Kathmandu Travel Forum

We are planning on bringing medical supplies - such as asprin, tetracycline, vitamins, etc. for the Tibetan refugees around Kathmandu. After reading the travel advisories, we have concerns about saftey. Are there any legal issues we should be aware of? Specifically about bringing medicine into Nepal. Any help or information about other useful websites, postings, or contacts would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks, Wayne and Shana

I'm not too sure about the logisitcs, but if you trully want to help, then it will be cheaper to buy the meds in India or even Nepal then in your home country.... there are several international firms that make meds in India that are up to par with international standards... the key is to check the date they expire.... just a thought as you can offer more meds this way... then again, if you get them for free at home... it wouldn't matter... buying them though, India/Nepal is the place. Another plus about buying locally is that the Tibetans may know the brands already and so will accept them easily then trying to explain a foreign brand to them...

I brought OTC medicines and vitamins to a monastery school in KTM in '01(as well as a 70-lb. box containing a computer and used clothing!) and had no problems with the customs people at the airport. Of course since I arrived the day after the royal massacre, people probably had other things on their mind, LOL... Seriously though, you should have no problem. Just make sure everything is well-labeled in original packaging.