How to Handle Prescription Transfers Between Countries: A Practical Guide for Travelers

Trying to refill your prescription while traveling abroad isn’t as simple as walking into a local pharmacy. Even if you have the exact same medication, the rules change depending on where you are. A prescription that works in New Zealand might be useless in Japan, and a pill you can buy over the counter in Mexico could be illegal in the U.S. If you’re flying overseas for weeks or months - whether for work, retirement, or just a long vacation - you need to plan ahead. There’s no universal system for transferring prescriptions between countries. What works in Europe won’t help you in Canada or China. Here’s how to actually get your meds when you’re far from home.

Understand the Rules Before You Leave

Every country has its own drug laws, and most don’t recognize foreign prescriptions. The European Union is the exception. If you’re traveling between EU countries like Germany, Spain, or Portugal, your prescription is legally valid in all 27 member states - in theory. In practice, you might run into problems if your medication has a different brand name or isn’t stocked locally. Always carry the generic name of your drug (like metformin, not Glucophage) and the dosage. Pharmacies in EU countries are required to accept prescriptions with this info, but they’re not required to have your exact brand on hand.

Outside the EU, things get messy. The U.S. FDA bans importing prescription drugs for personal use under federal law. But here’s the catch: they rarely enforce it if you’re bringing in a 90-day supply for yourself. U.S. Customs and Border Protection says you can carry your meds as long as they’re in their original bottles with your name on them and a doctor’s note. That’s your safety net. But if you try to mail them from abroad or order them online, you’re risking seizure or fines.

Canada is another gray zone. U.S. pharmacies won’t transfer your prescription directly to a Canadian pharmacy. Instead, you need what’s called a “cosigning” process: a Canadian doctor reviews your medical records and writes you a new Canadian prescription. This isn’t a transfer - it’s a restart. You’ll need your original prescription, your medical history, and sometimes a signed letter from your U.S. doctor explaining why you need the medication. It takes time. Don’t wait until you’re out of pills.

What You Need to Pack

Don’t rely on pharmacies abroad to have your meds. Bring enough for your entire trip - plus a 30-day buffer. If you’re going for six months, bring seven months’ worth. Pharmacies in places like China, the Middle East, or Southeast Asia may not carry your medication at all, even if it’s common elsewhere. Some countries classify common U.S. drugs as controlled substances. For example, Adderall is illegal in Japan. Tramadol is restricted in the UAE. Even melatonin is a prescription drug in Germany.

Pack your medications in your carry-on. Checked bags get lost. Keep them in original containers with clear labels. Bring a copy of your prescription and a letter from your doctor. The letter should include:

• Your full name and date of birth
• The name of each medication (generic and brand)
• The dosage and frequency
• The medical condition being treated
• Confirmation that the medication is for personal use during travel
• The doctor’s signature, license number, and contact info

Some countries - especially China, Saudi Arabia, and Russia - require this letter to be notarized or even translated into the local language. Check your destination’s embassy website before you leave. Don’t assume English is enough.

How to Get a New Prescription Abroad

If you run out or lose your meds, you can’t just walk into a clinic and get a refill. Most countries require you to see a local doctor first. In the UK, Australia, or Canada, you can visit a walk-in clinic and explain your situation. Bring your original prescription and doctor’s letter. They’ll likely write you a new prescription based on your history.

In countries with stricter rules - like Thailand, India, or Brazil - you may need to see a specialist or get a formal diagnosis from a local physician. Some clinics will refuse to write a prescription unless they’ve examined you in person. That means scheduling an appointment, possibly paying out-of-pocket, and waiting days or weeks.

Pro tip: Look for international medical clinics in major cities. These are often staffed by English-speaking doctors familiar with foreign prescriptions. They’re more expensive than local clinics, but they save time and stress. In Tokyo, for example, the Tokyo International Clinic handles U.S. and European prescriptions regularly. In Mexico City, Clinica Medica Internacional does the same.

Why U.S. Pharmacies Won’t Transfer Prescriptions Overseas

You might think your U.S. pharmacy can just email your prescription to a pharmacy in France or Australia. They can’t. The DEA’s 2023 rule allowing electronic prescription transfers only applies within the U.S. - between two U.S. pharmacies. It doesn’t extend to other countries. Why? Because U.S. pharmacists aren’t licensed to dispense drugs under foreign regulations. They don’t know if the foreign pharmacy follows safety standards. They also can’t verify if the drug is legal in that country.

