Glastonbury has shared its official advice to anyone taking along prescribed medication to the festival
Glastonbury is just around the corner and festivalgoers will be packing – and repacking – everything they need for the big event. The festival returns to Worthy Farm from June 25, with huge crowds expected.
This year’s line-up features headliners Olivia Rodrigo, The 1975, and Neil Young, along with Rod Stewart taking the Legends slot on Sunday. The huge line-up also includes Charli XCX, RAYE, Fatboy Slim, Wet Leg, The Prodigy, Gracie Abrams, Doechii, The Libertines, Scissor Sisters, Biffy Clyro and more.
Ahead of the festival, many people will be thinking about what they need to take. For some, this will include prescription medication they take regularly and may need while at the festival.
Glastonbury organisers have shared official advice on the topic. According to Glastonbury, it is “committed to maintaining the safety and wellbeing of all persons on site.” and is “very aware that a proportion of the festival audience have a requirement to bring prescribed medicines onto site.”
On the official website, it says that Glastonbury’s general policy is to permit prescription medicines to be brought onto site through pedestrian gates. To ensure that “illicit or potentially dangerous substances” are not brought onto site there are a number of measures enforced.
Rules for taking prescribed medication to Glastonbury
Glastonbury enforces a number rules in order to ensure only prescribed medication is permitted onto the festival site and has shared advice for festivalgoers on its official website. Organisers said visitors should:
- Ensure the medicine is in its original container, with the dispensary sticker and issued in the name of the ticket-holder i.e. DON’T peel the label off or carry someone else’s medication
- Bring the official prescription counterfoil or a letter of explanation from a registered medical practitioner
- Ensure the quantity carried is the minimal required for duration on site
- NOT bring non-essential tablets such as vitamin supplements
- Be prepared to be challenged at the Gate or in the festival but do not seek to conceal medication
- Contact the Festival in advance if the medication is vital to health and wellbeing to ensure that you remain safe and well
- Be aware that a pharmacy and prescription service is available on site
According to the festival website, in some instances, safe storage of medication can be arranged through the onsite medical service (including temperature controlled storage). Visitors should contact [email protected] in advance if this service is required.
On the website, a note reads: “Glastonbury Festival reserves the right to refuse access to patrons carrying substances which cannot be confirmed as being bona fide prescribed medication. In such instances gate staff may require that medicines be surrendered at the gate or returned to a vehicle or similar. Glastonbury Festival will NOT offer a Receipt-and-Collect service.”
At each entry Gate, festivalgoers will find a designated security supervisor who will “handle any complaints or appeals regarding the provenance or safety of medications carried by members of the public.” This supervisor will have access to qualified medical and pharmacist advice via Event Control.
It’s also important to note that there’s a 24-hour GP service, including prescription and pharmacies, available onsite during the festival period. However, unusual medication or that with a short shelf-life is unlikely to be available.