How to Pack Prescription Medicine for Travel Abroad?

Apr. 10

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KEY POINTS

Prioritize Medication Packing
Plan to ensure access to your essential medications. Anticipate delays and pack an ample supply for a stress-free journey.
Optimal Medication Handling
Proper storage and transport are critical for medication efficacy. Utilize pill organizers and carry medications in your carry-on to minimize risks.
Travel Insurance for Medical Needs
Travel insurance is essential for timely medical assistance. It covers emergency expenses, offering peace of mind during your trip.

It’s easy to let things like packing and travel insurance get lost in the shuffle when planning a trip abroad. We’re here to help make sure you can tick the box on these mundane, but extremely important tasks.

It is vital that you have your essential medications and medical supplies when travelling internationally, or even when just crossing state / provincial borders. Proper planning can potentially save your life while also providing a stress-free and safe trip.

Let’s look at the logistics required to cover these essential requirements.

① Packing Prescription Medication

Your health is paramount. It dictates that you need to plan well in advance to ensure you have access to your essential medications during your trip.

First, make a comprehensive list of all medications that you currently take. Include all pertinent information including the brand name, dosage instructions, condition they treat, and prescribing physician. Make hard copies and electronic copies of this list.

Next, anticipate unforeseen travel delays that could prolong your stay, and ensure you pack an ample supply. Access to healthcare differs from one country to another and may involve significant time and expenses; therefore, it is advisable to take this simple step to make your trip less stressful.

We recommend that you keep your medications in their original labelled containers. This will help you maintain your regiment while also avoiding confusion with border crossings and foreign medical service providers.

You should also consider obtaining a letter from your doctor explaining the medical necessity of each medication. Be sure to ask about any associated fees they may charge prior to having the letter drafted.

② Medication Storage & Transport

Proper storage and transport of certain medicines can be vital to maintaining their efficacy and safety. Typically, you should store your medicines in a cool and dry environment away from direct sunlight.

Pill organizers can be very useful tools while travelling abroad. A simple daily pill organizer with morning and evening compartments may not suffice for complex medication regimes. You may need a multi-day organizer with compartments for different times of the day or even separate organizers for different medications. Also consider electronic pill dispensers with programmable settings for multiple pills and schedules.

Ensure to pack all your medications in your carry-on luggage and never leave your bags unattended, as the potential for lost or delayed baggage makes storing medication in checked luggage unwise.

③ First Aid Kit

It is always a good idea to have a first aid kit in your home, car, and checked luggage. Your kit may be indispensable depending on the nature of your trip.

We recommend packing your first aid kit in your checked luggage as the plane will have its own medical supplies and you can always replace the kit if your checked luggage is lost or delayed. Also, many items will not be permitted in your carry-on like knives, scissors, and liquids over certain volume limitations.

Consider including the following in your kit:

Emergency contact information
First aid manual
Adhesive bandages
Antiseptic wipes
Sterile gauze pads
Adhesive tape
Tweezers
Scissors
Thermometer
Pain relievers
Antihistamines
Hydrocortisone cream
Disposable gloves
Instant cold packs
Safety pins
Triangular bandage

Other nice to have items:

Sunscreen
Insect repellent
Motion sickness medication

Be sure to keep your first aid kit handy throughout your entire trip.

④ Paperwork for Border Crossings & Medical Facilities

Your local laws and regulations no longer apply once you travel outside your country of residence. To ensure you can always prove you are in legal possession of your prescription medication we recommend you consider carrying the following:

Copy of all prescriptions
Original pharmacy labels indicating contents, dosage, and drug identification number
Explanatory note from your doctor
Copy of your health insurance information

Take the time to learn any pertinent information related to drug importation regulations of your destination country. This will ensure a smooth transition through customs.

Your trip planning should include assessing the accessibility and quality of medical facilities in the area. Carrying a medical alert card or bracelet, specifying your medical conditions and emergency contacts, can improve your access to these facilities in case of an emergency.

⑤ Language Barriers

You do not want to be stuck in translation during a medical emergency. It can waste precious time while impacting your quality of care, cost, and stress-level.

Consider these options to mitigate the language barriers:

Translation apps
Carry a medical translation card containing essential phrases / medical terms
Learn basic medical vocabulary related to your condition
Request assistance of locals (hotel staff, tour guides)
Contact your travel insurance provider’s 24/7 travel assistance team

⑥ Refilling Prescriptions Abroad

You should always try to pack sufficient essential prescription medications to last beyond your trip end date (see above). Nonetheless, you may still run out during your trip.

Do not wait until the last minute to secure a prescription while abroad. It can take time to see a local healthcare provider, receive an assessment, and then obtain and fill a prescription.

Your travel insurance provider may provide valuable assistance throughout this process.

⑦ Travel Insurance & Medical Services Abroad

Travel insurance can be your ticket to obtaining timely access to quality medical services. It often includes:

Emergency medical expenses
Medical evacuations
Medical repatriations

Many policies also offer coverage for pre-existing conditions subject to specific qualifying criteria.

Be sure to read your policy carefully if you are contemplating any form of adventure travel (e.g., parasailing, rock climbing, mountaineering). You may need to choose specific riders or a specialty policy to ensure you have the unique coverage you require.

You should keep a copy of your policy handy throughout your trip. You might find it helpful to consult it while accessing the following services, which are available around the clock and provided in multiple languages by many providers: