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 same medication in another country, the rules for getting it vary wildly - and many pharmacists won’t even know how to help. If you’re flying to Canada, living in Europe, or heading to the Middle East with chronic medication, you need more than a pill bottle and a doctor’s note. You need a plan.

Why You Can’t Just Walk In and Ask for a Transfer

Most people assume pharmacies can just email or fax a prescription from one country to another. That’s not how it works. In the U.S., the DEA only allows electronic transfers between pharmacies within the country, and even then, only one-time transfers for controlled substances. International transfers? Not allowed. Canada won’t accept a U.S. prescription as-is. The EU accepts prescriptions from other EU countries - but only if they’re written correctly. China and Saudi Arabia require medical letters signed by your doctor, not just a prescription slip.

There’s no global system. No universal form. No shared database. Each country has its own laws, and most are designed to prevent drug abuse - not to help travelers. That means if you’re taking insulin, blood pressure pills, or anxiety medication, you’re on your own to figure out how to keep your treatment going.

What Works: The EU’s Cross-Border System

If you’re traveling within the European Union, you’re in the best position. Under EU law, a prescription written in Germany is valid in Italy, Spain, or Poland - in theory. But here’s the catch: the medication might not be available under the same brand name. Your U.S. doctor prescribed Lipitor? In France, it’s Atorvastatin. In the UK, it’s Atorvastatin Teva. The active ingredient is the same, but pharmacists won’t automatically swap brands unless you tell them.

For this to work, your prescription must include:

• The generic (common) drug name, not the brand
• The exact strength and dosage
• The quantity prescribed
• The prescriber’s signature and contact info

Many EU doctors still write prescriptions with brand names. If yours does, ask your doctor to rewrite it with the generic name before you leave. Also, carry a printed copy in English and the local language if possible. Pharmacies in tourist-heavy areas usually know how to handle this - but rural ones might not. Always call ahead.

Canada: The Cosigning Hurdle

Transferring a prescription from the U.S. to Canada is one of the most frustrating experiences for travelers. U.S. pharmacies cannot send prescriptions directly to Canadian ones. It’s against Canadian law. Instead, you need what’s called a cosigning process.

Here’s how it works:

1. Get a copy of your original U.S. prescription - including the doctor’s signature and contact info.
2. Fill out a health history form provided by a Canadian pharmacy (like PharmacyChecker or a local pharmacy that accepts U.S. prescriptions).
3. The Canadian pharmacist sends your file to a Canadian doctor.
4. The doctor reviews your history and writes a new Canadian prescription.
5. You pick it up - usually within 24-48 hours.

This isn’t a transfer. It’s a new prescription. You’ll pay the Canadian pharmacy fee (often $30-$60) and possibly a doctor consultation fee. Some U.S. pharmacies refuse to even give you the prescription copy, claiming it’s “against policy.” If that happens, call your doctor’s office and ask them to fax or email a copy directly to you. Print it. Bring it with you.

Pro tip: Don’t wait until you run out of pills. Start this process at least two weeks before your trip. One Reddit user flew back to Canada twice because her U.S. pharmacy wouldn’t release her prescription copy - and she ran out in Toronto.

Non-EU Countries: China, the Middle East, and Beyond

If you’re heading to countries like China, Japan, Saudi Arabia, or the UAE, the rules get stricter. Many require a letter of medical necessity from your doctor - not just a prescription.

This letter must include:

• Your full name and date of birth
• Diagnosis (e.g., “Type 2 Diabetes,” “Hypertension”)
• Medication name (generic and brand), strength, and dosage
• Reason for travel and need for ongoing treatment
• Doctor’s signature, license number, and contact info
• Official letterhead and date

Some countries also require the letter to be translated into the local language and notarized. China’s customs officials have been known to confiscate medications without this. In Saudi Arabia, even over-the-counter drugs like ibuprofen can be restricted if you don’t have documentation.

MedAire’s 2022 report found that 43% of travelers to the Middle East and Asia ran into medication issues - mostly because they didn’t bring the right paperwork. Don’t be one of them.

What the FDA and Customs Really Allow

U.S. federal law says you can’t import prescription drugs from other countries. But here’s the reality: the FDA doesn’t stop every traveler carrying a 90-day supply for personal use. They’re not hunting down tourists with insulin.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection says:

“Travelers may bring in a 90-day supply of medication for personal use if it’s prescribed by a licensed physician and legally obtained in the United States.”

That means:

• Bring your original prescription bottle - with your name and the pharmacy label.
• Don’t carry more than a 90-day supply.
• Don’t try to mail pills from abroad - that’s a red flag.
• Don’t try to buy prescription drugs overseas to bring back to the U.S. - that’s illegal.

Foreign nationals can bring in a 90-day supply even if they bought it abroad. U.S. citizens? Stick to the rule: bring your own meds from home, or get a new prescription locally.

What to Pack Before You Go

Here’s your checklist - no exceptions:

• Original prescription bottles with pharmacy labels
• Printed copies of all prescriptions (generic names only)
• Doctor’s signed letter of medical necessity (for non-EU countries)
• Copy of your medical history (especially for chronic conditions)
• Emergency contact info for your doctor and pharmacy
• Names of medications in local languages (use Google Translate or ask your pharmacist)
• Extra pills - at least 10-14 days beyond your planned trip

Never pack meds in checked luggage. Always carry them in your carry-on. Airlines and customs will ask to see them. If your medication is a controlled substance (like Adderall, Xanax, or oxycodone), bring extra documentation - even in the EU. Some countries treat these like illegal drugs.

What Doesn’t Work (And Why)

Avoid these common mistakes:

• Asking your U.S. pharmacy to email your prescription to a foreign one - they can’t. It’s not allowed.
• Using online pharmacies outside the U.S. to ship pills - it’s illegal and risky. Many are scams.
• Assuming your insurance covers foreign pharmacies - it doesn’t.
• Waiting until you run out of pills to figure this out - you’ll be stuck.
• Carrying pills in unlabeled containers - customs will seize them.

One woman tried to refill her antidepressant in Thailand using a U.S. prescription. The pharmacy refused. She didn’t have a doctor’s letter. She spent three days in a Bangkok hospital waiting for her family to mail her pills from home.

When to Call a Specialist

If you’re taking multiple medications, controlled substances, or heading to a high-risk country, consider using a travel health service like MedAire or PharmacyChecker. They’ll review your meds, help you draft letters, and connect you with local pharmacies that know the rules.

These services cost $100-$150 - but they save you from being stranded without your medication. For frequent travelers, expats, or retirees abroad, it’s worth it.

Final Rule: Plan Early, Carry Proof, Never Guess

There’s no magic fix for international prescription transfers. The system is broken. But you can still get your meds - if you’re prepared.

Start at least 30 days before you leave. Contact your doctor. Call your pharmacy. Research the destination country’s rules. Print everything. Pack extra. Don’t rely on luck. The world doesn’t have a unified pharmacy system - but you can still navigate it.

Your health isn’t something you can afford to gamble with. Do the work now - so you don’t end up in a foreign ER because you didn’t bring a letter.