Travelling to UK with medication

[Lasagne777]

I am travelling from Cyprus to UK via Istanbul . I read that one should have a letter signed by the doctor who prescribed any medication while abroad to take into UK. Had anyone had this experience if prescribed prednisolone or methylprednisolone abroad. I also take Thyroxine tablets daily . It says the letter should contain

Name

Dates of travel

List of medication and how much person is taking in to country

Dosage

Signature of Dr who prescribed the medication abroad.

Any advice if anyone has had to do this while on prednisolone steroids or thyroxine and would I be wise to take such a letter with me.

Thanks .

[PMRpro Ambassador]

No-one has ever asked me travelling from Italy to the UK! Though I have only been twice since the UK left the EU so that may have made a difference, I carry the list of medications the hospital issues me after every adjustment and put all medications into 1 litre ziploc bags of the sort used for liquids in my handluggage. I lay them in the trays at security and tell them what they are. No-one shows the slightest interest!

Did what you read say "steroids" specifically? Entering Australia they are interested in anabolic steroids but not CORTICOsteroids.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to PMRpro]

I wonder if it’s because Lasagne is travelling via Istanbul - but this link does state same -

gov.uk/take-medicine-in-or-...

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to DorsetLady]

I wondered that.

[Lasagne777 in reply to PMRpro]

No not specifically steroids. It was on Gov.co.uk . Will read again and check if all medication or only specific ones. It just said if the medication was prescribed abroad which mine was. I like the idea of putting them in a ziplock bag like liquids so they can see them clearly . Thankyou PMRpro .

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

I have always taken copy of prescription and all meds in original packets and in a liquids bag and in hand luggage like PMRpro has sufficed… but GovUK does state above, So probably safer to do that, just in case you encounter a jobsworth..

[Lasagne777]

Yes I think because the steroids were prescribed abroad it would be safer to have signature of the doctor on the list of medication. Thankyou Dorset lady.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to Lasagne777]

Agree.. Better to have a bit of hassle getting letter before you leave than at airport on arrival!

[Lasagne777 in reply to DorsetLady]

Absolutely , thanks for confirmation as felt I should act on the safe side .

[AmberGamble]

I just flew from U.K. to Cyprus, and back. I’ve done it twice now in the past few months. Nobody either end wanted to see the medications list even though I’m on so many as we are here for a month, that I can bring an extra bag! I have insulin too which can’t be frozen but must be refrigerated so it can’t go in the hold. Also Blood Glucose Monitors which can’t be scanned or go through Xray. They just looked at the boxes one time, then this time the guy swiped them and tested the swipe thingy.

I had been so anxious about it all prior to my first trip with all this additional stuff but found it no problem. Nobody seemed interested TBH so you should be fine with the preparations you’ve made, just in case!

[Lasagne777 in reply to AmberGamble]

Thank you so much . Your experience is so reassuring . Yes at least I know what is required just in case. Hope you enjoyed Cyprus x

[AtopicGuy]

I visited Turkey via Istanbul two years ago. They took no interest in my stock of prednisolone, nor my 5 or 6 atopy meds. I made sure they were in the original packaging, along with the chemist's dispensing prescription list. I put them inside a clear plastic bag, inside my hand luggage, in case my hold suitcases go astray. As others have said, fish out the bag and place it on top of the scanner tray at security so it can be viewed. The easier you make their job, the better. They meet thousands of passengers with medication every day. It's the people with something to hide they are looking for.

[Lasagne777 in reply to AtopicGuy]

Thankyou , that's reassuring and yes will follow all advice given by so many on this forum. Thankyou. X

[Burroughs123]

I travelled to Dubai very recently and had a panic about this - but found a list of what meds they required doctors’ notes for and it was mostly barbiturates, anti-depressants etc - anything that had a “street value” or was addictive in some way. Cocodamol was on the list. They are not interested in steroids, methotrexate etc but it’s always a good idea to take your last prescription with you in your hand luggage along with your meds in their original packaging. Have a look at the Turkish Embassy site to see if they list anything.

[Lasagne777]

Thankyou for your valuable information . X

[MarkWin]

Whilst HMG state what you ought to do, I hope they are chasing serious criminals rather than a few prescription drugs. I have been checked a few times in and out of Europe, and even to Gibraltar from Gatwick! However, I always carry meds and repeat prescriptions in hand luggage in transparent plastic ziplock but do not have insulin etc so it seems to be easier. Some states do change their rules from time to time and it is always preferable to carry as normal rather than secreted away.

[Gimme]

I've travelled all over the world, both to and from the UK, carrying medication, both prescribed and proprietary over the counter medicines and never once over the last 4 decades has anyone ever shown the slightest bit of interest in my medicines. That's pretty good going, since I have been to several of the Central and South American countries where drug muling can be a big deal. Even when I left Bolivia last November, where I have never had so many drug checks on the way out of one country, they were not interested and neither were the multiple packs of sniffer dogs. I always keep my medicines in the original packaging, except for the bare minimum that I need to take during the flight and for prescription meds I carry the printout of the scrip with my passport for easy access. The only countries that I am extremely careful about carrying medicines, are when I have had to transit through middle eastern countries to change aircraft, where carrying certain painkillers could have you thrown into jail, and they do check your luggage through security for a flight change.

[Lasagne777]

Thankyou Gimme. That's reassuring . I have a form /letter signed by my internist as we buy the medication they prescribe here so no new prescription . Also got all in original packaging and the max 3 months supply . Should be fine with that . Good to hear about MEast as may have to travel to Dubai at some point next year so better do a check there .thanks for replying .

[Lasagne777 in reply to Lasagne777]

Just as many reported no one was really interested in looking at any of my medication today on the flights or my letter , but felt more confident having the signed letter. Thanks everyone for your advice .

[JessFM]

Hi, I do know that in order to travel with prescribed medication you do have to have the medication in there original box that is labeled.