Medication and treatment while you're away
This page explains what you need to know about taking your Parkinson's medication away and treatment abroad.
Travelling with medication
Always carry your medication in the original, labelled packaging and keep it in your hand luggage. Bring a medical certificate or letter from your specialist or Parkinson’s nurse explaining what the medication is for. This can help if you’re questioned at airport security or customs.
While on holiday, keep some medication in your day bag and some safely at your accommodation.
It’s also helpful to carry a written list of your medications and doses. This can be useful if you need medical care while abroad.
Some medications are sensitive to heat or sunlight. Check with your GP, specialist, or Parkinson's nurse if your medication needs special storage, such as a cool bag or an insulated case.
Checking rules and restrictions
Before travelling, ask your doctor or pharmacist whether your medicine contains a controlled drug. If it does, check the rules for the country you’re visiting with the embassy or High Commission before you travel. You may need to show that the medicine is yours, using a prescription or a letter from your doctor.
It may also help to find out whether your medication is available locally and what it’s called in that country. This can be useful if you lose or run out of your medication.
Extra supply
Ask your GP for an extra prescription to cover more than the length of your trip. For example, if your holiday is 2 weeks, take enough medication for at least 4 weeks. This protects you if travel plans are disrupted.
Deep brain stimulation (DBS)
If you have an implanted pulse generator for DBS, speak to your specialist or Parkinson’s nurse before travelling.
You can travel by plane, but it’s important to tell airport security that you have a DBS device and carry a card that explains this. Some airport scanners can affect electronic devices. Keep your handheld programmer with you in case your stimulator is switched off by mistake.
If your unit is rechargeable, make sure it’s fully charged and working well before you travel. Bring your charger for trips longer than a few days.
Adjusting your medication routine
When you travel abroad, you may need to change when you take your medication, especially if you cross time zones. You might need to take it at different times of day, but try to keep the same gaps between doses. Your doctor may suggest temporary changes to help keep your symptoms under control.
If you use rotigotine skin patches, avoid exposing the area of skin and patch to heat. In hot climates, place the patch on your abdomen (tummy) or thigh to keep it covered by clothing.
Everyone’s medication routine is different, so it’s very important to speak to your GP, specialist, or Parkinson’s nurse before travelling. They can help you plan the best way to take your medication while travelling and once you arrive.
Medical treatment abroad
UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC)
The UK GHIC lets you get medically necessary state healthcare in the European Economic Area (EEA) and some other countries. You will be able to use the same state healthcare system as local residents. This means care may be free, or you’ll pay the same charges as local people.
The UK GHIC or EHIC does not replace travel insurance. It does not cover costs such as being flown back to the UK or private medical treatment.
The UK GHIC has replaced the UK European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). If you still have a UK EHIC, it’s valid until its expiry date. Once expired, you’ll need a UK GHIC.
A UK GHIC is free and lasts for up to 5 years.
Apply for a UK GHIC on the NHS website.
Getting medical treatment outside Europe
In a few non-European countries, such as Australia, the UK GHIC may cover emergency or necessary state healthcare. These agreements are limited, and the rules differ by country.
In most countries outside Europe, there is no agreement with the UK. This means you usually have to pay for all medical treatment yourself.
If you need medical treatment abroad, you may need to show:
- your British passport
- proof of UK residence, for example a driving licence.
Because coverage outside Europe is limited, travel insurance is essential. It should cover emergency treatment, hospital stays, and being flown back to the UK if needed.
What to do in an emergency
If you need urgent medical help abroad, call the local emergency number. Check the emergency number for your destination before you travel. In most European countries, it is 112.
If you have travel insurance, contact your insurance company’s 24/7 emergency helpline as soon as possible. They can:
- advise you where to go for treatment
- speak to the hospital if needed
- help arrange payment or medical transport.
You or someone travelling with you should tell medical staff that you have Parkinson’s. Show your medication list and the doses you take. If travelling alone, keep this information somewhere easy to find, such as in your purse or wallet.
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