Many of those with a chronic illness, such as diabetes or blood pressure, will be taking regular prescription medicines. Many travelling on holiday may take a small selection of medicines to cope with holiday ills such as diarrhoea, insect bites or heat rashes.
Normally travelling with medicines does not create any problems. But travellers need to be aware that some medicines commonly used in the UK or Europe are illegal in some counties. If in doubt check with the country embassy in the UK and research your location using various internet sources.
Some tips for travelling with medicines;
- Carry medicines, including those bought over the counter, in their correctly labelled container/packaging, as issued by the pharmacist or manufacturer. This allows all medicines to be identified easily if required. Keep them in your hand luggage where possible so they are accessible during travel and will not be lost if hold luggage goes missing. Consider packing a spare supply of medication in the hold luggage in case of loss of hand luggage.
- Airline regulations should be checked, particularly for injectable medications or liquids as restrictions apply to the quantity that can be carried in hand luggage. Passengers needing to fly with oxygen, insulin or other injectable medicines should contact their airline in advance to make appropriate arrangements.
- Check Storage requirements for medication. Most packaging will detail storage requirements. Each medicine issued in the UK will contain a Product Information Leaflet (PIL), which may give additional storage requirements. Most medicines are stored below 25c or below 30c. Any medicine normally stored in a refrigerator are normally stored at a temperature between 2c and 8c. In many cases it is important that medicines normally stored in a refrigerator are not frozen as this can destroy the active ingredient. If tablets, creams etc do go above the recommended storage temperature such as 25c changes can take place which reduces their potency, but patients would be advised to keep taking/using their medication as normal and replace on return home. If your condition appears to get worse see a local doctor.
- Arrangements for control of temperature during transit with certain medications may be needed. Discuss with your airline. Keep a cool box in a car. Keep a cool bag with you to protect any sensitive medicines. Do not leave medicines in a hot car. Contact your hotel to ensure you have a fridge if required.
- Carry a copy of all prescriptions. A letter from the prescriber detailing the medicines with the generic names for the medications can be helpful for border control checks, and in case medicines have to be replaced or medical help is required. Note brand names can vary amongst countries. Carry a note from the prescribing physician on letterhead stationary for controlled substances and injection medications.
- Take out an appropriate level of travel health insurance including repatriation and specific cover for any pre-existing illnesses.
If you need medicines whilst travelling beware of counterfeit medications. These are drugs produced by unauthorised manufacturers. Very often, both packaging and medication appear virtually identical to the authentic medication. Counterfeit medications may contain inactive substances or toxic ingredients, resulting in treatment failure and/or serious harm. Buy from a local pharmacy or physician, although this will not guarantee that your new medicines are not counterfeit.
Worldwide estimates of drug counterfeiting range from one percent of sales in industrialised countries to over 30 percent in parts of Africa, Asia and Latin America. Malaria prevention drugs are also counterfeited. This is recognised as a contributing factor in malaria treatment failures and drug resistance.
Remember travelling with medicines does not normally cause any issues. Enjoy your trip.
For more information visit any of the following websites
https://travelhealthpro.org.uk/factsheet/43/medicines-abroad