Is Buprenorphine legal in Egypt?
- Legal status
- Buprenorphine is a controlled narcotic under Egypt's Anti-Narcotics Law No. 182 of 1960 — a lighter tier than methadone; capital exposure attaches to trafficking of narcotic-table substances, not to prescribed or personal medical use.
- Consequences if caught
- Law 182/1960 (as amended by Law 122/1989) imposes death plus a heavy fine for producing/importing/trafficking narcotics with intent — prescribed/personal buprenorphine is non-capital, but undocumented traveller imports have led to detention.
- If prescribed or medical
- Dispensed as a controlled prescription medicine on a controlled register with prior MoH approval.
- Documentation
- Prior MoH approval is needed to import controlled narcotics; carry a prescription and keep medicines in original packaging — undocumented opioids have led to arrests.
Drug laws and enforcement change and vary within a country. This is not legal advice. Always confirm with Egypt’s embassy or official drug authority before traveling; penalties can be severe, including imprisonment.
Before you travel
Verify current rules with the destination country’s official drug authority and your own country’s embassy before traveling. Find the destination’s U.S. embassy & official country guidance →
Non-U.S. travelers: check your own government’s travel advisory and embassy.
If you’re detained or arrested abroad
Contact your own country’s embassy or consulate in the destination immediately — not the destination’s authorities. U.S. citizens: contact the nearest U.S. embassy/consulate and the U.S. State Department at +1-202-501-4444 (from abroad). If a U.S. citizen is arrested or detained abroad →