Medicines that can be purchased without restrictions in one country may become a serious violation of the law in Latvia. Increasingly, cases are being identified at border control where residents of Latvia import medications from third countries that are only available to us by prescription or are even under strict control.
Medicines that can be purchased without a prescription in other countries may be considered a serious violation of the law in Latvia, and crossing the border with such medications may result not only in their confiscation but also in the initiation of a criminal case, reports TV3 News.
Experts explain that people may not even realize they are breaking the law. In one country, a drug may be freely available, while in another it may be classified as a controlled substance. Therefore, experts emphasize that before purchasing medicines abroad, it is essential to verify their status in Latvia.
Sleeping pills, tranquilizers, or strong painkillers, although they may be sold freely in other countries, are considered illegal trafficking in Latvia if imported without the appropriate documentation.
"Even one such pill when imported into Latvia is already considered a serious crime," says the head of the Tax and Customs Police, Andrei Grishin.
He explains that these medicines contain active substances that are included in the list of psychotropic substances in Latvia.
"Transporting any narcotic and psychotropic substances across the border is a crime. If we look at 2025 and analyze the drug market in Latvia, marijuana is in first place, and psychotropic medications are in second. This is a huge problem," Grishin clarifies.
Therefore, the key word when it comes to medicines is a doctor's prescription.
"In Latvia, these medicines can be used, but they are prescription drugs and are strictly controlled," says the head of the Tax and Customs Police.
In recent months, a troubling trend has emerged: residents of Latvia are importing such medicines from Turkey or Egypt, where they can be purchased without restrictions. Criminal cases have already been initiated.
"When it comes to travelers, our observations show that some people are indeed importing medicines for subsequent sale and are consciously committing a crime, but some, as we assume, are acting unconsciously," Grishin specifies.
Family doctor Ainis Dzalbs also notes that questions related to the transportation of medications from one country to another are relevant, and patients often ask such questions.
"Our concern is that due to nuances in legislation or insufficient control, we warn patients that we cannot trust the quality and origin of such medications. Because medicines are often counterfeit, and this is a current problem. In the EU, control is strict, while in other countries it is weaker," explains the vice president of the Latvian Association of Rural Family Doctors, Ainis Dzalbs.
It should be remembered that each country has its own legal regulations, so people need to be aware of the rules in the specific state. If medications prescribed by a family doctor and taken on a regular basis are taken on a trip, it is important to have the ability to present a prescription if necessary. Otherwise, unpleasant situations may also arise when entering a third country.
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