Forgetting or losing your medications on a trip or vacation can be scary, but there is no need to panic. You can get a supply of your medication to last you for the rest of your trip in many ways.
A pharmacist can provide a ‘short supply’ of medications to last you until you get home.
Here are several ways you can access a ‘short supply’ of medication while on vacation:
Use your travel insurance
Going on vacation can be stressful, and medications can be just one of the many important things you have to remember. Please make sure you purchase travel health insurance before going on a trip. This can help you access a new and short supply of medication if you lose or forget yours.
Some travel insurance providers will allow you to contact your insurance provider directly and receive comprehensive help to access your medication. Others may also cover any out-of-pocket expenses you incur from accessing your medication if you are abroad.
This includes contacting a doctor and advising you on your next steps.
Contact a doctor for replacements
If you do not have travel insurance, there is no need to panic. There are other ways to access your prescription medications. This is where telehealth services are helpful, as they allow you to contact a healthcare professional and receive prescription transfers easily.
The first step you take is to contact a primary healthcare professional. Depending on the type of medication you need access to, they can forward your prescription to a nearby pharmacy.
The pharmacy will then likely give you a short supply of your medication to see you through until you return home. The types of medication you will be able to access and what you will need to access it will depend on where you are traveling.
For example, if traveling to a country within the European Union, you will need the following information on your prescription to access medication from a pharmacy:
- your surname and first name
- your date of birth
- the date of issue of the prescription
- details of the prescribing doctor, including their full name, qualifications, contact details, address, and signature
- the generic name of the medication
- the format of medication, such as oral tablet
- the strength of the medication
- the dosage
It may be helpful to find out what information you require on your prescription before speaking with a doctor.
Visit a local pharmacy
If you are on vacation within the United States, receiving replacements for your lost or forgotten medications should be simple.
Once you identify your nearest pharmacy, you can contact your pharmacy at home and ask them to transfer your prescription.
You will then have to inform the pharmacy near you that they should expect a prescription transfer.
On vacation abroad
Depending on where you are going on vacation, you may not need a prescription for certain medications that usually require one in the United States. This is common in Mexico, for example.
But, if you do decide to buy replacements for your lost medication without a prescription, it’s important to be aware of the risks.
Some countries have problems with counterfeit medications. These are medications that do not meet quality control guidelines.
The effects of counterfeit medications can be as serious as they contain toxic ingredients that cause serious harm and may not be effective.
To avoid buying counterfeit medications, you can take the following steps:
- only buy from licensed pharmacies that can provide a receipt
- ask the pharmacist to check if the ingredients within the medication match that of your current medication
- avoid low quality packaging
What to remember when traveling with medication
When going on vacation, it is essential that you take enough medications so that they would last the duration of your trip.
Most countries allow up to 30 days’ worth of medications with you. If it is a prescription medication, you will need to take a copy of the prescription with you. If your medication is a controlled substance, such as insulin, you will need to bring a note from a healthcare professional.
Speak with a healthcare professional beforehand. They will help you understand how to safely travel with your medication, as some may need refrigeration to remain effective.
Common examples of medications that need refrigeration include:
- certain immunosuppressive drugs, such as adalimumab (Humira)
- diabetes medication, such as insulin aspart (Novolog)
- reconstituted antibiotics, such as amoxicillin (Amoxil)
If traveling on a plane, packing your medications in your hand luggage is a good idea. This will reduce the risk of losing them if your luggage gets lost or misplaced. It is also important to bring your medications in their original packaging with the prescribing information, such as the dosage and generic name.
The International Narcotics Control Board (INCB) can be a great tool for finding in-depth information on controlled substances and individual country’s regulations.
If you need help covering the cost of medications, the free Optum Perks Discount Card could help you save up to 80% on prescription drugs. Follow the links on drug names for savings on that medication, or search for a specific drug here.
