Medication abroad.

B0bbyEwing

What's the situation regards taking medication abroad. Specifically France in case the country matters. 

I have prescription medication that I take on an as-&-when basis. Some times can be daily, some times months can pass without needing to take. One of these is tramadol. I mention that as this is the one that causes a hold up at the pharmacy from time to time. 

Then while asking about that I may as well include standard paracetamol & ibuprofen in the question also. 

For the stay I'd only need to take 1 or 2 I'd imagine of each but while one of them come in singular wrappings, the tramadol comes in about 10s or 12s I think. I won't need that much at all. 

So how is this supposed to be taken? As I say, I'd only need to take a couple but from what I've read, cutting up the blister thing isn't a good idea? 

Also, I have no prescription 'note'. All I have is the NHS app saying it's on repeat prescription. 

daveyjp

Take the medication in the original packaging and have evidence they are prescribed to you. 

MyRealNameToo

B0bbyEwing said:

What's the situation regards taking medication abroad. Specifically France in case the country matters. 

I have prescription medication that I take on an as-&-when basis. Some times can be daily, some times months can pass without needing to take. One of these is tramadol. I mention that as this is the one that causes a hold up at the pharmacy from time to time. 

Then while asking about that I may as well include standard paracetamol & ibuprofen in the question also. 

For the stay I'd only need to take 1 or 2 I'd imagine of each but while one of them come in singular wrappings, the tramadol comes in about 10s or 12s I think. I won't need that much at all. 

So how is this supposed to be taken? As I say, I'd only need to take a couple but from what I've read, cutting up the blister thing isn't a good idea? 

Also, I have no prescription 'note'. All I have is the NHS app saying it's on repeat prescription. 

Generally you need to check what the status of the medication is in the country you are travelling to. You possibly remember the woman who was arrested in Egypt for bringing in a large quantity of tramadol and spent 13 months in prison before early release. 

France being in the EU has rules not too dissimilar to the UK so Tramadol, as an opioid, is heavily regulated but can be prescribed there. 

You want to take it in its original packaging, a cut up blister pack where you only have half its name is going to be the worst case. Ideally you would bring a prescription or a letter from the doctor confirming its prescribed and what its prescribed for. Personally have never done this but none of my medicines are opioids or other more heavily controlled meds. 

The other obvious thing is to bring an appropriate number for your trip, not the 290 tables that the woman took to Egypt 

Official guidance from UK Gov is https://travelhealthpro.org.uk/factsheet/43/medicines-abroad 

KxMx

I'm on a class 3 controlled medication. 

Recently to Gran Canaria I took my most recent paper prescription, all original packaging so the box with pharmacy label, whole strips containing the number of tablets I needed for my stay, +1 day to cover any flight delays.

To get to the right quantity I took out some pills at home then travelled with all blister packs whole.

Carried in hand luggage. 

jimjames

Never had any issues taking my medication to anywhere (USA, EU, Far East etc), I do tend to have it packed in my suitcase rather than hand luggage but with EasyJet etc it is in cabin bag without issue

Brie

paracetamol and ibuprofen should be readily available in France.   Whether it's in a supermarket or just in a chemist would be the question.  I know when in Germany I've gone into a chemist with the empty pack and just asked pretty please in my shattered German for the same.  Likely someone will speak English or at least be sympathetic enough to want to help.

And because it's readily available there shouldn't be any problem with having some in your hand luggage.  A reasonable amount for the length of your stay.  I'd always ensure when flying to have a few days' worth at least in my hand luggage and the rest in my suitcase.  

Indout96

Brie said:

paracetamol and ibuprofen should be readily available in France.   Whether it's in a supermarket or just in a chemist would be the question. 

But at silly prices, Had to buy a pack of 20 Ibuprofen in Vienna last month and they were £10.66, nearly had to buy smelling salts to bring me round 
£1 for 3 packs of 16 at Poundshop near us.

TELLIT01

I would never put any medication into a suitcase.  I want it with me at all times.  Suitcases do go missing, so simply not worth the risk.

Take it boxed and with the prescription.

B0bbyEwing

jimjames said:

Never had any issues taking my medication to anywhere (USA, EU, Far East etc), I do tend to have it packed in my suitcase rather than hand luggage but with EasyJet etc it is in cabin bag without issue

Easyjet it is.

Brie said:

paracetamol and ibuprofen should be readily available in France.   Whether it's in a supermarket or just in a chemist would be the question.  I know when in Germany I've gone into a chemist with the empty pack and just asked pretty please in my shattered German for the same.  Likely someone will speak English or at least be sympathetic enough to want to help.

And because it's readily available there shouldn't be any problem with having some in your hand luggage.  A reasonable amount for the length of your stay.  I'd always ensure when flying to have a few days' worth at least in my hand luggage and the rest in my suitcase.  

With where we're going I'm not sure how easy it would be to get in to places where you'd find supermarkets etc. 

We're also not taking suitcases. 

TELLIT01 said:

I would never put any medication into a suitcase.  I want it with me at all times.  Suitcases do go missing, so simply not worth the risk.

Take it boxed and with the prescription.

What do you mean by that?

The bit of paper they stick in the bag with your meds that I instantly shred?

Or the bit on the NHS app that says I can order it again?


And thinking about it, I probably wouldn't need to take the Tramadol, which would be the most questionable of the two. Ibuprofen does nothing for me but OH uses it. It's my other prescription meds for migraines I'd certainly need to take because if one of them comes on then that's the holiday ruined if I have nothing for them.

MyRealNameToo

B0bbyEwing said:

TELLIT01 said:

I would never put any medication into a suitcase.  I want it with me at all times.  Suitcases do go missing, so simply not worth the risk.

Take it boxed and with the prescription.

What do you mean by that?

The bit of paper they stick in the bag with your meds that I instantly shred?

Or the bit on the NHS app that says I can order it again?


And thinking about it, I probably wouldn't need to take the Tramadol, which would be the most questionable of the two. Ibuprofen does nothing for me but OH uses it. It's my other prescription meds for migraines I'd certainly need to take because if one of them comes on then that's the holiday ruined if I have nothing for them.

Thats the repeat prescription form. 

Normally you'd get a new paper prescription for your next set of meds and not have it dispensed before the holiday. 

NoodleDoodleMan

I would assume a letter from your GP will provide bona fide evidence that the medication is prescribed.

Worth a call to the surgery to get clarification.