1. Exports of pharmaceuticals containing controlled substances to non-Schengen countries by sick travellers under Article 42 paragraph 1 of the Ordinance on the Control of Narcotic Drugs (BetmKV dated 25 May 2011 - SR 812.121.1).
When you plan to travel to countries that do not belong to the Schengen area, we recommend that you contact your local consulate of your destination country to enquire about the relevant regulations for that country. The contact addresses of the foreign consulates in Switzerland can be found on the website of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs:
Information for sick travellers (Status: September 2011)
Medical certificate for transporting pharmaceuticals containing controlled substances
Certain countries require travellers transporting pharmaceuticals containing controlled substances to be able to present a medical certificate. Ask the consulate whether this is necessary for the country you are visiting. You can download a template certificate from the Swissmedic website in four languages (English/German/French/Italian):
Template for the medical certificate
Licence from the destination country
Certain countries require travellers to obtain prior licence to transport pharmaceuticals containing controlled substances. Before your trip you should contact the consulate or competent authority in the country you intend to visit in good time to enquire whether a licence is necessary. If a licence is required, you must apply to the competent national authority in the country you intend to visit.
Permitted quantities
Even if they permit travellers to transport pharmaceuticals containing controlled substances, many countries allow only a certain quantity to be imported, corresponding to the amount required for about 30 days' treatment. This is in accordance with the recommendations of the United Nations.
Make sure you apply for your licence in good time. Swissmedic does not issue any export licence for travellers transporting pharmaceuticals containing controlled substances for personal medical use.
2. Importing pharmaceuticals containing controlled substances into Switzerland under Article 41 of the Ordinance on the Control of Narcotic Drugs (BetmKV dated 25 May 2011 - SR 812.121.1).
Pharmaceuticals containing internationally controlled substances for medical use may be imported into Switzerland in quantities required for 30 days' treatment. It is not permitted to import such products for third parties. Import regulations also apply to travellers in transit.
Template for medical certificate
Medical certificate template for patients who need to take narcotics and/or psychotropic substances with them when travelling abroad for their own personal treatment.
The template provided by Swissmedic has been adapted with some minor changes from the "GUIDELINES FOR NATIONAL REGULATIONS CONCERNING TRAVELLERS UNDER TREATMENT WITH INTERNATIONALLY CONTROLLED DRUGS" from the United Nations Office on Drugs & Crime (UNODC). This is not an officially recognized form, so you should take account of the national regulations of the destination or transit countries.
Exporting narcotics for personal treatment from Switzerland is in principle permitted under Article 42 paragraph 1 of the Ordinance on the Control of Narcotic Drugs (BetmKV, SR 812.121.1) dated 25 May 2011 in quantities required for 30 days' treatment without an export licence. However, Swissmedic recommends that travellers transporting prescribed medical preparations abroad should always carry a medical certificate with them. Please note that medical preparations such as Valium®, for example, and other psychotropic substances are also classed as narcotic drugs and are subject to control in most countries.
For those countries requesting that travellers apply for prior licence when transporting narcotic drugs, the template may be used as an application form for the competent authorities in the destination country.