Most U.S. pharmacy chains - CVS, Walgreens, Rite Aid - have policies that explicitly forbid international transfers. Even if you call 10 times, you’ll get the same answer: “We’re not allowed.” Some independent pharmacies might bend the rules, but they risk losing their license. Don’t pressure them. Instead, focus on solutions that work within the system.

What to Do If You’re in a Country With No Access

If you’re stuck in a place like Vietnam, Egypt, or Indonesia and your meds aren’t available, here’s what works:

1. Call your U.S. doctor. Ask them to fax or email a copy of your prescription to a pharmacy in your destination country. Some international pharmacies accept this.
2. Use a service like PharmacyChecker. They partner with verified international pharmacies that can fill U.S. prescriptions with a cosigning doctor. It’s not cheap - expect $50-$150 per order - but it’s faster than flying home.
3. Contact your country’s embassy. They often have lists of local doctors and pharmacies that serve expats. In emergencies, they may help you contact a medical evacuation service.
4. Check if your insurance covers telehealth. Some plans let you video-call a doctor abroad who can write a local prescription.

Controlled Substances Are a Different Ballgame

If you’re on opioids, benzodiazepines, ADHD meds, or sleep aids, your situation is much harder. These are tightly controlled everywhere. The DEA doesn’t allow international transfers of any controlled substances. Even if you have a valid prescription, many countries classify them as illegal narcotics.

For example:

• Ambien (zolpidem) is illegal in Japan and Singapore.
• Valium (diazepam) requires special permits in Australia and the UK.
• Adderall (amphetamine) is banned in most Asian countries.

If you need these meds, you must plan months ahead. Contact the embassy of your destination country. Ask for their rules on bringing controlled substances. Some allow entry with a doctor’s letter and a copy of your prescription. Others require a special import permit - which you must apply for before you leave.

Never try to smuggle these drugs. Getting caught can mean jail time, even for a single pill.

Real Stories: What Actually Works

One traveler from New Zealand flew to Germany for a six-month work assignment. She brought six months’ worth of her antidepressant, plus a doctor’s letter. When she ran out, she visited a local clinic in Berlin. The doctor reviewed her records, wrote a new prescription, and she filled it at a pharmacy down the street. No issues.

A retiree from Florida moved to Costa Rica. He couldn’t get his blood pressure med (lisinopril) locally. He used PharmacyChecker to order it from a Canadian pharmacy that shipped to Costa Rica. He paid $18 for a 90-day supply - half the U.S. price. He’s been doing this for three years.

A nurse from Texas traveled to Thailand for three months. Her anxiety medication (clonazepam) wasn’t available. She contacted the U.S. Embassy in Bangkok. They gave her a list of English-speaking psychiatrists. She saw one, got a local prescription, and filled it for $12. She carried her original U.S. prescription as backup.

What Doesn’t Work

Don’t rely on these myths:

• “I can just buy it online.” Unregulated online pharmacies sell fake or contaminated drugs. The FDA shuts down hundreds every year.
• “My friend in Mexico sells the same pill.” Even if it looks identical, the dosage or ingredients may be wrong. You could overdose.
• “The pharmacist will understand.” Pharmacists abroad aren’t trained in U.S. systems. They follow local laws - not your doctor’s orders.
• “I’ll just bring extra.” You can’t bring more than a 90-day supply into most countries without a permit. Customs agents will confiscate it.

Final Checklist Before You Fly

Use this to make sure you’re ready:

• Bring at least 30 days more than your trip length
• Keep all meds in original containers
• Carry a printed copy of your prescription
• Get a signed doctor’s letter with diagnosis and travel purpose
• Check your destination’s drug laws on their embassy website
• Know the generic names of your drugs
• Save contact info for your doctor and local embassy
• Have a backup plan: pharmacy locator, telehealth service, or cosigning provider

If you’re traveling to the EU, you’re in the easiest zone. Everywhere else? You’re on your own. But with the right prep, you won’t go without your meds. The key isn’t hoping a pharmacy will transfer your script. It’s bringing enough, knowing the rules, and having a plan B.