Passports, tickets and accommodation may be at the top of your holiday checklist, but anyone travelling with medicines has a few additional preparations to make.
Different countries have different rules about which medicines visitors can bring with them. You may also need to consider how much medication you will require, where to pack it and whether it needs protection from heat or cold.
A little planning before you leave can help you avoid difficulties at the airport, at the border or while you are away.
Check how much medication you have as soon as your travel plans are confirmed. Make sure you will have enough for the full length of your trip, allowing a small additional supply where appropriate in case your return is delayed.
Do not leave your repeat prescription request until the day before you travel. Your GP practice and pharmacy may need time to process, prepare or obtain your medication. Allow at least a week or more.
The quantity that can be prescribed will depend on factors including:
Speak to your GP practice or pharmacy as early as possible if you are unsure.
A medicine that is routinely prescribed or available without a prescription in the UK may be restricted, controlled or prohibited in another country.
Rules can also apply to medicines used for:
Restrictions on travelling with medicines may cover the active ingredient, the quantity you can carry or the documentation you must provide.
Before travelling, check the requirements of every country you will enter. This includes countries where you will change flights or pass through border control, not only your final destination.
The UK Government recommends contacting the relevant embassy, high commission or consulate if you need confirmation of a country’s medicine regulations.
Some prescription medicines contain controlled drugs. These are subject to additional legal requirements because of the potential for misuse or dependence.
Examples may include certain:
When leaving or entering the UK with a medicine containing a controlled drug, you must be able to show that it was prescribed for you. Depending on the medicine, the amount you are carrying and the duration of your journey, you may also require a personal licence or additional authorisation.
Your prescriber or pharmacist can help you identify whether your medication contains a controlled drug. However, it remains important to check the rules of the countries you are travelling with medicines to, as their classifications and requirements may be different from those in the UK.
It may be advisable to travel with a letter from your GP, specialist or other prescriber confirming that the medication belongs to you and is required for medical treatment to be shown to airport staff.
The letter may need to include:
There may be a charge for providing a travel letter, and it can take time to arrange. Ask well before your departure date.
You might also consider carrying a copy of your prescription alongside appropriate supporting documentation.
Carry your medication in its original pharmacy packaging whenever possible. The dispensing label should clearly show your name, the name of the medicine and the instructions for use.
Avoid transferring tablets into an unlabelled container for the journey. Although pill organisers can be useful while you are away, the original packaging helps airport officials, customs officers and healthcare professionals identify your medication.
Carry a copy of your current prescription or medication list separately from the medicines themselves.
Medication you may need during your journey should normally be kept in your hand luggage rather than placed in the aircraft hold.
This means it remains accessible and reduces the risk of being left without treatment if your checked luggage is delayed or lost.
Controlled drugs must be carried in your hand luggage when entering or leaving the UK. You should also have evidence that they were prescribed for you.
Check your airline’s requirements before travelling, particularly if you need to carry:
Security staff may need to inspect your medicine or supporting documents.
Some medicines can be damaged by excessive heat, direct sunlight, moisture or freezing temperatures.
Do not assume that a hotel minibar or fridge will provide suitable storage when travelling with medicines. Some become cold enough to freeze medicines, particularly items placed close to the cooling element.
Before travelling, check the patient information leaflet or ask your pharmacist:
Do not place medicine directly against an ice pack unless the manufacturer’s instructions confirm that this is safe. Freezing can damage some injectable and liquid medicines.
Medication should also never be left in a parked car, where temperatures can rise very quickly.
Crossing several time zones can make the timing of regular medication more complicated.
For many medicines, a modest alteration in timing will not create a significant problem. Others need to be taken at carefully spaced intervals or at a consistent time of day.
This may be particularly important for medicines including:
Do not change your dose or take extra medication to compensate for a time difference without professional advice.
Ask your pharmacist, GP or specialist to help you prepare a dosing schedule based on your flight times and destination.
Tell your travel insurer about relevant existing health conditions and regular medication when arranging your policy.
Failing to disclose a condition may affect whether a future claim is accepted. Check that your policy provides appropriate cover for:
Keep your insurer’s emergency contact information with you throughout your trip.
Medicines sold under a familiar name in another country may contain a different ingredient or strength. Packaging and brand names can also vary considerably.
Counterfeit or poor-quality medicines may be a risk in some destinations, particularly when buying from unofficial sellers.
If you lose your medication or require an additional supply, contact your travel insurer and seek help from a registered local pharmacy, doctor or healthcare provider. Do not buy prescription medicines from markets, informal shops or unverified websites.
Your pharmacist can help you understand how to store and take your regular medication while travelling. We can also help you identify questions that may need to be discussed with your GP, specialist, airline or destination country’s embassy.
For wider travel health preparation, the Dears Pharmacy Travel Clinic can provide personalised advice based on your destination, planned activities, medical history and travel dates.
Preparation is not only about vaccinations. Making sure that your existing treatment can travel safely with you is an equally important part of protecting your health while you are away.
This article provides general information and does not replace individual medical, legal or destination-specific advice. Medicine regulations can change. Always check current official guidance for every country on your itinerary before travelling.
