Taking your Medication on Holiday

Taking your medication on holiday

For some medical conditions, such as asthma, high blood pressure, or diabetes, you may need to take your medication with you when you go on holiday. Some countries have restrictions on the medication you are allowed to take in, and you will need to be aware of these restrictions before your trip.

Before you travel, you will need to…

Know the name of your medication

Your travel insurance should protect you against loss or theft of any medication, but you’ll need to know the name of your medication in case you need to replace it whilst you are on holiday. It may be known under a different name in some countries, or the same brand name may be used for a different drug.

Get a doctor's note

Ask your doctor for a note confirming the name and dosage of your medication. You may need to present this to the airline in order to take your medication on board a flight, or to security in order to take your medication into certain countries. It can also help if you need to replace your medication when you are abroad.

Contact the embassy

If the country you are travelling to has restrictions regarding the medication you are taking, you will need to speak to the consulate or embassy to find out if you are able to bring your medication with you.

Keep the original packaging

Some countries will only allow you to bring medication in if it is in its original packaging.

If you are flying, speak to the airline

In case your hold luggage becomes lost, you should keep any medication in your hand luggage. There are precautions that may need to be taken with some medications, such as insulin, at high altitudes, and your airline will be able to advise you. Please also be aware that cabin crew are unable to administer any medication for you.

Travelling with a prescription

If you are going to be abroad for more than three months, your doctor may not be able to prescribe enough medication for the entirety of your trip. You will need to find out if you are able to obtain more supplies of your prescribed medication before you travel.

If you are travelling with a pre-existing medical condition, you’ll need to make sure that you declare it for your travel insurance policy to be valid. At traveladder.co.uk, this is easy to do with our online medical screening. Please also ensure that you have a valid EHIC before you travel.