Atomoxetine in the Philippines: PDEA Rules and Supply

Atomoxetine (Strattera) requires a prescription in the Philippines. Bring your full supply with a doctor's letter and original packaging.

Quick reference

Drug class: Selective norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor
Controlled substance: No: not scheduled under the Philippine Dangerous Drugs Act (RA 9165)
Prescription required: Yes: prescription required in the Philippines
Available locally: Limited. No catalog-listed local brand. Generic atomoxetine may be available at select hospital pharmacies; verify before travel.
Storage: Room temperature (15–30°C), away from moisture and direct light
Max supply to carry: No explicit statutory cap for non-controlled prescription drugs; bring the full duration of your trip plus a buffer
Key document: Doctor's letter on clinic letterhead stating medication name (INN and brand), dose, frequency, and quantity carried
Emergency alternative: If your supply is lost, visit a psychiatry department at a private hospital in Manila or Cebu and present your doctor's letter for a local consultation and prescription.

Travelling to the Philippines with atomoxetine: what changes

Atomoxetine, sold internationally as Strattera, is prescription-only in the Philippines and is not listed as a dangerous drug under Republic Act 9165^[1], meaning it does not require a PDEA import permit. The main challenge for travellers is limited local availability: no brand equivalent of Strattera is confirmed in the Philippine catalog, so bringing your full supply from home is essential.

Medical disclaimer: This guide is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult your prescribing doctor before travelling with medication, particularly regarding supply quantities, storage requirements, and import documentation.

Before you travel

Documentation for travelling to the Philippines with atomoxetine

The Philippine Bureau of Customs requires that prescription medications be accompanied by a valid doctor's prescription or medical certificate^[2]. Your letter should be on clinic letterhead and include your full name, the medication's INN (atomoxetine) and brand name (Strattera), dose, frequency, quantity carried, and your prescriber's signature and registration number. An English letter is sufficient; no notarisation or apostille is required for personal-use quantities. See the ADHD in the Philippines guide for a full document checklist.

Pre-travel paperwork timeline

T-30 days
Book a prescriber appointment to renew your atomoxetine prescription and request a travel letter on clinic letterhead. Ask for enough supply to cover your trip plus a 2-week buffer.Prescriber letter
T-14 days
Confirm with your pharmacist that the dispensed quantity matches your travel duration. No PDEA import permit is required for atomoxetine, so no external agency application is needed.Dispensed prescription
Atomoxetine is not a PDEA-controlled substance; standard prescription documentation is sufficient.
T-7 days
Prepare copies of your prescription and doctor's letter. Atomoxetine is prescribed and dispensed in English in most countries, which is the official language used by Philippine customs and health authorities.Translated letter
T-1 day
Print all documents and store them with your medication. Keep original packaging and pharmacy labels intact on every blister pack or bottle.
T-0 (border)
Keep your doctor's letter and prescription accessible at customs. Declare the medication if asked; present your letter alongside the original packaging.

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What your doctor's letter must include

Full name, medication name (INN: atomoxetine; brand: Strattera), dose and frequency, quantity carried, condition name, doctor's signature and registration number, clinic letterhead. An English letter is accepted by Philippine customs; no translation or notarisation is required for personal-use quantities.

Because English is an official language in the Philippines, English-language prescriptions and letters are accepted without translation. Notarisation is not required for personal medication brought in reasonable quantities.

How much atomoxetine to bring

The Philippines Food and Drug Administration (FDA-PH) does not publish a specific day-limit for importing non-controlled prescription drugs for personal use. Bring the exact quantity needed for your trip plus at least two weeks extra to account for flight delays or itinerary changes. Local availability of atomoxetine in the Philippines is unreliable^[3], so your supply from home is your primary resource. Check whether your travel insurance covers the cost of an emergency consultation if you need a local prescription.

Split your supply

Carry your main supply in hand luggage and a backup dose in checked luggage. If one bag is lost or delayed, you still have medication. Keep both portions in original packaging with pharmacy labels intact.

Packing and storing atomoxetine for travel

Atomoxetine capsules should be stored at room temperature between 15°C and 30°C, protected from moisture and light^[4]. The Philippines has a tropical climate with high humidity and temperatures regularly exceeding 30°C outdoors; keep your medication in an air-conditioned room or hotel safe rather than in a bag left in the sun. During long layovers in transit airports, avoid storing capsules in checked baggage holds where temperatures can spike. Original packaging with a sealed pharmacy label is the most practical travel format.

At the airport and border

Airport security with atomoxetine

Atomoxetine capsules are solid-dose and do not trigger liquid restrictions at security checkpoints. Place your medication in an easily accessible part of your hand luggage so it can be presented quickly if a security officer asks. Your prescribing doctor's letter and original pharmacy packaging are sufficient identification. You do not need to declare the medication proactively at security, but having documents visible speeds up any secondary check.

Customs and medication import rules for the Philippines

Atomoxetine is not listed as a dangerous drug under Republic Act 9165^[1], so no PDEA import permit is required. Philippine Bureau of Customs guidelines require that personal-use prescription drugs be declared and supported by a valid prescription^[2] or medical certificate. If a customs officer questions your medication, present the original packaging alongside your doctor's letter and prescription. Quantities clearly proportionate to your trip length are unlikely to attract further scrutiny.

Keep original packaging at all times

Customs officers in the Philippines use the pharmacy label and packaging to verify the medication name and prescribed quantity. Transferring capsules to an unlabelled pill organiser removes this verification trail. Keep at least one original blister pack or bottle with its label intact throughout your trip.

