Travelling Internationally With Prescription Medication: A Guide To Taking Medicines Abroad Safely & Legally

If you're planning to travel abroad, you might be wondering whether it's okay to take your prescription medicines with you. In this article, we’ll explain everything you need to know about travelling internationally with medication. We’ll cover whether you can take prescription medicines out of the UK, whether you can bring them back in, and what steps you should take before you go. We'll also look at the rules for carrying certain types of medicines, how to pack your medication safely and what documents you may need to carry with you.

Key Takeaways

Here are the five biggest takeaways from this article about travel and prescription medications:

• It’s generally legal to take your prescribed medicines abroad, but some countries may ban or restrict certain medications.

• Always keep your medication in its original packaging and carry a copy of your prescription or a doctor’s letter.

• If you’re taking more than a three-month supply of medication that contains a controlled substance or transporting medicine for someone else, you may need to apply for a personal licence.

• It’s legal to bring back medicines for personal use, including those bought abroad or taken with you on your trip.

• Before you travel, sort out travel insurance, research local health laws, make sure your documents are in order and put together an emergency plan.

Is it okay to take prescription medication with you when you're travelling internationally?

Yes, in most cases it is perfectly fine to take your prescription medication with you when travelling internationally, but there are important rules and restrictions you’ll need to follow. Different countries have different laws around which medicines are allowed and some medications that are legal and commonly prescribed in the UK may be restricted or even banned in other countries.

Before you travel, it’s important to check the regulations for your destination, as well as any countries you might be passing through. You may need to carry a copy of your prescription, a doctor’s letter, or even apply for special permission in advance, depending on the type of medicine you’re taking. If you have purchased prescription medications from UK Meds, you may wish to get in contact with us to retrieve your documents.

To avoid any issues at border control, always keep your medication in its original packaging with the label clearly showing your name, the medicine name and dosage instructions. It’s also a good idea to carry your medicine in your hand luggage, in case your checked luggage is lost or delayed.

Can I take medicine with me when I travel out of the UK?

Yes, you can take prescription medication with you when travelling out of the UK, but there are important rules to follow to ensure you do so legally and safely.

If you're taking medication containing a controlled drug abroad, it's essential to carry it in your hand luggage. At the UK border, you may be asked to prove that the medication was prescribed to you. To do this, you should have a letter from your doctor or a copy of your prescription. This is particularly important if the medication is in liquid form and exceeds 100ml, as you'll need to provide proof that it's essential for your journey.

Check the rules for the country you're travelling to with the embassy

Before travelling, it's crucial to check the regulations of the country you're visiting. Some medications that are legal in the UK may be banned or heavily restricted elsewhere. For example, codeine is banned in over 25 countries, including Hungary, where possession can lead to a five-year jail term. You may wish to contact the foreign embassy of the country you are visiting for more information [1].

Can I bring medicine back with me into the UK?

Yes, you can bring prescription medication back into the UK for personal use, including medicines you’ve bought abroad or taken with you when travelling. However, there are rules you need to follow, particularly if your medication contains controlled substances (such as strong painkillers or medicines for ADHD or anxiety).

When you arrive back in the UK, you may be asked to show proof that the medicine you're carrying is for your own personal use. To avoid any problems at border control, it’s best to:

• Keep the medication in its original packaging

• Carry a copy of your prescription or a letter from your doctor

• Only bring back quantities that are reasonable for personal use

Are there any exceptions?

Yes, if you are carrying medication that contains a controlled drug and you’re bringing back more than a 3-month supply, you may need a special permit. This also applies if you are transporting someone else’s medication or if you're travelling as a courier. In these situations, you may be required to apply for a personal licence before returning to the UK.

How to contact the Drug and Firearms Licensing Unit (DFLU)

If you're unsure whether your medicine requires a personal licence, or you need help with the application process, you can contact the Drug and Firearms Licensing Unit directly. They can advise you on controlled drugs and provide support with licence requests [2]. 

If you are not a UK resident, you will need to carry a letter proving the medicine was prescribed for you. The letter must include:

• Your name

• The dates you are travelling to or from the UK

• A list of your medications, including how much you have, doses and the strength

• The signature of the person who prescribed your drugs

What other considerations should you make before you travel abroad?

Before travelling abroad with prescription medication, there are several important steps you should take to make sure your trip is safe, legal and well-prepared. Alongside checking the rules around taking medicines into another country, here are a few other key considerations to keep in mind.

For a full checklist of what to consider before travelling, the government website has a useful checklist designed for foreign travel [3]. 

Final Thoughts

Travelling abroad with prescription medication is usually straightforward, but it’s important to follow the correct steps to ensure you stay within the law and avoid any issues at border control. Whether you’re taking medicine out of the UK, bringing it back in, or buying it while you’re away, make sure you understand the rules for the country you’re visiting. 

This includes checking whether your medicine is permitted, carrying it in the original packaging and having the right documents with you, especially if the medicine contains a controlled drug. 

You should also take time to prepare for your trip by arranging suitable travel insurance, gathering your medical documents and making an emergency plan in case something goes wrong. 

Sources

[1] Foreign embassies in the UK - GOV.UK

[2] Take medicine in or out of the UK - GOV.UK.

[3] Foreign travel checklist - GOV.UK