Brit holidaymakers are being warned to make one urgent check before bringing their medication to the airport – or face potential action when they reach their destination
One of the major parts of packing up a suitcase for holiday is making sure you have the correct amount of medication.
Some people take pain-killers with them as a precaution, while others generally need to take a whole host of tablets on their journey due to pre-existing medical conditions. Whatever your scenario, there are some medicines which need extra attention before you set off on your travels.
Some relatively popular pain-killers are actually restricted in some places, according to experts at Which? who say it’s important to check if your pills are complying with the UK’s Misuse of Drugs Act 1971. If you’re leaving the country with medicine that contains a controlled drug, you’ll have to prove its intended use with a letter from your doctor.
Codeine or medication containing codeine can get you arrested in countries like Thailand and the UAE (United Arab Emirates). These can be found in certain medications, including Nurofen Plus and Solpadeine. Other strong painkillers, like morphine and tramadol, are prohibited, as these are known to be highly addictive.
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Other countries with strict rules on medication are: Greece, Japan, and Mexico. Countries have different restrictions on how much a passenger can bring into the country. Still, a medical letter from a professional will be needed as proof.
If the person travelling intends to be outside of the country for a long period of time, they will need to apply for a personal license from the Home Office at least 15 days before the intended departure date. Which? also recommended keeping the medicine in its original packaging and bringing a copy of the prescription as back-up.
Full list of medications
While restrictions differ for every country, the experts said: “You should be especially cautious if you are planning on travelling anywhere with any of these, or with medical equipment such as syringes or an EpiPen, as you’re likely to need some form of written permission.”
- Codeine or medication containing codeine – typically found in Nurofen Plus and Solpadeine.
- Morphine and tramadol
- Opiate painkillers
- Antidepressants
- Sleeping pills
- Anti-anxiety medication (including diazepam)
- ADHD medication
- Cannabidiol
The government’s foreign travel advice medication advisory for Greece says: “Pharmacies across Greece stock a good supply of medicines, but there are strict rules around dispensing certain medicines, including antibiotics. Bring prescription medicines with you and carry a letter from your doctor stating the quantity required during your stay.
“Keep the medication in the original container with the prescription label. The name on the prescription must match the name on your passport.”