/Be sure to check your medication

TRAVELLERS are being urged to be aware of what medications they can - and can’t - bring on holiday with them.

Different countries have different rules about what medicines can be brought into the country - and tourists could find themselves in hot water for innocent mistakes.

Drug laws in Japan are so strict that even some common cold and flu remedies are banned - even the humble Vicks inhaler could lead to an issue.

And while codeine can be bought with a prescription in the UK, it is illegal in many parts of Asia and trying to take it without approval or a permit into the continent could end with a prison sentence.

Fiona Macrae, head of consumer awareness initiative at travelinsuranceexplained.co. uk, said: “Research by travelinsuranceexplained.co.uk found that one in five travellers have travelled on holiday without taking enough medication for the entire duration of their trip, which could leave travellers in remote locations stranded without access to vital medication.

“In other cases, taking too much medication is also a problem because some countries will want to verify that you have the exact amount of medication for the length of the trip, and taking far too much medication could end up with you falling fowl of the law.

“The painkiller Tramadol is illegal in Egypt, people without the relevant approval to take it may find themselves being detained upon arrival. Even more surprising is, due to Japan’s strict anti-stimulant drug laws, any drugs containing pseudoephedrine like cold and flu medication like Sudafed and Vicks inhalers are prohibited, so if you are travelling with these medications to Japan, you will need a letter from your GP confirming why you are taking them and the dosage, even if they are not on prescription.

“We advise people who will bring their medications with them on holiday to ensure they check the guidelines with the Embassy of the country they are travelling to. We also advise them to have a copy of their prescription, keep the medication in the original packaging and get a note from their GP before travelling.”