Travelling soon? Tips for managing your medicines while travelling

We all travel for business or vacations. While it can be easy to get caught up with the preparations, it's important to arrange your medicines and health records carefully.

We all travel for business or vacations. While it can be easy to get caught up in the preparations, it is important to arrange your medicines and health records carefully. The key to safely managing medications while travelling is preparation.

Follow the tips below:

• Pack all your medicines carefully: Arrange both regular medicines and those needed for common ailments separately. Retain original labels and keep medications in original containers. Use tamper-proof bags for security. Additionally, you can maintain a small notebook with the name of the medicine and its purpose.

  
• Keep some stock in your carry-on luggage: Ensure easy access by carrying medicines in your carry-on. Carry adequate stock for your trip and place extra in check-in baggage. Store the medicines in a cool place, avoiding exposure to heat, direct sunlight, or moisture.

  
• Keep your medication schedule: If you are travelling to a different time zone, it can be challenging to keep track of your schedule. Set an alarm on your phone or adjust it to match the new time zone. Carry a 2-week extra supply plus a doctor’s letter explaining conditions to maintain intervals and avoid disruptions.

  
• Carry extra stocks: Make sure to carry an adequate quantity of your medicine, as there may be situations where your trip gets extended. Carry a copy of the prescription with generic names in case you need to buy more.

  
• Keep your doctor and emergency contacts informed: Let your doctor know that you are travelling; they may advise additional precautions, such as vaccines. Make sure there is a way to contact them in case of an emergency. Carry your health reports, if necessary, especially for complex conditions. For international travel, note emergency helplines, local equivalents, and keep a list of nearby hospitals or pharmacies.

  
• Check the rules: Before you travel, research the laws of your destination via embassy websites to ensure that your medicines are allowed to be carried into that country. Some countries restrict specific dosages or medications, such as opioids.