Taking special-import medicines home from Boao Lecheng

Ask the treating hospital about eligibility

Lecheng’s 2023 take-away rules replaced the 2022 medicines-only rules. Eligible oral, topical and certain subcutaneous medicines may be taken away for the named patient’s own use after assessment. The hospital determines suitability, quantity and the follow-up plan; a prescription does not mean every special-import medicine can leave the hospital.

Complete the hospital’s filing

• Confirm the take-away plan, emergency arrangements and consent documents.
• Ask the hospital to complete the required traceability-platform filing.
• Keep the patient-specific labels, traceability codes and accompanying instructions.
• Learn how to upload required package-opening and final-use photographs or videos, and how follow-up will work.

Check the next border separately

Permission to take medicine away from a Lecheng hospital does not itself establish permission to import it into another country. Before travel, ask the destination’s medicines regulator or customs authority about the active ingredient, approval status, quantity and any advance authorisation. For example, the US FDA’s personal-importation policy is conditional, not a general entitlement to bring in unapproved medicines.

Prepare for the journey

Ask the pharmacy for prescription and treatment records, storage instructions and an appropriate travel plan. Check the carrier’s requirements for medicines and cooling materials. Keep the hospital’s dedicated packaging intact and do not sell or give the medicine to someone else.

Official sources

• Hainan: 2023 take-away special-import medicine and device rules
• FDA: Personal Importation

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