Updated February 2010

Transportation of personal medicines by travellers

Travellers who need to carry medication should be aware that the legal status of medicines in other countries may be different than in the UK. The requirements regarding carrying medicines for personal use across international borders are variable and often not consistently enforced. This applies to both over-the counter and prescribed medication.

Some countries do not allow certain types of medicines to be imported; others require official documentation to prove that drugs have been prescribed by an authorised medical practitioner and have been legally acquired [1]. Regulations regarding whether a traveller needs to carry a physician’s letter/note describing the medications varies widely.

Transportation of internationally controlled drugs

Under UK law [2], travellers travelling to or from the UK are required to obtain a personal import or export license from the Home Office for certain quantities of drugs (usually if carrying greater than a 3 month supply). This license covers the import or export to or from the UK only.  Controlled drugs covered under this license are classified and listed in the U.K. under Schedule 2 of the Misuse of Drugs Act 2001 [3].  

Examples of Schedule 2 drugs are:

Cyclimorph (Morphine Tartrate), Durogesic (Fentanyl), Pethidine (Pethidine Hydrochloride), Phenobarbitone (Phenobarbitone Barbiturate), Physeptone (Methadone Hydrochloride), Ritalin (Methylphenidate Hydrochloride), Rohypnol (Flunitrazepam), Sevredol (Morphine Sulphate), Temazepam (Temazepam), Temgesic (Buprenorphine).

A list of permitted allowances for controlled drugs that can be taken out of the UK without a Home Office license is available from HM Revenue & Customs. Destination countries may still require official documentation for these controlled drugs and requirements should be carefully checked, even where an export license is not required by UK authorities.

In addition, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) has developed regulatory framework guidelines, which can be adapted by individual countries, dealing with travellers carrying internationally controlled drugs for personal use [1].  Types and doses of drugs that fall under this regulatory guidance, required documentation (e.g. certificate, prescription or permit), and model certificates are detailed within the document.  

Advice for Travellers

• Review medication regulations for the countries to which you are travelling with the relevant authorities (UK Home Office, embassy and Ministry of Health of the destination country/countries). This is especially important if intending to travel with a controlled drug.
• Always carry medicines in a correctly labelled container as issued by the pharmacist
• Carry a copy of all prescriptions, including generic names for drugs, along with the actual medication in the hand luggage.

• Ensure adequate supplies of medication are carried in both hand and hold luggage in case of loss of baggage in transit.
• Obtain a note from the prescribing physician on letterhead stationary for controlled substances and injection medications.
• A note from a doctor may also be useful for travellers with chronic medical conditions in case you need to seek medical help.
• Take out an appropriate level of travel health insurance including repatriation and specific cover for any pre-existing illnesses.

References

1. United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime. International guidelines for national regulations concerning travellers under treatment with internationally controlled drugs. CND RES. 46/6, 2003. Available at: http://www.incb.org/incb/en/guidelines_travellers.html

2. Home Office. The Misuse of Drugs Act, 1971. License for personal exportation/importation of controlled drugs. [Accessed 19 February 2010]. Available at: http://drugs.homeoffice.gov.uk/publication-search/drug-licences/Personal_import_export_appl22835.doc?view=Binary

3. The Misuse of Drugs Regulations 2001 Schedule 2.Statutory Instrument 2001 No. 3998. The Stationery Office Limited (ISBN 0 11 039021 0). Available at: http://www.opsi.gov.uk/si/si2001/20013998.htm#sch2

Links

HM Revenue and Customs. Taking medicines with you when you go abroad. HMRC (July 1998). Available at:

http://customs.hmrc.gov.uk/channelsPortalWebApp/channels

PortalWebApp.portal?_nfpb=true&_pageLabel=pageTravel_Info

Guides&propertyType=document&id=HMCE_CL_001589

Foreign and Commonwealth Office travel advice by country