Holiday warning as hotspot bans popular medicine – everything to know

A HOLIDAY hotspot popular with Brits has banned a certain medicine due to a number of deaths linked to it.

Indonesia has temporarily banned sales of all syrup-based medications from being sold.

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This is due to a certain medicine that has resulted in the death of more than 100 kids this year.

The WHO confirmed that the syrups used there – made by an Indian pharmaceutical company – contained “unacceptable amounts” of diethylene glycol and ethylene glycol. 

Health minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin confirmed this yesterday.

He said: “Some syrups that were used by AKI child patients under five were proven to contain ethylene glycol and diethylene glycol that were not supposed to be there, or of very little amount.”

Brits heading to destinations such as Bali, popular with UK holidaymakers should be aware before heading to the country that the medication will no longer be allowed.

It is yet to be confirmed if it is also banned from being brought into the country, which could affect families.

Indonesian authorities are also yet to confirm which brands it affects.

Some medications are already banned in Indonesia – codeine is illegal, as is ADHD medication and some sleeping pills.

Other countries have strict rules on medicine too.

Hundreds of Brits will be travelling to Qatar this year for the World Cup but the country has strict rules for many cough and cold medicines, which must have a prescription.

In Singapore you need a medical note for anti-anxiety medication, sleeping pills and strong painkillers.

One medication that could get you into trouble in Egypt is Tramadol as it is banned from being taken into the country, and you will need a doctor’s note if you need to take it.

And leave the cold medicines at home if travelling to Japan as Sudafed and Vicks are both banned in Japan for containing pseudoephedrine.

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