What You'll Learn on This Page
- • How to prepare your medications before moving abroad
- • Rules for bringing medications across international borders
- • How to find equivalent medications in your new country
- • Working with local pharmacies and healthcare systems
- • Common challenges and how to handle them
Before You Leave
Preparation before you move makes managing medications abroad much easier. Take these steps while you still have easy access to your current doctors and pharmacy.
Get documentation from your doctor
Request a letter on official letterhead that includes your diagnosis, the generic name of each medication, dosage, and why you need it. This helps at customs and when finding equivalent medications abroad.
Include: Your name matching your passport, diagnosis, medication generic names (not just brand names), dosages, treatment duration, and your doctor's contact information.
Research your destination's rules
Some medications that are legal in your home country may be restricted, require special permits, or be completely banned in your destination. This is especially true for controlled substances.
Check specifically: Stimulants (ADHD medications), opioid painkillers, benzodiazepines, sleep medications, and some antidepressants face restrictions in many countries.
Stock up appropriately
Bring enough medication to cover you while you establish care in your new country. This is typically 90 days' supply, but check the maximum allowed for import.
Consider: Time to find a doctor, time to get an appointment, possible need to try local alternatives, and any waiting periods for insurance coverage.
Get copies of your medical records
Request your full medical records, especially anything relevant to your prescriptions. Having your history makes it easier for new doctors to continue your treatment appropriately.
Bringing Medications Across Borders
International travel with medications requires attention to customs rules. Different countries have different restrictions, and some medications face special scrutiny.
General Guidelines
Controlled Substances
Medications classified as controlled substances require extra attention. Rules vary dramatically between countries.
Common controlled substances
Stimulants (Adderall, Ritalin), opioids (codeine, tramadol, oxycodone), benzodiazepines (Xanax, Valium), sleep medications (Ambien), some anti-anxiety medications
What you may need
Import permit from destination country, letter from your doctor specifying medical necessity, official prescription with quantity limits, special customs declaration
Countries with strict rules
Japan, UAE, Singapore, Indonesia, and many Middle Eastern countries have particularly strict rules. Some medications legal elsewhere are completely banned.
Finding Medications Abroad
Once you're in your new country, you'll need to establish ongoing access to your medications. This usually means finding a local doctor and understanding the local pharmaceutical system.
Generic vs Brand Names
The same medication often has different brand names in different countries, but the generic (chemical) name is universal. Knowing the generic name is essential for finding equivalents.
| Generic Name | US Brand | May Also Be Called |
|---|---|---|
| Paracetamol/Acetaminophen | Tylenol | Panadol, Calpol, Efferalgan |
| Ibuprofen | Advil, Motrin | Nurofen, Brufen |
| Omeprazole | Prilosec | Losec, Omepral |
| Atorvastatin | Lipitor | Torvast, Sortis |
Medications That May Not Be Available
Not all medications are available everywhere. Some are not approved, some are banned, and some simply aren't marketed in certain countries.
- • Newer medications: May not be approved yet in your destination
- • Country-specific formulations: Extended-release versions may differ
- • Combination medications: May need to take ingredients separately
- • Dosage differences: Available strengths may vary
Finding Alternatives
If your exact medication isn't available, a local doctor can help find an alternative. Options include:
- • Same generic drug, different brand
- • Different drug in the same class
- • Different formulation (tablet vs capsule, different release mechanism)
- • Different dosing schedule to achieve similar effect
Working with Local Pharmacies
Pharmacy systems vary significantly between countries. What requires a prescription in one country may be over-the-counter in another, and vice versa.
Prescription Requirements
Prescription rules vary widely:
- • Some countries allow pharmacists to dispense certain medications without prescriptions
- • Prescriptions from other countries may not be accepted
- • Some prescriptions are valid for a single purchase, others for refills
- • Electronic prescriptions are increasingly common
Pharmacist Consultations
Pharmacists in many countries play a larger advisory role:
- • May recommend medications for minor ailments
- • Can often help identify local equivalents
- • May provide basic health advice
- • Can check for drug interactions
Language Considerations
Communicating about medications in another language:
- • Write down the generic name to show pharmacists
- • Show your existing medication packaging
- • Use translation apps for medical terms
- • Ask for written instructions if verbal is unclear
Pharmacy Hours and Access
Access varies by country:
- • Some countries have 24-hour pharmacies in major cities
- • Rotating duty pharmacies for nights/weekends
- • Hospital pharmacies for urgent needs
- • Online pharmacies (where legal) for convenience
Insurance and Costs
Medication costs vary dramatically between countries. Understanding how your insurance handles prescriptions helps avoid surprises.
Insurance Coverage for Prescriptions
Check your policy's prescription coverage
Some plans have separate deductibles or limits for medications
Understand the reimbursement process
You may pay upfront and claim later, or insurance may pay directly
Check for formulary restrictions
Some insurers only cover specific medications or generics
Cost Differences
Medications often cost significantly less abroad than in the US. Even without insurance, you may find prices much lower. However, the reverse can also be true for some medications.
Tip: Compare prices at multiple pharmacies. In some countries, prices are regulated and consistent; in others, they vary between pharmacies.
Common Challenges
These issues frequently affect expats managing prescriptions abroad.
Running out before establishing local care
Finding a doctor, getting an appointment, and obtaining a local prescription takes time. Bring more medication than you think you need, and start the process early.
Medication not available locally
Work with a local doctor to find an alternative. If no good alternative exists, explore options like international pharmacies that ship (where legal) or trips back to your home country.
Doctor unfamiliar with your condition or medication
Bring comprehensive medical records. Consider seeking a specialist rather than a GP for complex conditions. Your home country doctor may be willing to consult remotely.
Different treatment approaches
Medical practices vary between countries. A local doctor may recommend different medications or doses than you're used to. Discuss your concerns openly and ask for explanations.
Customs confiscation
If your medication is confiscated at customs, seek immediate medical attention to get a local prescription. Having documentation helps prevent this, but it can still happen with controlled substances.
Where to Go Next
Managing prescriptions is one part of healthcare planning abroad. Explore related topics.
Sources Consulted
Official Resources
- Country customs authorities – Rules on importing medications
- International Narcotics Control Board – incb.org – Controlled substance regulations