Dutch vacationers warned of drug laws abroad

With the summer holiday around the corner pharmacists are warning vacationers to not accidentally become drug smugglers. Some medications fall under the Opium Act and can get a vacation goer into a lot of trouble if taken across the border without a valid medical certificate, which has to be handed in four weeks prior to departure. These medicines include conventional medicines such as those taken for ADHD with methylphenidate as active ingredient or sleeping pills and sedatives such as diazepam and oxazepam, Metro reports. These medicines can not be taken into another country without an official medical certificate. There are two different medical certificates, depending on the destination. People traveling to the Schengen area who want to take medicines along that fall under the Opium act. will need a Schengen Certificate. This certificate must be singed by the doctor who prescribed the drugs. Then it must be submitted to the CAK, the agency issuing certificates for medicines during traveling, at least four weeks before departure by post or email. This certificate is valid for 30 days, but up to 6 consecutive certificates can be requested for longer holidays. People traveling outside the Schengen area will need an English medical certificate. This certificate must be drawn up and signed by the physician and sent to the CAK by post, also at least four weeks prior to departure. The certificate must then be legalized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. This certificate is valid for one year.