Prescription Medication
A prescription medication requires a doctor’s order to dispense — rules on foreign prescriptions vary by country.
A prescription medication requires a doctor’s order to dispense — rules on foreign prescriptions vary by country.
Also known as
Rx medication, Prescription-only medicine, POM, Ethical drug
Why travellers need to know
Whether a foreign prescription is accepted depends entirely on the destination country. Spain, Portugal, and most of Southeast Asia accept foreign prescriptions informally. Germany, France, and the Netherlands generally do not. The US almost never accepts foreign prescriptions. For essential daily medications, the safest approach is to travel with more than enough supply, carry a doctor's letter listing all medications with INNs and dosages, and research your destination's rules before departure.
Real-world example
You run out of blood pressure medication (amlodipine) in Barcelona. You take your UK prescription to a Spanish pharmacy. The pharmacist examines it and dispenses a 1-month supply of the same medication under a different Spanish brand name, charging EUR 8. Not all countries accept foreign prescriptions this readily, but Spain does for most non-controlled medications.
Country-specific notes
🇪🇸 Spain
Foreign prescriptions often accepted informally
Spanish pharmacists frequently dispense common medications on foreign prescriptions, especially for obvious chronic conditions (blood pressure, thyroid, cholesterol). They use professional judgement. Controlled substances still require a Spanish prescription.
🇺🇸 United States
Foreign prescriptions not accepted
US pharmacies will not fill foreign prescriptions under any circumstances. You need a US-licensed physician to write a new prescription. Telemedicine services or walk-in clinics can often provide this for ongoing medications with documentation of your existing prescription.
Bring your original prescription label and a doctor's letter. A US telemedicine consultation ($50-75) can issue a new US prescription based on your existing documentation.
🇹🇭 Thailand
Most medications available without prescription
Thailand's pharmacies dispense most medications without a formal prescription, including antibiotics, blood pressure drugs, and many medications that require prescriptions in Western countries. You can often walk in, name the medication or show the packaging, and buy what you need.
Frequently asked questions
How do I get a prescription refilled abroad?
Three approaches: (1) bring enough supply from home for the entire trip, (2) carry a doctor's letter with INNs and dosages and try the local pharmacy, (3) see a local doctor for a new local prescription. Approach 1 is most reliable. Approach 2 works in informal pharmacy cultures (Spain, Thailand, India). Approach 3 is necessary in strict systems (US, Germany).
Should I carry a doctor’s letter for my prescriptions?
Yes, always. A letter on headed paper from your doctor listing all medications by INN, dosage, and reason for prescribing serves three purposes: it helps foreign pharmacists dispense the right medication, it explains controlled substances to customs officers, and it supports insurance claims if you need to buy medication abroad.
Your Nomedic record includes your full medication list with INNs, dosages, and prescribing reasons — the exact information a foreign pharmacy or doctor needs to help you.