Travelling with prescribed medicine needs country-specific planning. A product routinely used at home may be subject to different entry rules elsewhere, and travel delays can affect normal supply or storage. Begin early with your pharmacist or prescribing team and the relevant official authorities.
Check the exact medicine and route
Ask whether the medicine contains a controlled drug and check the rules for every destination and transit point where relevant. GOV.UK sets out UK requirements and directs travellers to destination authorities. Do not assume that a prescription alone settles every country's rules or that another traveller's experience applies to your medicine.
- Use official embassy or government guidance for the destination.
Ask about storage and disruption
Discuss packaging, temperature requirements and what to do if the journey is delayed with the pharmacist or care team. Follow their advice and the transport provider's requirements. Do not change doses, decant medicine into unlabelled containers or improvise cooling methods based on generic packing advice. Keep the written care information accessible to authorised people.
- Arrange normal prescriptions in good time without hoarding.
Plan access to appropriate help
Keep the relevant assistance contacts, prescription information and any required documentation with your travel plan. If supply is lost or compromised, seek professional advice promptly rather than buying an unfamiliar substitute online. Review arrangements if the itinerary or health needs change, and check current rules again before departure.
- Ask the insurer about relevant medical assistance arrangements.
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