Travelling with Medication Abroad: What You Need to Know

Planning a holiday or business trip abroad? If you're taking regular medication, it's essential to prepare well in advance. Whether it’s your blood pressure tablets, asthma inhaler, or hormone therapy, there are a few extra things to think about when travelling with medication.

In this blog, we’ll guide you through how to safely carry and store your medication, avoid potential legal issues at borders, and make sure you stay well throughout your trip.

1. Why Planning Ahead Matters

It’s not just about remembering to pack your tablets. Some medications, particularly those used to treat anxiety, ADHD, or pain, may be restricted or even banned in certain countries. In other cases, your medicine might interact with travel vaccines or preventive treatments like malaria tablets.

Here’s why it’s important to plan ahead:

• Certain medications may be illegal or restricted abroad

• Some live vaccines or antimalarial drugs may interact with your current treatment

• You’ll need enough medication to last the whole trip

• Some medicines require temperature-controlled storage

• You may be asked for proof of your prescriptions at customs

2. Safe Storage and Transport of Your Medication

Here are a few top tips for storing and carrying your medicine while travelling:

• Keep your medication in its original packaging with labels intact.

• Use a cool bag if your medicine needs to be kept at a certain temperature (e.g. insulin).

• Split supplies across hand luggage and checked baggage to reduce risk if one gets lost.

• Set reminders on your phone to stick to your usual medication schedule—especially if crossing time zones.

✈️ Top tip: Always pack medication in your hand luggage, not checked bags, just in case your suitcase goes missing.

3. Controlled or Banned Medications

Some countries have strict rules around what medicines can be brought in. Even a common prescription drug in the UK could be considered a controlled substance abroad.

Examples include:

• Strong painkillers containing codeine

• ADHD medication (e.g. methylphenidate)

• Anti-anxiety drugs like diazepam or lorazepam

Before you travel, check if your medicine is on the controlled drug list for your destination. A few helpful links are provided at the end of this blog.

If your medicine is restricted, you’ll usually need:

• A doctor’s letter explaining your condition and treatment

• A copy of your prescription

• Advance permission from the country’s embassy or health authority

4. Travelling with Controlled Drugs: Legal Considerations

When travelling with controlled drugs, always:

• Check the rules of your destination country at least 6 weeks before travel

• Visit the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) for travel health advice

• Carry your medicine with the original prescription label

• Pack a GP letter detailing your diagnosis, medication, dosage, and reason for use

In some countries—like the UAE, Singapore, or Japan—even small quantities of certain medicines may be banned or heavily regulated.

5. Where to Get Advice Before You Travel

For the most up-to-date information, visit the following:

• Travelling with controlled drugs (GOV.UK)

• Foreign travel advice (GOV.UK)

• UNODC International Guidelines on Controlled Drugs

• UAE List of Controlled Medicines

And of course, you can also speak to your local pharmacist or GP—or visit us at Ready Health Clinic in Standish for personalised travel health advice.

6. Final Tips Before You Go

✅ Plan at least 4–6 weeks ahead
✅ Carry a copy of your prescription and a doctor’s letter
✅ Don’t rely on buying medicines abroad—they may not be the same quality
✅ Bring more than enough medicine to cover your entire trip
✅ Store your medication safely and stick to your schedule

Need Help Before You Travel?

If you’re unsure whether your medicine is safe to take abroad, or if you need vaccinations or malaria tablets, book a travel health consultation with us at Ready Health Clinic, Standish. Our team can check for medicine interactions, help you prepare the right documentation, and make sure you’re all set for a safe and healthy journey.