Cancer drugs cause problems at Immigration

WATCH OUT  WHEN TRAVELLING TO STATES

If travelling to countries where fingerprint identification is required, particularly the States, and you are on CAPECITABINE (Xeloda), take a letter with you from your Oncologist confirming this.

Roche (the makers) say Hand-foot syndrome (HFS) is a known side-effect of a number of cancer treatments, including Xeloda (capecitabine).  It can cause redness, tenderness, and possibly peeling of the palms and soles.

Travellers to the US have been held at Immigration for some time, as fingerprints could not be identified, due to  treatment.  The US Immigration have caused numerous problems to legitimate travellers in the past, and are not very polite, even if you have been ill.  So carry a letter with you to show to officials.

Roche says “HFS is manageable, and can be minimised with good patient management”.  Further details on the label, or  contact Roche.

DUBAI

Immigration can also cause problems, but this time it happens if you can’t produce a prescription for a drug you are carrying.  Last year a woman was held for several days, as she did not have a prescription form – for a pain killer we can buy over the counter in Chemists in the UK.

I was convinced there must be more to the story – but no, the Tourist Board confirmed that she didn’t have a prescription, but eventually she was released.  I pointed out that often we have drugs issued in hospital for which we would never receive a prescription form – but they were adamant.  Either we went to our doctor and asked for a duplicate prescription (for which the doctor might charge), or we took the consequences.

So don’t take the pain killers you have bought at Boots – quite legitimately – or watch out.

The thought of spending time locked up because I had forgotten to ask for a form for one of the many drugs I take – forget it.  There are plenty of other countries in that area who are more welcoming.

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