While in country

Atomoxetine availability in the Philippines

Brands of atomoxetine sold in the Philippines

Brand name	Indication	Formulation	Supply note
Strattera (atomoxetine)	ADHD	Capsule (10 mg, 18 mg, 25 mg, 40 mg, 60 mg, 80 mg, 100 mg)	Not confirmed in Philippine FDA registry; availability at select hospital pharmacies only. Verify before travel

No brand of atomoxetine is confirmed in the Philippine FDA drug registration database^[5] as of mid-2025. Some hospital-affiliated pharmacies in Metro Manila and Cebu may stock imported Strattera capsules, but this is not guaranteed. A local prescription from a licensed Philippine physician would be required to obtain any locally dispensed supply. Expect to pay approximately PHP 200–400 per capsule (~$3.50–$7 / ~€3.25–€6.50) if available, making a full month's supply potentially costly.

Finding a doctor who can prescribe atomoxetine in the Philippines

Psychiatrists at private hospitals in Metro Manila, such as St. Luke's Medical Center (Global City), The Medical City, and Makati Medical Center, can assess and prescribe atomoxetine for adults. English is widely used in Philippine medical practice, so a language barrier is unlikely.

A private outpatient psychiatry consultation typically costs PHP 1,500–3,500 (~$26–$62 / ~€24–€57)^[6]. Telemedicine platforms such as KonsultaMD and HealthNow PH connect patients with licensed Philippine physicians and may be able to facilitate a referral to a psychiatrist, though controlled prescriptions still require an in-person visit in the Philippines. For a broader context of healthcare options, see our Philippines travel guide.

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Storing atomoxetine while in the Philippines

The manufacturer's approved storage range for atomoxetine is 15–30°C, protected from high humidity^[4]. In the Philippines, outdoor temperatures regularly exceed 32°C and relative humidity stays above 70% for much of the year. Store your capsules in an air-conditioned room, hotel minibar, or the coolest part of your luggage when indoors. Avoid leaving medication in a parked vehicle or outdoor bag during the day. If you experience a power cut in your accommodation, move your supply to a cool, dark interior space promptly.

Emergencies

What to do if something goes wrong with your atomoxetine in the Philippines

If your medication is lost or stolen, file a police report at the nearest barangay hall or police station, as this document supports an insurance claim and a request for an emergency prescription. Contact your travel insurer's emergency assistance line immediately to confirm coverage for replacement medication costs.

If your supply runs out unexpectedly, go directly to the psychiatry outpatient department of a private hospital in the nearest city, bring your doctor's letter and any remaining packaging, and request an emergency consultation. The physician can issue a local prescription if atomoxetine is stocked at the hospital pharmacy. If the drug is unavailable locally, your prescriber at home may be able to arrange a courier shipment of a replacement supply, though Philippine customs clearance for mailed prescription drugs can take several days.

“Kailangan ko ng gamot para sa aking kondisyon. / Mayroon ba kayong atomoxetine? / Saan ang pinakamalapit na parmasya? / Pakitawagan ang doktor.”

I need medication for my condition. / Do you have atomoxetine? / Where is the nearest pharmacy? / Please call a doctor.

The Philippine national emergency number is 911 for police, fire, and medical emergencies^[7]. For non-emergency medical referrals, the Department of Health hotline is 1555.

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Frequently asked questions

Is atomoxetine legal in the Philippines?

Yes, atomoxetine is legal in the Philippines. It is not scheduled under the Dangerous Drugs Act (Republic Act 9165), so no PDEA import permit is required. Local availability is limited, so bring your full supply and carry a doctor's letter on clinic letterhead stating the INN, brand, dose, frequency and quantity carried.

Can I bring atomoxetine into the Philippines without a permit?

Yes. Atomoxetine is not classified as a dangerous drug under Philippine RA 9165^[1], so no PDEA import permit is needed. Bring the original packaging, your prescription, and a doctor's letter stating the medication name, dose, and quantity.

Do I need a doctor's letter to fly with atomoxetine?

A doctor's letter is strongly recommended even though atomoxetine is not a controlled substance in the Philippines. It confirms the medication is prescribed to you and speeds up any customs check. The letter should include your name, the INN (atomoxetine) and brand name (Strattera), dose, frequency, and your prescriber's registration number.

Does the PDEA permit requirement apply to atomoxetine in the Philippines?

No. The PDEA permit requirement applies to dangerous drugs listed under RA 9165^[1], which does not include atomoxetine. For other ADHD medications that are PDEA-controlled, see the Philippines ADHD travel guide.

Is Strattera available in Philippine pharmacies?

Strattera is not confirmed in the Philippine FDA drug registration database^[5] as of mid-2025. Some hospital pharmacies in Metro Manila may stock imported capsules, but supply is unreliable. Bring your full supply from home rather than relying on local purchase.

What should I do if I run out of atomoxetine while in the Philippines?

Go to the psychiatry outpatient department at a private hospital such as St. Luke's Medical Center (Global City), The Medical City, or Makati Medical Center in Metro Manila. Present your doctor's letter and remaining packaging to request an emergency consultation and, if the drug is stocked, a local prescription.

How much does a psychiatrist consultation cost in the Philippines to get an atomoxetine prescription?

A private outpatient psychiatry consultation at a hospital in Metro Manila typically costs PHP 1,500–3,500 (~$26–$62 / ~€24–€57). This fee covers the consultation only; any locally dispensed medication would be charged separately, and supply is not guaranteed.

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