Bringing ED medication into the Philippines

What are the rules for bringing medicine into the Philippines?

The main rule is DOH-FDA-BOC Joint Circular No. 1, issued on 22 June 2015 by the Department of Health, the Food and Drug Administration and the Bureau of Customs. It allows travellers to bring FDA-regulated products, including medicines, for personal use without prior FDA clearance, as long as they stay within the quantity limits.

As summarised by the Philippine Embassy in Berlin, the circular says:

• Prescription medicines may be brought in up to the quantity or volume shown on the physician's prescription, and the actual prescription must be presented.
• Travellers taking prescription tablets or ampoules should carry a letter or medical certificate from their physician stating the condition being treated and the dosage, with an English translation if the original is in another language.
• Routes covered are passenger baggage (carried or unaccompanied), balikbayan boxes, and parcels sent by mail or courier.
• Anything beyond the limits, without Bureau of Customs or FDA clearance, may be seized and forfeited.

The Bureau of Customs lists drugs among the goods regulated by the FDA, and lists narcotics and other dangerous drugs as restricted. Sildenafil and tadalafil are ordinary prescription medicines. They are not dangerous drugs of the kind controlled by the Dangerous Drugs Board, which covers medicines such as strong opioid painkillers and some sedatives. If you also carry a controlled medicine, check its rules separately; they are much stricter.

How much ED medication can I bring?

The circular ties the allowance to your prescription rather than to a fixed number of tablets. Philippine embassies advise that the amount should be enough for the duration of your visit.

In practice, a reasonable personal supply is about 30 to 90 days of the medicine as prescribed. That fits a typical prescription and a typical stay, and it is easy to justify if you are asked. If you are a long-stay resident, it is usually simpler to bring a smaller supply and get a local prescription than to bring a year's worth.

What looks unreasonable to an officer:

• Far more tablets than the prescription covers.
• Several different brands, or both sildenafil and tadalafil, with a prescription covering only one.
• Loose tablets in bags, or tablets out of their packaging.
• Quantities that look like stock for resale.

What documents should I carry?

Carry three things, together, in your hand luggage.

1. The prescription. The original or a certified copy, showing your name, the medicine, the strength and the prescribing doctor's name and licence or registration number. The circular asks for the actual prescription to be presented.
2. A doctor's letter. A short letter on the practice's letterhead stating your name, the condition being treated, the generic name of the medicine (sildenafil or tadalafil), the strength and how it is prescribed. Ask for it in English. UK guidance from TravelHealthPro also recommends a prescriber's letter listing your medicines, ideally by generic name.
3. Your passport, with the name matching the prescription and the letter.

ED is a private matter, and some readers feel awkward about the letter. Officers see medical letters daily. The letter does not need to say more than the condition and the medicine, and it is far better than trying to explain unlabelled tablets.

How should I pack it?

Pack ED medicine the way you would pack any prescription medicine.

• Original packaging. Keep tablets in the pharmacy box or blister strips with the label showing your name. TravelHealthPro advises keeping medicines in the original, correctly labelled pharmacy packaging.
• Hand luggage. Carry your main supply in your hand luggage, so a delayed or lost bag does not leave you without it. Some travellers put a small spare amount in hold luggage too.
• Keep the heat in mind. The Philippines is hot and humid. Store tablets below the temperature on the pack, out of direct sun and not in a parked car.
• One set of documents. Keep the prescription and letter in the same pouch as the tablets, so you can show them together.

Do I need to declare it?

Personal medicines within the limits do not need prior FDA clearance. You should still answer the customs declaration honestly and be ready to show the medicine and documents if asked.

The Bureau of Customs runs an online e-Baggage system for the Customs Baggage and Currency Declaration, which arriving passengers can complete before or during the flight. If a question asks about regulated goods or medicines and you are unsure, declaring and showing your paperwork is the cautious choice. It is quicker than the alternative if your bag is inspected.

If you are travelling on to another country from the Philippines, the embassy guidance says separate quantities should be sealed and declared again on departure.

What about having medicine sent to me?

The 2015 circular covers personal-use parcels by mail and courier as well as baggage. In practice, posted medicines are more likely to be held for inspection, delayed, or charged duties, and you may be asked for a prescription before release.

There is also a quality problem. Many overseas websites that post ED tablets to the Philippines with no prescription asked send unregistered or counterfeit products, and FDA Philippines warns repeatedly against unauthorized health products. Do not order ED medicines from such sites. If you are staying for some time, the more dependable route is a Philippine prescription filled at a local pharmacy. See how to spot fake ED pills.

Is it worth bringing it at all?

For short visits, yes, if you already have a supply. For long stays, compare costs first. Generic sildenafil and tadalafil are inexpensive in the Philippines, and branded Viagra and Cialis are often cheaper than full private prices at home.

The cheapest checked sildenafil 50 mg tablet is US$0.82 (Erecto, TGP), and the cheapest checked tadalafil 20 mg tablet is US$6.58 (Torfil, Watsons). The full list is on our ED medicine prices in dollars, pounds and euros page and the main price guide.

To fill a prescription here, you will usually need a Philippine one, because foreign prescriptions are accepted only at the pharmacist's discretion. See prescriptions for foreigners in the Philippines.

What about taking medicine home?

If you take Philippine-bought tablets home, the rules of your home country apply on arrival. Most countries allow a personal supply with a prescription and in original packaging, but limits differ. US, UK, Australian and EU travellers should check their own customs authority's guidance before flying. Ask your Philippine doctor for a prescription copy and a short letter listing the generic name and strength.

Safety reminders while travelling

• Nitrates. Never combine sildenafil or tadalafil with nitrates, such as nitroglycerin spray for angina. If you carry both, make sure your travel companions and any doctor treating you know.
• New medicines abroad. If a doctor in the Philippines starts you on a new medicine, mention your ED medicine. Some antifungals, antibiotics and HIV medicines change how PDE5 inhibitors are processed.
• Urgent symptoms. Chest pain, an erection lasting over 4 hours, or sudden loss of vision or hearing need emergency care. The UK FCDO notes that medical care may not meet UK standards, particularly in rural and remote areas; the large private hospitals in Metro Manila, Cebu and Clark have emergency departments.

More detail is in side effects and safety.

Prefer a local prescription?

If you would rather not carry medicine through customs, or your supply is running low, a consultation with a PRC-licensed doctor gives you a Philippine prescription that every pharmacy accepts.

Frequently asked questions

Frequently asked questions

Can I bring Viagra or Cialis into the Philippines?+

Generally yes, for your own use. Under DOH-FDA-BOC Joint Circular No. 1 of 2015, prescription medicines for personal use can come in through your baggage without prior FDA clearance, in the quantity shown on your prescription. Carry the prescription and a doctor's letter.

How much ED medication can I bring?+

The circular ties the amount to your prescription, and Philippine embassies advise bringing enough for the length of your visit. In practice, a personal supply of about 30 to 90 days, matching your prescription, is reasonable. Larger amounts can be held or seized.

Do I need to declare my medicine at the airport?+

Personal medicines within the limits do not need prior clearance, but you should answer the customs declaration truthfully and be ready to show your documents. The Bureau of Customs runs an online e-Baggage declaration for arriving passengers.

Can I have ED medication posted to me in the Philippines?+

The 2015 circular covers personal-use parcels by mail or courier as well as baggage, but parcels are more likely to be held for inspection, and medicines from overseas websites carry a high risk of being unregistered or counterfeit. A local prescription and a Philippine pharmacy is usually simpler.

Back to the expat guide to ED treatment in the Philippines.