Statement from your doctor on your health and medicines for travel
If you are taking needles, syringes or a prescription-only medicine with you, it is a good idea to ask your doctor to write a statement explaining, in English, that he has advised you to take the items with you. This will help to avoid any problems with customs officers.
You may also find it helpful to have that statement translated in to French and Spanish depending on your destination.
The doctor's letter may take the form of an explanation 'To whom it may concern' in which the doctor explains that he has prescribed the medication for you, or that the needles and syringes you are carrying have a purpose (either for regular medication, such as insulin, or for emergency use).
Because this letter is not part of the normal items of service that your doctor provides free under the NHS, they are entitled to charge a small fee for such a letter.
An alternative to the letter may be to take a photocopy of the prescription on which the medicine was supplied. But here you should bear in mind that if the text is in a foreign language, which the customs officers do not understand, it may irritate them.
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About This Page
Author / Source: |
Dr Stephen J Clayton |
Date Last Reviewed: |
29 September 2007 |
Next Review Date: |
28 September 2008 |
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