Planning Prescriptions Before Travel

Prescription planning belongs near the top of a travel checklist. Begin early enough to account for appointments, refill limits, prior authorization, pharmacy stock, weekends, holidays, and delivery.

Before departure

• Review every medicine, quantity, and travel date with your pharmacist or prescriber.
• Keep medicines in labelled original containers when advised or required.
• Carry a current medication list and copies of relevant prescriptions or letters.
• Confirm storage needs, especially for temperature-sensitive products.
• Check destination and transit-country rules, including controlled medicines.

Keep essential medicines in carry-on baggage when permitted and plan for delays. Ask how to handle time-zone changes rather than guessing with dose timing. Travel insurance and local care access may matter if a medicine is lost or damaged.

International mail-order delivery is not an emergency backup. Know who to contact before you leave.