Trouble-free Travels with Medicines
Five Point Plan
Pack Your Pharmacist's Advice

For many people, the last thing on their mind before a holiday is their medicine, but losing medication abroad can have serious health implications. Without a little extra preparation, lost luggage or travel delays can cause more than just a holiday headache.

Your local community pharmacist can help you to ensure that, whatever the weather, you've still got the right medicine.

By following these simple steps, travellers can ensure that their holiday stays healthy no matter what else goes wrong along the way!


Five Point Plan 

Take enough supplies of your medicines to cover several days longer than your holiday, in case your journey is delayed 

Divide your medicine supply between your bags (and ensure that there's a supply in your hand baggage if you're flying) in case of lost or stolen luggage 

If you're travelling on a long-haul destination, check with your pharmacist about any likely problems you may experience with time differences. Some medicines, such as warfarin and some types of contraceptive pills, need to be taken at the same time of day. 

Talk to your pharmacist about the medicines that you take - check that they can survive any extremes of heat or cold on your holiday. Some medicines, such as insulin, should not be stored in the hold of an aircraft because of the changing temperatures. 

Ask your pharmacist to write down the generic (chemical) names of your medicines, rather than the brand names. If you are unlucky enough to lose your medicines, it's much easier to communicate with pharmacists abroad with these, as brand names can change from country to country.


Pack Your Pharmacist's Advice 

The local community pharmacist is a helpful port of call for anyone going on holiday, with advice on all aspects of holiday health. For those on regular medicine, it's an essential first destination!