Travelling with prescription medicines

Check legal restrictions first

Use official embassy or government information to check controlled-drug rules, permitted quantities and whether a licence or letter is required. Airline rules and border law are separate, so check both.

If the destination asks for a prescriber letter, allow time to obtain it. The letter may need the generic medicine name, dose, total quantity and reason for treatment.

Pack medicines so they remain identifiable

Keep medicines in original labelled pharmacy packaging and place essential supplies in hand luggage where airline and security rules allow. Carry a copy of the prescription or medication list separately.

Ask about temperature or light-sensitive products before travel. A cool bag is not automatically suitable for every medicine and freezing can also damage products.

Plan for delays without overpacking

Discuss a reasonable contingency supply with the prescriber and insurer. Do not combine tablets into unlabelled containers, post medicines abroad without checking law, or assume a brand name will be recognised overseas.

• ✓ Use generic as well as brand names
• ✓ Record doses and timings
• ✓ Carry insurance details
• ✓ Keep a copy of key documents

Check legality before packing

A medicine that is routinely prescribed in the UK may be restricted, controlled or unavailable elsewhere. Check the embassy or official authority for every destination and transit country. Rules can cover the active ingredient, quantity, packaging and supporting letter, so a brand-name comparison alone is not enough.

Start early when a permit or prescriber letter may be required. Pharmacies can help with an accurate medicine list, but only the relevant government or embassy can confirm a country’s legal entry rules.

• ✓ Generic and brand names
• ✓ Dose and daily quantity
• ✓ Trip length plus reasonable contingency
• ✓ Prescriber letter or permit if required

Protect supply and storage

Keep medicines in original labelled packaging and carry essential supplies where they remain accessible, subject to airline and security rules. Consider delays, but do not carry more than a destination permits. Split storage only if doing so is lawful and does not compromise temperature or security.

Medicines needing refrigeration, injection equipment or liquid volumes require specific planning. Ask the airline about carriage and the prescriber or pharmacist about safe storage rather than relying on a generic cool bag.

Plan for time zones and unexpected care

For medicines where timing matters, ask the prescriber how to adjust across time zones. Do not improvise by doubling, skipping or compressing doses. Carry a concise health summary and adequate insurance for pre-existing conditions.

If medicine is lost, stolen or damaged, contact the insurer and a legitimate healthcare service. Avoid informal sellers and keep a record of the active ingredient so a local clinician can make an informed decision.