NiGeL THOmPSON mARJORie YUe Are YOUR meds banned abroad?
British tourist Laura Plummer is serving three years in an Egyptian jail for smuggling nearly 300 illegal Tramadol tablets into Hurghada airport.
The 33-year-old from Hull says she was taking the painkillers over for her boyfriend who has a bad back, and says she only pleaded guilty in court after a translation error.
Her case highlights the issue of taking medication on holiday, as it can be a real minefield – what’s perfectly legal here may be restricted or even illegal in another country, with the risk of a jail term.
Guidance from travel association Abta says that in most cases taking medication should not stop you from going on holiday, but there are a few precautions you should take.
It may be necessary to have a letter from your doctor stating your need for the medication, also handy in case you need more. You should always have this letter to hand to show to officials and also make sure that you have enough medication with you to see you through the holiday, allowing for any delays.
Always keep your clearly labelled medication in your hand luggage or in a place you can easily reach.
Also, you should find out if your medication contains ingredients that are illegal in some countries. So check with the UK embassy of your destination, and any places you will be transiting, to find out about restrictions (there is a full list of embassies at the gov.uk website). The important thing is to plan well ahead: seek advice from your GP or practice nurse at least 10 weeks before you travel, and at the same time check for local restrictions.
Abta adds it’s a good idea to carry a general covering travel letter – a brief description of your condition and, if appropriate, details of any difficulties that could occur and what assistance you’d need.
Finally, of course, never carry any medication abroad for other people. iwm.org.uk olympicholidays.com. dfds.co.uk
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