Taking meds abroad

[Jafib53]

I will be travelling abroad soon (back to UK from Japan). I am on an anticoagulant and my doctor has said he can give me some meds for a PIP just in case. Do you need to show anything at customs or have proof of what drugs are in order to take prescription meds abroad.? I have a prescription notebook (although all written in Japanese) - will that be enough? I have never been on any meds before.

[BenHall1]

Hi,

My last trip between Sydney and Heathrow through Narita I was medication free. On other occasions I’ve done Heathrow to Sydney and return ( a month later ) via HK and/or KL and all I’ve done is get my prescribing GP to write a letter stating the purpose of my prescription drugs and I take a copy of my most recent prescription. No sweat. ( Sometimes I have stopped over at HK or KL ( wherever ) sometimes just changed aircraft/airlines at HK or KL - never a problem ).

If you can obtain and ‘authorised’ English translation of your prescription notebook all well and good if not take it with you and if any authority needs a translation then they can get it. From memory I think when leaving Narita you have to go through outward Customs. When you get to Heathrow you have two choices go through the lane where you declare anything and everything or go down the green lane and risk a random ‘stop and search’.

If you have a problem I would be certain there is, deep in the bowels of Heathrow – some one or a group of people who can translate – even maybe members of staff at the Heathrow JAL desk.

I don’t think in either country it is mandatory to take proof of legitimacy of medication being carried but it is wise and sensible to do so. I have always packed a weeks medication in my carry on cabin baggage (in the event of unexpected delays ) and the rest in my hold baggage particularly in case the two baggage items get involuntarily seperated. . I’ve never had a problem even on the occasions when I have been stopped. I travel on two passports Australian and British so at either end of the journey I tend to upset immigration more than customs people. At least a Japanese prescription document would suggest you are a genuine patient/ traveller and not trying to hide anything. My medication is Warfarin, Nebivolol, Simvastatin, Ramipril, Felodopine and my Bioquinone Q10.

Well that’s my experience, hope it helps. Have a great trip.

John

[Jafib53 in reply to BenHall1]

Thank you. I don't think it should be a problem and I think I can get my doctor tro write a note saying what they are (but again, in Japanese).

[Tplongy in reply to Jafib53]

Just a note, my doctor said they would charge £40 for such a 'note' for travel - not sure if this is widespread or just my doctors.!

[CDreamer]

I’ve never been questioned about meds coming into a country, only when leaving. If you pack them in hand luggage for the plane it’s the usual thing about putting in a clear plastic and always good to take some sort of prescription paperwork with you, even if in Japanese! It was very useful for my husband when he ran out of meds and needed a refill whilst on holiday in Portugal a few years ago as we just went to the pharmacy and explained what happened and they provided enough to get us home. We had to pay full price of course but were able to reclaim that back.

I think it may depend more upon your nationality, how you ‘look’ and where you are travelling from as to whether or not you get stopped, questioned and searched eg: South America or other countries which are known to supply narcotics and use mules.

[BobD Volunteer]

Always best to carry any prescriptions as proof of right to posession regardless of what you take. An inspecting officer has no way of knowing what is in any tablets you carry so the least chance of confusion the better.

[Jafib53 in reply to BobD]

Thank you!

[Hidden]

My sister who lives in Muscat has to have prescriptions with her when she travels between UK and Oman.

[Frances123]

I have never had a problem taking my medication abroad or had a doctor’s letter. I do always take latest copy of prescription, the one you get when picking up medication from pharmacy if they do that in Japan, with me though. Always take your medication in their packaging/blister packs so if stopped they can see straight away what it is. Never had to bother though.

[Jafib53 in reply to Frances123]

Thanks. Yes, I get a prescription note pasted in a prescription book I have and with the meds still in packaging, I am hoping it should be okay.