Medicines available in other countries sometimes differ from those available in Australia. It’s important to consider this when travelling, buying medicines from overseas, or sending medicines overseas.

Taking medicines overseas for your own use

If you’re intending to travel overseas, it’s important that you organise your medicines beforehand, so you have enough to last the trip. If you don’t, you may have difficulty obtaining the right medicines, because brand names and the availability of medicines differ from country to country. You may also have to pay more for them.

For prescription medicines, you can normally buy only one prescription at a time; for example, one month’s supply. However, if you’re going overseas for an extended period, you can usually arrange with your doctor and pharmacist to obtain a larger amount. The additional amount you can buy depends on the medicine. If possible, try to take enough to last your stay plus a little extra in case your return is delayed.

Taking medicines bought under the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) out of Australia is illegal unless they’re for your own personal use or the personal use of someone you’re travelling with, such as a spouse. This is because most PBS medicines are subsidised by the Australian Government under Medicare.

Australian Customs can confiscate any PBS medicines they suspect are not for personal use. Overseas customs officers may also be suspicious if you’re carrying large amounts of medicines.

A few medicines used legally in Australia may be illegal in some overseas countries. It may be advisable to contact the embassy of the country you’re visiting to make sure your medicines are legal in that country.

Minimise problems by leaving all your medicines in their original packaging and carrying a letter from your doctor. The letter should state:

• the prescription and non-prescription medicines you’re taking
• how much of each medicine you’re taking
• that the medicines are for your personal use only.
  

If possible, carry your medicines in your hand luggage. That way you won’t be without them if your checked baggage gets lost.

Taking or sending medicines overseas for others

Although it may seem helpful to send or take medicines overseas for relatives and friends, in many cases it is not. It may also be illegal.

Often several different medicines can be used to treat a particular condition, and the medicine chosen depends on many things, including the other medicines the person is taking and the other conditions they may have. Even if your friend or relative has the same condition as you, giving them some of your medicine is unwise. It may not work for them, and it could even make them worse.

Many medicine names are similar, but brand names often vary from country to country. Also, a medicine with the same brand name may contain a different strength of the active ingredient, or even a different active ingredient. So, even if you have the name of the medicine your friend or relative needs, you could be giving them the wrong medicine.

Sending or taking PBS medicines overseas for the use of relatives or friends is illegal. If you want to discuss sending or taking medicines overseas, contact the Australian Customs and Border Protection Service.

Buying medicines from overseas or when overseas

In some situations, it may be tempting to buy medicines from overseas via the internet or via a friend or relative who lives there. This may be because you have used a medicine overseas and found that it works, you may not be able to buy the medicine in Australia, or the medicine may be cheaper overseas.

Whatever the reason, buying medicines from overseas can be risky, because you can’t always be sure what you’re buying. Medicine brand names, active ingredients, strengths of active ingredients, and packaging differ from country to country, so you may not be buying the medicine you want. In some countries, the lack of controls over the way medicines are made and sold means that the medicine may contain ingredients that are of a different quality to those in medicines sold in Australia. It can also be very hard to distinguish between reputable and fraudulent outlets, particularly when buying over the internet.

Buying medicines from overseas can be risky,

because you can’t always be sure what you’re buying.

Sometimes, buying medicines overseas is unavoidable; for example, if you get sick while overseas. If you have to buy a medicine while overseas, make sure you check the name of the active ingredient, get advice, and buy only from a reputable doctor or pharmacy. It may also be worthwhile to have a copy of your Australian prescription with you, so the doctor or pharmacist can refer to it if necessary.

If you’re taking a medicine that you’ve obtained overseas, don’t forget to tell your doctor about it when you return. Also, tell them about any other changes that have been made to your medicine regimen while you were away.

Further information

If you have any questions, talk to your doctor or pharmacist, or ring the Travelling with PBS medicine enquiry line on 1800 500 147.