Finding Medications Abroad and Getting Local Prescriptions: A Practical Guide for Travelers

Imagine landing in Tokyo with a bottle of painkillers you’ve taken for years-only to have customs seize them because they’re illegal there. Or showing up in Dubai with your ADHD medication, only to spend days stuck in an airport office while officials figure out if your doctor’s note is valid. These aren’t rare stories. Every year, tens of thousands of travelers face exactly this problem. The truth is, finding medications abroad isn’t just about knowing where to buy pills-it’s about understanding laws, paperwork, and local medical systems that vary wildly from country to country.

Why Your Prescription Doesn’t Travel Well

Not all medications are created equal around the world. What’s over-the-counter in Mexico might be a controlled substance in Australia. A drug you get without a second thought in the U.S. could be banned outright in Japan or Singapore. This isn’t random-it’s the result of international drug treaties from the 1960s and 1970s that still shape how countries control medicines today. The International Narcotics Control Board tracks these rules, but only 68 out of nearly 200 countries have clearly published their regulations for travelers. That means you’re often flying blind.

Take hydrocodone. It’s a common painkiller in the U.S., listed as Schedule II. In Japan, it’s completely illegal-even with a prescription. Codeine? Available without a prescription in Mexico, but you need special permission in Australia. Even something as simple as pseudoephedrine, found in many cold medicines, is banned in Australia, New Zealand, and the UAE because it can be used to make methamphetamine. In 2025 alone, Sydney Airport confiscated 387 packages of these meds from travelers.

What You Can Legally Bring Across Borders

Most countries allow you to bring in a personal supply of medication, but there are strict rules. The general rule? No more than a 90-day supply for personal use. That’s the standard in 142 countries. But Japan limits narcotics to 30 days. Singapore caps it at 14. And if you’re carrying controlled substances-like opioids, benzodiazepines, or stimulants-you’re in a whole different category.

Here’s what you need to carry:

• Original prescription bottles with your name matching your passport
• A doctor’s letter on official letterhead, listing your condition (using ICD-11 codes), medication names (brand and generic), dosage, and reason for use
• Notarized translations if the destination country doesn’t use English

The CDC’s 2025 Yellow Book says 97% of countries require the original labeled containers. TSA in the U.S. allows medically necessary liquids over 3.4 ounces if declared, but that doesn’t mean other countries will be lenient. Always keep your meds in your carry-on. Checked luggage gets lost-and your medication could disappear with it.

How to Check Rules Before You Go

Don’t rely on Google or travel blogs. Go straight to the source. Start with the embassy or consulate website of your destination country. Look for sections labeled “Health,” “Customs,” or “Medications.” Many embassies have dedicated pages for travelers with prescriptions.

If you can’t find it there, check the International Narcotics Control Board’s (INCB) Country Regulations for Travellers database. It’s updated quarterly and lists rules for the 68 countries that have submitted them. If your destination isn’t listed, assume the worst and contact the embassy directly. Ask: “What documentation is required for a traveler carrying [medication name] for personal use?”

For complex cases-like opioid painkillers or ADHD meds like Adderall-start this process at least 12 weeks before departure. Some countries require pre-approval. The UAE, for example, needs a special permit from the Ministry of Health for even common sleep aids like zolpidem. In 2024, over 1,200 travelers were delayed or turned away because they didn’t get this step done.

Getting a Local Prescription Abroad

What if you run out? Or your meds get lost? You might need to see a local doctor and get a new prescription. This is possible-but not always easy.

In the European Union, it’s relatively simple. Thanks to the European Prescription system, you can take your prescription from Germany to France, Spain, or Italy and fill it at any pharmacy. Over 98% of these cross-border prescriptions are accepted. But outside the EU? It’s a gamble.

In Thailand, many pharmacies will fill a foreign prescription if it’s clear and includes the generic name. In Malaysia? Not so much. Benzodiazepines like Xanax or Valium are banned entirely, even with a valid U.S. prescription. In Brazil, you’ll need to register your medication with ANVISA before arrival, or risk confiscation.

