Student Prescription Medication

Taking prescription medication with you for your semester abroad can be complicated but planning ahead will make you prepared for the duration of your stay. Getting prescription medication from the US to another country can be difficult because it is not legal to ship medicine overseas. If you prepare ahead it can make things a lot easier. Every country has different regulations about prescription medication and you should be familiar with the countries rules and regulations before brining medication abroad with you.

The first thing we recommend is for you to talk to your doctor and/or insurance provider to see what they have to say about filling your prescription abroad. The information they have could save you a lot of time trying to track down the information yourself (although we do encourage you to double check just in case!). It can also be helpful to talk to these sources about ordering an extended supply of medication. Being able to order a three or six month supply for your time abroad can save you a lot of hassle!

Some countries its illegal to bring certain medications entirely or they limit the amount you can bring with you. Shipping an illegal drug through the mail can result in serious consequences. Be sure to confirm before you go abroad that your medication is allowed in country. It is always a good idea to make sure you have your medication in the labeled container you received from your physician.

Regulations for different Countries

For more information, check out: Top 10 Things To Know About Medication When Traveling Internationally and Regulations For Internationally Controlled Drugs (skip to “Guidelines”).

United Kingdom

Getting medicine from the US to the UK can be complicated, but taking the time to prepare before going abroad can make things a whole lot easier.

We recommend checking your prescription to see if it is legal in the UK. If so, this makes the process easier. If not, there will most likely be additional paperwork that needs to be filled out in order to bring your medication with you. Many medications that are classified as either a narcotic or a psychotropic (medications that affect the central nervous system) require documentation. You can check with your doctor or pharmacist for this information, or look it up yourself. If the medication is not legal, you will need a document from your doctor stating your name, name of the prescription, dosage, amount of medication prescribed, and your doctor’s stamp/signature. Have these documents within reach when you travel in case they are required at customs.

When it comes to over-the-counter medication, don’t assume what you can easily get in the US will be just as accessible in the UK. Many over-the-counter medicines that are easily available in the US, such as Tylenol or Melatonin, are not available in the UK (although some substitutes are different brand names of US products might be available). If you are planning on purchasing over-the-counter drugs while abroad, double check to make sure they will be available.

If all else fails, check in to the possibility of going to a private clinic in order to get a private prescription. Be advised that this might come with an additional service fee.

For more information, check out:

Spain

Spain is notorious for being strict at Customs; so make sure to do your research about shipping medications.

Please note that prescription medicine mailed internationally through FedEx cannot be mailed as priority. This will affect the amount of time it would take to receive your package. However, UPS does not have these same restrictions, and priority mail for prescriptions is allowed. Documentation for the prescription is still required, and Customs has the right to reject your shipment.

If all else fails, check in to the possibility of seeing a doctor in Spain to get a prescription that can be filled in the country. Please be advised that this process may incur a fee.

For more information, check out:

France

There are a few things you can do when it comes to filling a prescription for a trip to France.

French pharmacies tend to have fewer restrictions than US pharmacies, which could be helpful. Try taking your prescription (make sure it is a copy with your name, the generic name brand, dosage, and your doctor’s signature) to a local pharmacy and see if they can fill it there. If not, it might be necessary to find a local doctor who can write you a new prescription. Please be advised that this process may incur fees.

For more information, check out:

Japan

Japan has a lot of restrictions about bringing medicine into the country; so make sure you know the rules before starting your term abroad.

Japanese law allows for both over-the-counter drugs and prescribed medications to be brought into their country, but there are some strict restrictions to the process. You are allowed to bring a maximum of two months’ supply of over-the counter drugs (assuming they are legal in Japan) with you from the US. In terms of prescription medication, you are allowed a one months’ supply (again, assuming it is a legal drug in Japan). Make sure to have a copy of your doctor’s prescription along with a letter stating the purpose of the medication. If you would like to carry more than a one months’ supply, you will need to fill out a “Yakkan Shoumei,” which is an import certificate.

If complications arise with shipping your medication, Japanese physicians can often prescribe you similar (though not identical) substitutes to US prescriptions. Check with a local physician to find out if this will be possible for you.

Please not that many legal over-the-counter drugs in the US are not legal in Japan. This includes medicines that contain pseudoephedrine (e.g. Sudafed, Vicks inhalers), codeine, Adderall, stimulants, etc. Please check to make sure any medicines you need/plan to bring with you are legal in Japan before packing them.

For more information, check out:

China

There are a few things you can do when it comes to filling a prescription for a trip to China.

Japanese law allows for both over-the-counter drugs and prescribed medications to be brought into their country, but there are some strict restrictions to the process. You are allowed to bring a maximum of two months’ supply of over-the counter drugs (assuming they are legal in Japan) with you from the US. In terms of prescription medication, you are allowed a one months’ supply (again, assuming it is a legal drug in Japan). Make sure to have a copy of your doctor’s prescription along with a letter stating the purpose of the medication. If you would like to carry more than a one months’ supply, you will need to fill out a “Yakkan Shoumei,” which is an import certificate.

In most scenarios, you should be able to have your prescription shipped to you. Along with the medication, this package must contain a copy of your prescription (written in both English and Chinese), your passport cover page, and your contact information. There is a chance you might be contacted by customs for additional information before your package is released.

Chinese pharmacies will not fill a prescription that has been filled by a US doctor. Instead, you will have to take your prescription to a Chinese doctor and get a new Chinese prescription.

For more information, check out: