Is Codeine legal in Maldives?

Legal status

Codeine is a controlled/registered prescription medicine under the Drug Act (Law No. 17/2011); low-dose codeine sits below the capital tier (the death-eligible thresholds attach to Schedule 1 drugs such as diamorphine above 250 g, or above 100 g of any Schedule 1 drug, not to low-dose codeine).

Consequences if caught

Unauthorised handling draws imprisonment and fines; codeine is not death-eligible (Maldives also has a de facto moratorium).

If prescribed or medical

Available as medicine on the national formulary: the Maldives Food and Drug Authority’s Approved Drug List (No. MTG/RE-AL/Li 0009/2026-00008, updated 11.08.2026) lists Codeine Tablet 30 mg, Codeine Tablet 20 mg, Codeine Oral Liquid 5 mg/ml and codeine+paracetamol 8 mg/500 mg. Every one of those entries is marked “POM” — the ADL legend defines POM as “Prescription only medicine”, “medicines that can be sold to a valid prescription only” — and every one carries status “PA”, “Pre-Authorization required before import”, approved 01.02.2025–01.02.2028. The two codeine tablet strengths are additionally designated “Nationally Controlled Narcortics” [sic] in the ADL, and the legend’s Controlled entry states that narcotics “cannot be kept in pharmacies for sale” and can only be imported by designated parties. The branded paracetamol+codeine product Panadeine (500 mg + 8 mg) is listed separately as “PAB”, import restricted to specific named companies. Note one tension a traveller should know: the Maldives’ 2026 INCB narcotic estimates contain no codeine line at all, and under the 1961 Convention imports may not exceed a country’s estimates.

Documentation

Carry a prescription and original packaging; declare controlled medicines and confirm any prior import permission.

Drug laws and enforcement change and vary within a country. This is not legal advice. Always confirm with Maldives’s embassy or official drug authority before traveling; penalties can be severe, including imprisonment.