Your best bet is to find a clinic that works with international travelers. The International Association for Medical Assistance to Travellers (IAMAT) has a network of 1,400 verified clinics worldwide. They’re familiar with foreign prescriptions and can help you navigate local rules. Don’t just walk into a random pharmacy. Many don’t know how to handle foreign documents-and might refuse you outright.

What to Do If Your Medication Is Confiscated

If customs takes your meds, stay calm. Arguing won’t help. Ask for a written receipt explaining why they seized it. Request to speak with a supervisor. If you have a doctor’s letter, present it again. If you have a copy of the embassy’s official guidance on medications, show that too.

In some cases, you might be able to get your meds back if you prove they’re for personal medical use. But don’t count on it. In Dubai, a Reddit user lost three days of vacation fighting over 10mg of Ambien-even with WHO documentation. That’s the reality. Prevention is your only real defense.

Medications That Cause the Most Problems

Some drugs are trouble magnets. Here are the top offenders:

• Benzodiazepines (Xanax, Valium, Ativan): Banned in Malaysia, Singapore, UAE, Japan. 43% of all medication-related travel incidents involve these.
• ADHD stimulants (Adderall, Ritalin): Illegal in many Asian and Middle Eastern countries. U.S. students studying abroad report the highest failure rates.
• Opioids (Oxycodone, Hydrocodone): Forbidden in Japan, Singapore, and parts of Southeast Asia. 67% of travelers with opioid prescriptions face access issues.
• Pseudoephedrine: Found in cold meds like Sudafed. Banned in Australia, NZ, UAE. Often confiscated at airports.
• Insulin and injectables: Usually fine, but always carry a doctor’s note. Some countries require special permits for syringes.

Real Solutions for Real Travelers

You don’t have to panic. Here’s what works:

• Carry duplicates: Keep one set of prescriptions and doctor’s letters in your carry-on, another in your checked bag, and a digital copy emailed to yourself.
• Use a medication tracker app: Apps like Medisafe or MyTherapy let you store your meds, dosages, and prescriptions digitally.
• Know your generics: Brand names vary by country. Know the generic name of every drug you take. Adderall is amphetamine/dextroamphetamine. Xanax is alprazolam.
• Travel with extra: Bring 10-15% more than you think you’ll need. Delays happen.
• Use TSA Cares: If you’re flying from the U.S., call TSA Cares 72 hours ahead for help with screening medical items.

What’s Changing in 2026

Good news: Things are slowly getting better. The WHO introduced standardized international documentation templates in May 2025, set to roll out in 2026. This means doctors will soon be able to use a single form accepted across many countries.

The U.S. Affordable and Safe Prescription Drug Importation Act of 2025 also starts taking effect in May 2026. It allows U.S. travelers to legally import 90-day supplies from certified pharmacies in Canada, the UK, EU, and Switzerland. That’s a big step toward solving the cost and access problem.

Telemedicine for travelers is also growing. As of September 2025, 41 countries now allow doctors to issue prescriptions remotely to tourists. If you’re stuck abroad, you might be able to video-call a local clinic and get a new script without leaving your hotel.

Final Checklist Before You Fly

Before you leave:

1. Check your destination’s embassy website for medication rules.
2. Call the embassy if rules aren’t clear.
3. Get a doctor’s letter with ICD-11 codes and generic drug names.
4. Ensure all meds are in original containers with your name on the label.
5. Carry a digital and printed copy of your prescriptions.
6. For controlled substances, get a notarized translation if needed.
7. Bring 10-15% extra medication.
8. Know your generic names and why you need each drug.
9. Save IAMAT’s contact info for emergencies abroad.

It’s not glamorous. It’s not easy. But if you plan ahead, you won’t be one of the 68% of U.S. travelers who end up in a medical emergency abroad because they ran out of meds-and couldn’t get more.