thing that differs from country to country is medicine, and some drugs that are perfectly legal in one country might be prohibited in another country. The following is a summary about the rules about bringing medicine into Japan.

[edit] Illegal Medicine

The following is a list of some drugs that are illegal in Japan. It was taken from the homepage of the Consulate General of Japan at Chicago, so some of the brands included might only be available in America.

• Tylenol Cold
• Nyquil
• Nyquil Liquicaps
• Actifed
• Sudafed
• Advil Cold & Sinus
• Dristan Cold ("No Drowsiness")
• Dristan Sinus
• Drixoral Sinus
• Vicks Inhaler
• Lomotil

This list is by no means definitive, and you should contact the Japanese Embassy or Consulate nearest you to make sure any medication you plan on bringing to Japan is legal.

[edit] Prescription Drugs

You are allowed to bring a one-month supply of prescription drugs (this includes birth control pills). If you want to bring more than the allowable amount, you have to obtain a Yakkan Shomei certificate from your nearest Japanese Embassy or Consulate. Your other options are to bring a presription from a doctor from back home and take it to a doctor in Japan, who can provide you with a prescription for the Japanese equivalent, or you can have someone from back home ship you a one-month supply each month.

[edit] Non-Prescription Drugs

You are allowed to bring a two-month supply of non-presription medication, as long as they are legal in Japan.

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