With summer holidays in full swing, many Britons are jetting off abroad, but those carrying prescription medications face unique challenges. A recent incident involving five passengers on a British Airways flight to Amsterdam highlights the risks. Armed Metropolitan Police, acting on intelligence about illegal substances, detained the travellers, only to discover they were carrying legally prescribed medical cannabis with proper documentation. The ordeal led to anxiety-inducing interrogations and confiscated medications, underscoring the need for careful preparation when travelling with prescriptions.

How to travel safely with medications

• Check destination regulations. Contact the embassy of your destination and any transit countries to confirm whether your medication is permitted and what documentation is required. Some nations, like the UAE, have strict rules on controlled substances such as opioids or medical cannabis, with severe penalties for non-compliance. For instance, the UAE lists tramadol and codeine as narcotics, requiring prior approval.
• Carry original packaging. Keep medications in their original, labelled containers from the dispensing pharmacy to prove legitimacy. Pharmacist Thorrun Govind advises, “Ensure your medication is in the original packaging clearly labelled with the pharmacy you got it from and the required dosage.” A prescription copy or doctor’s letter further validates your medication.
• Obtain a travel letter. Request a letter from your doctor or clinic detailing your health condition, medication, and dosage. For medical cannabis, Nabila Chaudhri, medical director at Alternaleaf, stresses: “Patients must also request a travel letter from their clinic, which includes key information about their medication and their status as a patient.” This is critical for controlled drugs like cannabis, legal in the UK since 2018 but heavily restricted abroad.
• Research country-specific rules. Regulations vary widely. France and Portugal are relatively lenient with medical cannabis, requiring minimal evidence, while Spain demands additional documentation. Chaudhri warns: “Patients need to do thorough research on the country’s laws around medical cannabis and the entry process, as some can be stricter than others.” Always verify with the embassy well in advance.
• Pack extra supplies. Carry more medication than needed to account for delays, as advised by Govind: “Pack more medication than you need in case you face travel delays.” Check your travel insurance to ensure coverage for medical emergencies or lost medications.
• Understand controlled drug restrictions. Medications like codeine, diazepam, or medical cannabis may be controlled substances abroad. In the UK, only five NHS patients have received medical cannabis prescriptions since its legalisation, due to stigma and bureaucratic barriers. Chaudhri notes, “There is still a huge stigma and many bureaucratic barriers surrounding medical cannabis, and the majority of NHS doctors are still reluctant to prescribe the treatment due to safety concerns.”

Travelling with medical cannabis presents additional hurdles. Despite its legality in the UK for treating over 50 conditions, including chronic pain and anxiety, international travel remains complex. Chaudhri explains: “Although it is legal in the UK, travelling abroad isn’t always a straightforward process.” Even with embassy approval, uneducated local authorities may cause issues, as seen in the Amsterdam incident.

For all medications, the NHS recommends carrying a medical summary and contacting embassies early, as some countries limit supplies to three months. Liquid medications exceeding 100ml require airline and airport approval, supported by a healthcare professional’s letter.