Understanding the Legal Aspects of Traveling with Medication
As summer holidays begin, many travelers are not only packing swimsuits and sunscreen but also essential medications. However, traveling with medication is not always straightforward. From legal restrictions to temperature-sensitive drugs, it’s important to understand how to travel safely and legally with your medicine.
Know the Law
Medicines that are legal in the UK can be restricted or even banned in other countries. Having a valid prescription doesn’t guarantee you can take a medicine into another country. For example, Nurofen Plus, which contains codeine (an opioid painkiller), is prohibited in countries like Egypt, Indonesia, and the UAE. Even common cold remedies containing decongestants like pseudoephedrine can lead to trouble in places like Japan and South Korea because pseudoephedrine can be used to make methamphetamine (“speed”). Similarly, many stimulant ADHD drugs are also banned in these countries.
Some countries have restrictions on the amount of medication that you are allowed to bring into the country, usually a maximum of a three-month supply. Travelers often overlook how strict customs regulations can be regarding medications. Even if prescribed for a valid medical reason, carrying a prohibited drug can lead to confiscation, fines, and in rare cases, detention or arrest.
If you’re traveling with certain controlled drugs—such as opioids, stimulants, or psychotropic substances—you may need to apply for an export licence from the UK Home Office. This is typically required when carrying a supply of three months or more. Examples of controlled drugs include diazepam (for anxiety and muscle spasms), codeine and morphine (for pain), amphetamines (for ADHD), and temazepam (for insomnia).
Before you travel, check whether your medicine is affected by any of these restrictions. Use the country’s embassy website or the UK government’s travel advice to check the rules of your destination country. This should provide guidance on whether you simply need a copy of your prescription, a doctor’s letter, or a special import certificate (some countries require official documentation even for personal use).
The UK government advises carrying controlled drugs or any drugs that might be restricted in your hand luggage. You should take along a prescription or a signed letter from your doctor detailing your medication, dosage, and travel dates. Ensure you take sufficient supplies for the duration of your trip and include extras for unexpected delays, damage, or loss.
Store Your Medication Properly
It might be tempting to save space by transferring pills or liquids into smaller containers or pill organizers. While this can be convenient, it’s not always advisable. Customs officials may not recognize unlabelled containers, increasing the chance of delays or confiscation.
Some medications are sensitive to light, air, or temperature and must remain in their original packaging to stay effective. For example, HRT (hormone replacement therapy) sprays like Lenzetto must not be decanted. These products rely on precise metered dosing and specialized packaging to deliver the correct amount of hormone. Transferring them to another container could result in incorrect dosing or loss of potency.
Similarly, GTN (glyceryl trinitrate) tablets, used to treat angina, should always be stored in their original glass bottle. The active ingredient can evaporate if exposed to air, reducing the tablets’ effectiveness.
You might be worried about the 100ml liquid in hand luggage restriction—with a doctor’s letter certifying the need for this medicine, you should be able to take larger amounts of liquid medicine through security. Medicines should always be kept in their original packaging with labels intact. When in doubt, ask your pharmacist whether your medication can be safely repackaged for travel.
It’s also important to split your supply of medicines between bags (if more than one is used) in case one is lost. Tablets and capsules can sometimes be placed in a pill organizer for daily use, but always carry the original box or prescription label as backup.
Some medicines require refrigeration, like Wegovy and Ozempic (semaglutide injections for weight loss) or insulin. Usually, unopened Wegovy pens and insulin preparations should be stored between 2°C and 8°C in a fridge. Once out of the fridge, they can be kept at room temperature (up to 25°C) for up to 28 days, but must be protected from heat and sunlight. High temperatures, such as in direct sunlight or a hot car, can damage insulin.
When traveling, use an insulated travel case or cool pack, but avoid placing pens or other medicines directly next to ice packs to prevent freezing. Airlines generally do not provide refrigeration or freezer storage for passenger items, including medicines, due to space and liability concerns, but it’s worth contacting them to see if they can help with arrangements for storage. Inspect insulin for crystals after flying—if any are present, it should be discarded.
You can bring needles and injectable medicines like EpiPens (for allergies), insulin, or Wegovy in your hand luggage. But it’s important to carry a doctor’s note stating your medical condition and the necessity of the medication, and a copy of your prescription. You should also declare them at airport security. Security officers may inspect these items separately, so allow for extra time going through security.
Don’t Skip Doses
Tempting as it may be to leave your medication behind for a short trip, doing so can be risky. Stopping treatment—even temporarily—can lead to relapse or worsening of symptoms (especially for chronic conditions like diabetes, hypertension, or depression). For medicines like antidepressants or opioids, people may start feeling withdrawal effects. You’re also at risk of reduced effectiveness if you miss doses of medicines that require consistent levels in your bloodstream.
If you’re considering a break from your medication, consult your doctor first. They can advise whether a short pause is safe or help you plan a travel-friendly regimen.
Take the Right Documents
While showing your NHS app to border officials may help demonstrate that a medicine is prescribed to you, it’s not always sufficient, especially when traveling with restricted or controlled drugs and injectable medicines. Most countries require a copy of your prescription and a doctor’s letter confirming the medication is for personal use. Your doctor is not legally obliged to issue this letter, but most will do so upon request.
It’s best to ask at least one to two weeks in advance, as some practices may charge a fee or require time to prepare the documentation.
Traveling with medication doesn’t have to be stressful, but it does require planning. With the right preparation, you can enjoy your holiday without compromising your health or running afoul of foreign laws.
