Should I bring ibuprofen to Sri Lanka or is it easy to get locally?

1/20/2023 9:05:50 AM

I’ve now spent 2 weeks in Sri Lanka and it turns out ibuprofen is readily available in all pharmacies under the name Brufen.

I did bring some from home, but it’s nice to see it’s readily available here as well.

1/2/2023 11:10:09 AM

When importing drugs in a country (even something apparently as innocuous as Ibuprofen), one should always check import regulations (and possibly rules for any transit countries as well, if applicable).

Sri Lanka’s National Medecines Regulatory Agency says:

A person travelling to Sri Lanka can carry medicine for his personal use, without prior approval of the NMRA under the following conditions. The quantity of any single medicine required for the duration of his stay in Sri Lanka or the quantity required up to ninety days whichever is less. Prior approval of the NMRA should be obtain for quantities exceeding 90-day requirement.The medicine administered through intramuscular or intravenous route is not permitted. The medicine specified in Schedule III is not permitted. The medicine should be packed in the original container, if it is not in the original container, it should be appropriately labelled to identify the name and strength of the medicine with usage instructions. Medical records or prescription should be produced when necessary.

(emphasis mine).

So if you are coming for less than 90 days it should be fine to bring it with you, though a prescription would be useful. I couldn’t find Schedule III but I would be surprised if Ibuprofen was listed there. However pay attention to the fact that some formulations may include other active ingredients such as Codeine which may be restricted.

If you plan to stay more than 90 days, then it also states on the same page:

Importing Medicines for PERSONAL USE

If a particular medicine required by a patient is not registered or not available in Sri Lanka, NMRA allows import of such a medicine through a personal user Letter of Authorization.

The general public can apply for a personal user license by logging into https://www.enmra.nmra.gov.lk furnishing required details or by handing over the documents directly to NMRA during working hours.

The following documents are required:

  • Copy of a valid prescription issued by a registered medical Professional
  • Request letter by the patient or a guardian of the patient
  • Copy of the NIC/Passport /Driving license of the patient or the guardian
  • Application form signed by the prescriber

A maximum of 100 doses can be imported by using the Personal User License.

No fee is charged by NMRA for this purpose

(emphasis mine)

1/2/2023 6:00:00 PM

Take it. Even when something like that is available locally, do you want to have to figure out where to buy it and figure out how it is called and labelled locally while you need it? A pack of ibuprofen tablets is light and fairly small, so I don’t see a reason not to take it. Even a bottle of 72 gels commonly available here weighs 80g, including the bottle.

Medicine shortage is common lately and poor countries are disproportionately affected, so I would advise to take as much as you need. Even if it is normally available, it could be out-of-stock or you may end up in very long lineups common in Sri Lanka for many necessities.

The main concern for certain medication is that some countries do not allow the same as those in your home country but in the case of ibuprofen in Sri Lanka, you can take up to 90-day of supply for personal use.

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About me

Hello,My name is Aparna Patel,I’m a Travel Blogger and Photographer who travel the world full-time with my hubby.I like to share my travel experience.

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