Passport, Ticket... and Pills: Travelling with Repeat Prescriptions
At Staffordshire Travel Care, run by Cornwell's Chemists, we provide expert travel health advice from our 10 local branches. Here is our essential guide to travelling smoothly with your medication.
1. Preparation:
The key to a stress-free journey is early preparation.
Check Your Supply
NHS regulations typically allow GPs to provide a maximum of three months' supply of repeat medication for travel abroad. If your trip is longer than three months, you will need to arrange to obtain medication at your destination.
Request Early
Always request your repeat prescription from your GP well in advance—at least 7-10 days before you depart. This allows time for any necessary safety checks, especially if you are requesting an unusually large supply. Sometimes surgeries cannot issue repeat prescriptions too early, so timing is key here.
Get Documentation:
Carry proof that your medication has been prescribed to you. Request a copy of your repeat prescription list from your GP or ask our pharmacy team to print one for you. For certain drugs (like controlled medications) or longer trips, you may need a formal doctor's letter (which is often a private, chargeable service).
2. Packing Smart: Hand Luggage is Key
Where you pack your medication is just as important as having it.
Always Carry On: Pack all essential medication in your hand luggage. If your checked luggage is lost or delayed, you will still have access to what you need.
Keep it Original: Medication should be kept in its original, labelled pharmacy packaging. This clearly shows your name, the drug name (generic name is best), and the dosage, which can be crucial at security or customs.
Liquids and Needles: If you have liquid medication over 100ml, syringes, or needles (like insulin), you must carry a prescription copy or doctor's letter. Inform airport security staff before screening.
The UK Government provides key information for passengers travelling with medicines in their hand luggage through UK airports.
3. The Crucial Check: Controlled Drugs
Some common UK medications are classified as 'controlled drugs' (such as strong painkillers, anxiety medication, or ADHD treatments). These drugs are heavily regulated, and their legal status can vary drastically between countries.
Destination Law: Before you travel, you must check the import rules for your destination country by contacting that country’s embassy or high commission in the UK. Failure to do so could result in your medication being confiscated, or even prosecution.
Special Licence: If you are travelling with a supply of controlled drugs lasting three months or more, you will need to apply for a personal export licence from the UK Home Office.
Travel Safe with Staffordshire Travel Care
Don't let medication worries spoil your trip. For personalised advice on all your travel health needs—from vaccinations to managing specific medical conditions abroad—book a consultation with our travel health experts.
Visit your local Cornwell's Chemists branch in Staffordshire to get trip-specific guidance and ensure you travel safely and legally.