Common over-the-counter and prescription medications are banned or controlled in many countries, putting travellers at risk of jail sentences. Here’s how they can travel safely by planning ahead.
When going overseas, many travellers may not think twice about taking medication into another country, even common over-the-counter medicines. However, organisation and planning ahead are crucial steps when carrying any medicine to countries where certain restrictions may be in place. To avoid problems while travelling, it’s important that holidaymakers check the medicine restrictions in their destination country. Not being familiar with the laws and regulations could see travellers deported, or worse, imprisoned. From prescription medications to over-the-counter drugs, it’s vital for travellers to know what they can and can’t take with them. At DocHQ, we have developed Travel Medicine Certificate, a secure and reliable service to help ensure that all travellers have a safe and stress-free trip.
What are the risks when taking medication abroad?
In November 2017, 61-year-old British man Perry Coppins was jailed for five weeks in the UAE while awaiting trial for a potential four-year prison sentence for carrying prescribed anti-anxiety medication. Despite carrying paperwork from his GP for his medication, he was unaware that the six-month supply he carried for the duration of his trip exceeded the three-month limit imposed by the UAE.
Travellers need to be informed on the risks that can appear when travelling with medication. For example, when visiting a country in the Asian Pacific region, they may find the majority of medications, including certain antibiotics, antidepressants, and antimalarial drugs are illegal. Even if they have a prescription from their doctor, the medication may still be prohibited from entering the country. Travelling without the correct documentation for your medication may impact your travel insurance. Many travellers are unaware that countries impose their own rules on the types and quantities of medications allowed across their border, and require additional documentation which can take up to 12 weeks to process.
DocHQ Travel Medicine Certificate
As a trusted travel health provider, we at DocHQ have developed a way to ensure that travellers’ safety is secured when travelling, with our Travel Medicine Certificate service. By visiting the DocHQ Travel Medicine Certificate website, travellers can find out if there are any restrictions on the medication they wish to carry to their chosen destination and, if necessary, purchase the Travel Medical Letter service, which includes a doctor-verified Travel Medical Certificate to present at border control.
DocHQ’s Travel Medical Letter service will detect any controlled or prohibited substances and advise travellers if they need to seek alternative medication. As well as the doctor-verified certificate for their medicines, customers will also receive a Travel Guidance Letter listing all the country’s rules and restrictions, and be directed to any further documents required by external authorities ahead of their trip.
How the process works
Travellers can check their medication on DocHQ’s Travel Medicine Certificate website for free. They can then purchase Travel Medical Letter service, where a DocHQ GP will review their information alongside the regulations of their destination. For non-restricted medicines, a next-day Travel Medical Certificate will be emailed* along with a Travel Guidance Letter with further information on their destination country’s medicine restrictions and guidance on additional documentation required from external authorities.
*Next-day dispatch Monday-Friday. Some countries require further documentation in addition to a Travel Medical Certificate, which can take up to 12 weeks to process, so it’s advised to plan in advance.
Conclusion
Planning ahead is key. DocHQ’s Free Travel Medicine Checker service allows customers to find out if their medication is allowed in their chosen destination, and ensure that they only carry allowed strengths and quantities and are carrying the correct documents, for stress-free travel.
