Drugs issued by prescription, and even some bought over the counter in the UK, are banned abroad
Neil Shaw Assistant Editor
13:18, 28 Jul 2026
Pills going into a suitcase
With summer holiday season in full swing, people are being warned that common prescriptions and over-the-counter medicines could result in confiscation, hefty fines, or even arrest at customs in some countries. Some everyday UK medicines, including painkillers, sleeping tablets and even some cold and flu remedies, are restricted in popular destinations.
Travellers need to understand the restrictions and regulations before setting off on holiday, according to a pharmacist at Chemist4U.
Medicines to be careful with whilst travelling
Codeine, and any painkiller containing it (e.g. co-codamol): a controlled substance in many countries. In the UAE, it’s led to confiscation, detention and in some cases, prosecution under narcotics law. Many travellers are unaware that medicines available over the counter in the UK can be treated as controlled drugs overseas.Diazepam and other benzodiazepines: used for anxiety and sleep, are restricted in several destinations. In Singapore, bringing these in without a Controlled Drugs Permit from the Health Sciences Authority is treated as a drug-import offence, and can carry fines or imprisonment, even with a valid UK prescription.Pregabalin and gabapentin: used for nerve pain and are controlled in the UAE. Without a prescription and a doctor’s letter, they can be confiscated and, in serious cases, lead to arrest.ADHD medicines: several countries, including Japan, ban amphetamine-based ones outright, even with a valid foreign prescription. Travellers have been arrested and deported at customs for carrying them.Strong opioid painkillers (e.g. morphine, oxycodone): Many countries treat these as controlled drugs; without the right documentation, they can be seized, and in some cases, lead to detention or prosecution.Cold and flu remedies containing pseudoephedrine: some, including certain Sudafed products, are restricted or banned in a handful of countries. Banned outright in Japan, where it’s treated as a precursor to methamphetamine. Even medicines purchased legally in the UK can create problems if local rules aren’t followed.
Ian Budd, Lead Prescribing Pharmacist at Chemist4U, said: “Most people don’t think twice about packing their regular medicines for a holiday, because they assume that if something is legal in the UK, it will be legal everywhere else. Unfortunately, that’s not always the case.
“Every year, travellers are caught out by medication restrictions they didn’t know existed. In some countries, medicines we consider completely routine in the UK can be treated as controlled substances, even when they have been legitimately prescribed by a doctor. This isn’t about putting anyone off travelling with the medicines they need; it’s about knowing what extra steps to take so a routine prescription doesn’t turn into a stressful situation at the border.
“My advice is to check the rules for your destination as soon as you book your trip, rather than the night before you travel. That gives you enough time to speak to your GP or pharmacist, get any paperwork sorted, and travel with confidence.”