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26th July 2024
10:33am BST
Brits have been issued a warning over common pills that could get you jailed in many favourite holiday hotspots.
Thousands of people from the UK could be unknowingly risking being banged up abroad just for bringing prescription medicine and over-the-counter drugs on holiday with them.
Over the next few weeks millions of Brits will be heading off to sunnier pastures to escape our island's gloomy grey skies.
However the grass may not always be greener on the other side, especially if you end up spending your escape to the sun surrounded by the four walls of a prison cell.
In order to avoid such a scenario unfolding, Well Pharmacy has identified five medications that will be most problematic and could end with a run in with the wrong side of the law.
The five medications are opioids, antihistamines, codeine, sleeping pills and fixed-dose combinations.
Opioids are banned in more than 25 countries , including over-the-counter variations such as codeine in popular European destinations such as Germany as well as down under in Australia.
Middle-Eastern and Far East countries are very strict on what medicines can and can't be brought in with Japan enforcing an anti-stimulant ban which forbids the use of antihistamines, often used by sufferers of hay fever.
Furthermore Japan also wont permit inhalers such as those sold by Vicks.
Meanwhile for the masses of the Brits who travel to Dubai yearly, the UAE has blanket ban on a plethora of common over-the-counter drugs sold in the UK.
In the case that a travellers from the UK bring sleeping pills such as temazepam into the Emirate, they could be facing time in jail if caught with the drug.
India placed a ban on fixed-dose combinations at the end of last year which includes Amoxicillin and paracetamol which carry a possible six month sentence in jail as well as a 10,000 rupee (£93) fine.
One sunny, British tourist favourite destination, Greece, has a tough policy on the number of prescribed medicines that can be brought into the country.
Only five different prescribed medicines and no more than two boxes of the medicine are allowed.
If a person requires more medication, permission will be needed to be sought on arrival into the country from the Greek National Organisation for Medicines
If more medicine is required, then permission must be acquired on arrival into the country from the Greek National Organisation for Medicines, however codeine will not be permitted.
For any fans planning on attending the 2026 World Cup partly hosted in Mexico, inbound travellers will need comprehensive documentation from their doctor stating required quantities and total amount of any prescriptions they are bringing for the stay.
The entire prescription must be written in Spanish.
Phew, that's a lot to remember.
George Sandhu of Well's pharmacy warned about the potential naivety of some traveller in regards to medication policy in foreign countries.
He said: “It is important that holidaymakers understand that over-the-counter medications must be stored correctly and in date when taken abroad. Whilst the United Kingdom offers a variety of over-the-counter medications, there are various laws around the world which differ from our own.
“British holidaymakers should be aware of the dangers when travelling with prescribed medication and make sure that they always carry a doctor’s note with their medicines. If holidaymakers find medicines that are out of date whilst packing their suitcase, then they should take them to their nearest community pharmacy to be disposed of safely."
He added: "If any patients are in doubt about their medications before travelling then speak to your pharmacist who will be able to offer advice."
Croatia, Japan, the UAE, Austria, Belgium, Mexico and New Zealand are all destinations that could send you to jail for importing banned medication, while a faux pas in Luxembourg could see you slapped with a £4200 fine.
So, remember to check your medication against your destination's drug policy before embarking on your next trip.
