Vibha Lifesavers gets countless enquiries about taking medicines overseas & international customs regulations. In many cases such medicines are essential for an individual’s health & the ultimate success of their holiday or business trip. Issues surrounding taking prescription medicines overseas can cause a great deal of stress for travellers, especially elderly travellers, who often have pre-exiting health conditions & increased health concerns. This should not be a barrier to travel if you follow a few simple rules:


1. Talk to your doctor or a travel medicine specialist & discuss both the prescription & over the counter medicines that you will need to take with you; take only those for personal use.


2. Contact the embassy of the country you are visiting to ensure the medicine is legal there.


3. Carry a letter from your prescriber with your prescription medicines. The letter should include the name of the medicine, how much you are taking or sending, & state that the medicine is for your personal use.


4. All medicines should be kept in their original container displaying your name & dosage requirements, & carried in hand luggage to prevent their loss.


Because a prescription from your doctor here cannot be filled overseas, & familiar over the counter medicines may not be available in foreign countries, it is also important to carry an adequate supply for the entire trip plus some extra in case of travel disruption or delay.