Albert Road Surgery

Taking Medicines Abroad

You need to check what rules apply to taking your medicine outside of the UK and into the country you’re going to.

If you need prescribed medicine for your health condition, it is advisable to speak to your GP or one of the practice nurse’s about your travel plans at least two months before you are due to depart.

Different countries have different rules and regulations about:

  • the types of medicine they allow to be taken into the country
  • the maximum quantity you can take in

International rules vary, it is advisable to contact the embassy for the country you are visiting.  A full list of foreign embassies in the UK can be found here.

It’s a good idea to travel with a copy of your prescription and a letter from your GP that has: 

  • details of your medicine, including its generic name (not just the brand name)
  • the name of the health condition that you need the medicine for

As well as helping you avoid any problems at customs, this will be useful if you need medical help while you’re away.

It may be worth getting the information translated into the language of the country or countries that you’re visiting.

Be advised that there will be a charge for writing such a letter, as GPs are not obliged to provide the service under the NHS.