Taking large amounts of meds on holiday

[Mike424u]

Morning all, We are planning a 3 month holiday tour to include Brazil, Australia, Hawaii, Tasmania, Singapore, Abudabi,

I currently Take Atorvastatin, Aspirin, Ramipril, Bisoprolol, Clopidogrel.

How do you plan for all the meds for a trip like this, do you just ask for 3 months worth of perceptions and half fill your suit case, if that is the case, do you need any documents from your GP, to prevent being arrested for drug smuggling at airports. If I do take 3 months worth of meds its going to be fair amount, which will effect my luggage limit,

Can I get my meds in the country's I'm going to visit, and just take 3 months prescriptions with me, or would I need to consult a local doctor to get a local prescription. All very confusing on how to go about this.

[MichaelJH Heart Star]

I had Type I Diabetes for over 50 years and only needed additional medication twice. This is no issue in Western Europe and Australia but you may have to pay for the prescription and meds depending on your insurance cover (the first time I found there were more holes in it than a collander).

Apart from Australia I have never visited any of the countries on your list. You probably need to do some research on availability and legality of the drugs in these countries. The BHF helpline may be able to advise. I know that tramadol and co-codamol, for instance, are illegal in some countries.

Lastly you should take your repeat prescription and a covering letter from your GP. And don't forget to get adequate travel insurance!

[MissisF in reply to MichaelJH]

Hi. You definitely need proper advice about Abu Dhabi. We’re off there next month and had a message from our tour operator about the very stringent limits in which drugs and crucially the number of drugs you can take. It said - Please note that prior approval is now required for any medication that is brought into the UAE that the UAE classes as narcotic, psychotropic, controlled or semi-controlled. Passengers can get approval online, at least 5 working days in advance from: mohap.gov.ae/en/services/Pa....

The limit how medication can be brought into the UAE is up to 3 months’ supply of non-controlled medication (standard over-the-counter medicines and non-controlled prescriptions) and one month’s supply of pre-approved, controlled or semi-controlled medications (list of these medications can be found here: mohap.gov.ae/Files/MOH_Serv...

I guess your insurers might help or Saga?

Good Luck & have a fab time.

[MichaelJH Heart Star in reply to MissisF]

I cannot tolerate pain killers like ibrufen or those containing codeine so take tramadol when my back plays up badly (L4 & L5 prolapsed after accident). However, if I tried to take it to the UAE it would be a jail term measured in years not months.

[stevejb1810]

I strongly recommend that you do some online research as to what maybe required in various countries. As has been mentioned below, UAE is quite strict on these matters. Singapore might be quite strict also given their no nonsense approach to drug trafficking (I'm not suggesting you are trafficking but you get the idea). I'm not sure how Brazil will react. At very least, irrespective of country, have a letter from you GP confirming your prescription. Keep all meds in the original packaging making sure your name is clearly legible. Unless you get back advice that says you cannot take everything you need, then take everything you need for the 3 months you are away, otherwise you will have to make other arrangements to get prescriptions in foreign countries (and I would not know where to start with that!). Have a great holiday