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Travelling with medicines

This factsheet is for people who are currently taking medicines that they'll need to continue taking while they're travelling. It will help you to plan in advance for taking medicines abroad and tell you how to find out which medicines are allowed in and out of different countries.

Pre-travel planning

If you regularly take medicines, it's likely that you'll need to continue taking them while you're travelling abroad.

GP consultation

You should make an appointment with your GP preferably six to eight weeks before you are planning to travel. However, even a last-minute appointment with your GP can be beneficial.¹

You can discuss your travel plans and ask your GP for advice about any special arrangements you may need to make to take your medicines away with you.

Make sure you pack enough for your whole trip. Allow for a couple of days delay either side.^2,3

If you're going to be away for a while, your GP may be able to prescribe your medication for a longer period (usually the maximum is three months).²

Written documentation

It is useful to have letters from your doctor that state which medicines you need to take and what they are for. This may be needed to get through customs.⁴ There is usually a small fee for a doctor’s letter.

Ask your doctor to use the generic names of your medicines, as there can be several brand names for one medicine.⁴ The generic name is the official name for the medicine and one that doctors are trained to use.

If you have diabetes, asthma, angina or a condition that could flare up when you're away, ask your GP for a record of your health details. That way, if anything unforeseen happens, the medical team treating you will have some background about you and be able to act accordingly.^2,4

A record will also be helpful if you need to carry syringes or needles in your hand luggage, for example, if you have diabetes.⁴

It may be worth getting the letter from your GP translated if you are travelling to non-English speaking countries.

Travel insurance

Before you travel, you should always arrange adequate travel insurance that includes health cover. Otherwise you may have to pay significant medical costs if you become ill or have an accident.⁵

If you have a pre-existing medical condition, you must always tell your travel insurer or you may not be covered by the policy.⁵

Taking medicines out of the UK

In general, there are no limits on the amount of over-the-counter medicines you can take with you.⁶ However, in some countries, medicines cannot be taken if they are bought or prescribed in the UK.

Some medicines contain controlled drugs. This means that they are subject to regulations under the Misuse of Drugs Act and there are limits on the amount that you are allowed to take out of the country. HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has a list of medicines that contain controlled drugs and can tell you the amount that you are allowed to take abroad.⁶

If you need to pack more of your medicine (that contains controlled drugs) than you are allowed you will need to apply in writing for a licence from the Home Office before you travel. You will be asked to supply the following information:⁶

• name
• address
• date of birth
• country or countries you are planning to visit
• dates of departure from and return to the UK
• a letter from your GP stating details of the medicines you need to take

To allow enough time for the Home Office to issue you with a licence, apply at least two weeks before your departure date.⁶

Taking medicines into other countries

Drugs that are controlled in the UK are generally controlled in other countries too. In addition, some countries have different regulations about the types of medicines that can be brought in.⁶

It is best to contact the appropriate country's embassy or high commission before you travel to check whether your medicine is acceptable. Some over-the-counter medicines may also be controlled in other countries, for example medicines containing the painkiller codeine.

The UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) has a list of embassies and high commissions in the UK.⁶

If you are travelling to countries in Europe, you should obtain a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). Go to the website www.ehic.org.uk or call 0845 606 2030 for more information. Alternatively you can get an application pack from your local post office.

Carrying medicines when travelling

You should store medicines containing controlled drugs in your hand luggage along with any licences and written statements from your GP.

Keep medicines in their correctly-labelled packaging, as issued by the pharmacist.^2,4

If you are taking over-the-counter medicines that don't contain controlled drugs, it might be worth storing an extra set in your main luggage in case of an emergency or if any luggage goes missing en route.³

For medicines that need to be stored and kept cool, it may be useful to take a small coolbag with you. Check in advance whether your hotel or other form of accommodation can provide use of a small fridge for medicines, while you are staying there.³

Getting medicines abroad

If you're going abroad for longer than three months, check whether you can get the medicines you need in the country you're visiting. Ask your pharmacist to include a full data sheet for each of your medicines as this is useful for prescribers abroad.²

Try to buy your medicines from reputable sources. An embassy or consulate can advise you on reliable retailers.²

Further information

• Department of Health
  020 7210 4850
  www.dh.gov.uk
• HM Revenue and Customs
  0845 010 9000
  http://customs.hmrc.gov.uk
• Foreign and Commonwealth Office
  0870 606 0290 (Travel advice)
  www.fco.gov.uk

References

1. Travellers. National Travel Health Network and Centre (NaTHNaC).
   www.nathnac.org
   accessed 9 September 2005.
2. Goodyer L. Medical kits for travellers. The Pharmaceutical Journal 2001; 267:154-158.
   http://www.pharmj.com
3. Taking medicines abroad. CancerBACUP.
   www.cancerbacup.org.uk
   accessed 5 July 2005.
4. Consult your doctor well in advance (Health advice for travellers). Department of Health.
   www.dh.gov.uk
   accessed 24 June 2005
.
5. Health insurance (Health advice for travellers). Department of Health.
   www.dh.gov.uk
   accessed 5 July 2005.
6. Notice 4: Taking medicines with you when you go abroad. HM Revenue and Customs.
   www.hmrc.gov.uk/
   accessed 5 July 2005.

Published by BUPA's health information team, healthinfo@bupa.com, February 2006.

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