Repeat prescriptions and taking your regular medicines abroad

If you take a regular medicine, such as an inhaler, insulin, ADHD medication or acne treatment, running out far from home is stressful and can be dangerous. Plan supplies the way you plan flights: early, with paperwork.

Before you leave home

• Book a review with your home doctor a few weeks before you go. Ask for enough supply to cover the move, plus a doctor's letter listing each medicine by its generic name and dose.
• TravelHealthPro says to check the rules for each country you travel to or through with its embassy or high commission, because some countries ban certain medicines or need permission, including some sold over the counter in the UK.
• Ask your doctor whether any of your medicines are controlled (for example some painkillers, ADHD and anxiety medicines). These need the most planning.
• Ask how to register with a doctor at your destination who can continue the prescription (see the first lesson in this module).

Packing and flying with medicines

• Keep medicines in their original labelled pharmacy packaging and carry copies of your prescriptions, as TravelHealthPro advises.
• Carry them in hand luggage, and TravelHealthPro also suggests packing some spare in hold luggage in case hand luggage is lost or stolen.
• Contact the airline in advance if you fly with insulin, other injectables or oxygen.
• Pack enough for the whole journey plus extra for delays.
• Check storage instructions: some medicines need temperature control in transit.

Bringing medicines into the UAE

• Gulf News (August 2025) reports that controlled and semi-controlled medicines need prior approval from the Ministry of Health and Prevention (MOHAP) through its 'Permit to Import Medicines for Personal Use' service, which it says is free.
• It reports that the quantity must not exceed your need, with a maximum of three months' supply, and that you need a recent stamped prescription and a medical report.
• For a patient under the legal age, it says a guardian submits the application.
• TravelHealthPro warns that medicinal cannabis and CBD products are restricted in many countries and that transit through some airports, such as in the UAE, can cause problems. Do not carry them.
• Rules change, so check the current MOHAP service before every trip into or through the UAE.

Repeat prescriptions in England

• You can order repeats through the NHS App or NHS website, through your surgery's chosen online service, directly with your GP surgery, or at your pharmacy if your GP has set up repeat dispensing.
• You can choose which pharmacy your prescription goes to, and some deliver.
• The NHS advises ordering up to 5 working days before you need your medicine. Set a phone reminder a week before you run out.
• Your new GP may want to review you before prescribing medicines started abroad, so register early and bring your doctor's letter.

If you run out

• In England, the NHS says to use the NHS 111 online emergency prescription service if you have completely run out of a repeat medicine. It asks where you are and when your next dose is due, and may refer you to a pharmacy.
• Some pharmacies can supply certain medicines in an emergency without a prescription, though you may have to pay.
• You can also contact your GP surgery (the answerphone gives out-of-hours details) or an urgent treatment centre. In an emergency, go to A&E.
• Abroad, TravelHealthPro warns about falsified medicines and notes that products with similar names may contain different ingredients or strengths. Only buy from a proper pharmacy, and show the pharmacist your generic medicine names.