giraffehappy
New member
We are setting off cruising in about 90 days. My partner is a GP. Can we take class A drugs eg dimorphine, with us for medical emergencies, legally?
Class A drugs
- Thread starter giraffehappy
- Start date
AndrewB
Well-known member
Dunno about the legal situation but I'm quite sure you would end up with a lot of explaining to do if they showed up in a customs search in many countries.
Why on earth do you need diamorphine, unless he's intending to practice on the side (which would also be frowned on)? Does one of you have advanced cancer, or are trying to sort a dependency problem? There are more acceptable strong pain-killers like dihydrocodeine that will deal with 99% of yachting emergencies.
Why on earth do you need diamorphine, unless he's intending to practice on the side (which would also be frowned on)? Does one of you have advanced cancer, or are trying to sort a dependency problem? There are more acceptable strong pain-killers like dihydrocodeine that will deal with 99% of yachting emergencies.
A
Anonymous
Guest
My understanding is that it is perfectly proper to carry morphine for use in extreme pain - indeed it is recommended for long passages. You could consider Oramorph which, despite being morphine sulphate, is not actually treated as a Controlled Drug here in the UK - and has the benefit of not needing to be injected (which may be an issue if the Dr is also the patient!).
john_morris_uk
Well-known member
When I did my 'Ship's Capatains Medical Course' we were instructed in the use of morphine and also told the regulations about storing them on board. Must be in a locked cabinet secured to a major bulkhead or something like that. I know I have to sign for them when I take over some boats for ocean passages.
Shakey
New member
Can't see a problem if it's a British Doctor on a British flagged boat.
snowleopard
Active member
though i'm a medical ignoramus, isn't diamorphine just the pharmaceutical name for heroin? in parts of south east asia the penalty for importing it is death!
maybe you could also carry cocaine as a local anaesthetic and marijuana in case you contract MS?
i'd have thought it would be safer to stick to less controversial alternatives even if they might be a little less than ideal!
maybe you could also carry cocaine as a local anaesthetic and marijuana in case you contract MS?
i'd have thought it would be safer to stick to less controversial alternatives even if they might be a little less than ideal!
Sea Devil
Well-known member
Your problem is that every country in the world has it's own legislation - Certainly Merchant ships carry dimorphine - in a bonded locker - Have a look at Ship's Captain's Medical Guide on the MCA CC site. Or the medical page on my web site for the link.
Alastairdent
New member
Morphine is just a fab painkiller. My son was given it after major operations.
The doctors said it was so clean, with so few side-effects, that for severly injured people it was the number one choice.
The doctors said it was so clean, with so few side-effects, that for severly injured people it was the number one choice.
john_morris_uk
Well-known member
I know its excellent for when something high up the analgesic ladder is called for. It does make some people sick so an "anti-being sick" drug is often used at the same time. Anti-emetics or however you spell it!
giraffehappy
New member
thanx for all the replies seadogs: very useful, will check out websites etc.
alex_rogers
New member
In order to have MCA category 0 coding (commercial operations anywhere) you have to carry the full medical kit and this kit includes dimorphine. I was mate on a 50' boat in an Atlantic circuit (TallShips 2000) and we had dimorphine onboard. We bought the kit from a specialist supplier and just had to show evidence that the boat was category 0 coded. When I did the 'Ships Captains Medical Course' we were told that the certificate entitled you to take charge of the medical kit, and thus be responsible for the drugs.
