Prescription Medicines Aboroad

What's Up, Doc?

If you need to take medication with you on holiday, pack it in your hand luggage, keep your prescribed medication in its original packet/bottle which also shows your name and medication details.

If it goes missing, don't panic. You can buy most medicines in pharmacies abroad.

Ask your local chemist to write down the name of your usual medication in the language of the country you're visiting. Be prepared

Talk to your doctor well before you go for advice on vaccinations or anti-malaria treatments and any particular health precautions you should take.

As part of a Europe-wide agreement, GPs can prescribe up to 3 months medication for overseas travel - the maximum you're allowed. This covers only certain medicine, not all eg methadone

Customs

To avoid problems at Customs, get a letter from your doctor explaining that any needles/syringes are for medication purposes (e.g., insulin).

If you need to carry medicines, make sure you have a letter confirming that you need them for your particular health condition.

AIDS

AIDS patients often need to carry a large amount of drugs so it's vital to have that letter or statement from your GP.

Some medicines are banned in countries such as Pakistan, India and Turkey and some Middle Eastern countries.

Methadone

Other countries have set limits on the amount of certain drugs (e.g. Methadone) that you can take into that country, even for personal use and with a doctor's letter.

If you have to take more than that limit into the country you could need an import license.

For peace of mind, get in touch with the embassy in advance.

For British Embassy/Consulate details log on to the Foreign & Commonwealth Office website at www.fco.gov.uk.