Is Methadone legal in Oman?

Legal status

Methadone is a Controlled Drug on the narcotic tier under Oman's Royal Decree 17/99 (Law on Combating Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances, amended RD 34/2015 and RD 24/2023), which incorporates the UN Convention schedules under a two-tier Controlled Drug system, implementing 1961 Single Convention Schedule I and is named in the Oman MoH Controlled Drug policy (Appendix 2). Licit medical supply is permitted under strict authorization, but illicit trafficking of the narcotic falls within the statute's capital band (Article 43) for aggravated trafficking; the drug-specific quantity threshold is left to confirmation.

Consequences if caught

Producing, importing, exporting or trafficking a scheduled drug under Royal Decree 17/99 carries the death penalty or life imprisonment plus a fine exceeding OMR 25,000 (Article 43); RD 34/2015 removed the former 50 kg weight threshold. Unauthorized possession or use draws imprisonment and fines, with deportation for non-nationals.

If prescribed or medical

Methadone is prescribable in Oman only as a Controlled Drug; importing it requires an Omani MoH (Drug Control) permit plus a medical report issued within the last 6 months (diagnosis, scientific drug name, dose, duration), capped at one month's supply; internally the CD prescription is valid 3 days (pink prescription for this tier).

Documentation

Bring prior Omani MoH / Drug Control Department approval and a medical report or prescription issued within the last 6 months bearing an institutional stamp, plus a passport copy; the approved quantity is capped at one month's supply (or length of stay, whichever is less), with any excess destroyed under Drug Control Department supervision.

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