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Diabetes in the UK: NHS Access, Insulin Brands and Import Rules

Q: What are the emergency numbers in the UK?

999 Ambulance / Police / Fire 112 Pan-European emergency 111 (available 24 hours; staffed by clinicians who can advise on whether to go to A&E) NHS non-emergency helpline

The NHS offers limited access to international travellers. Know the prescription rules, local insulin brands, and cold-chain steps before you fly.

Managing diabetes in the UK: what changes when you travel

The NHS provides free care to UK residents but offers only limited access to international travellers, mainly through emergency treatment. Private GP and specialist consultations are widely available but carry significant out-of-pocket costs. Insulin and most oral diabetes medications are prescription-only under MHRA regulations.^[2]

This guide covers medication import rules, local brand names, cold-chain planning, NHS access for non-residents, finding a diabetes specialist, and emergency communication. It also explains how your International Patient Summary can speed up care if you need it.

Medical disclaimer: This guide is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult your specialist before travelling, particularly regarding changes to your treatment schedule and travel insurance.

Key risks

Key risks for diabetes travellers in the UK

Limited NHS access for non-residents

Non-residents are not entitled to free NHS prescriptions or routine outpatient care. Emergency treatment is provided regardless of status, but any planned diabetes consultation requires a private appointment or a reciprocal agreement.

Brand name differences causing dispensing confusion

Several insulin and GLP-1 analogue brands sold in other countries are marketed under different names in the UK. Carry the INN (International Nonproprietary Name) alongside any brand name to avoid dispensing errors at a UK pharmacy.^[2]

Cold-chain disruption during travel

Insulin and GLP-1 injectables require refrigerated storage at 2-8°C before opening. An unrefrigerated pen can degrade within hours if left in a bag or car.^[5]^[6]

GLP-1 supply constraints

Semaglutide (Ozempic, Wegovy) and tirzepatide (Mounjaro) have faced intermittent supply shortages in the UK. Bring your full supply from home and do not rely on sourcing locally.

Hypoglycaemia risk from activity and meal timing shifts

Sightseeing, changed meal times, and time-zone crossings can shift medication timing unexpectedly. Carry fast-acting glucose and confirm your sick-day rules with your home specialist before departure.^[4]

Preparation checklist

Book a pre-travel appointment with your endocrinologist — Confirm medication supply, sick-day rules, and any timing adjustments for the UK time zone.
Request a specialist letter in English — Ask your home endocrinologist to write a letter on headed paper stating your diagnosis, medications (INN and brand), doses, devices, and medical necessity.
Obtain prescriptions with INN names — UK pharmacists recognise INN names; brand-only prescriptions from other countries may cause delays.
Check your CGM or pump device compatibility — Confirm your device uses voltages compatible with UK outlets (230V, Type G plug) and pack appropriate adaptors.
Confirm EHIC or GHIC coverage if applicable — EU/EEA travellers should verify their card is current before departure; coverage is for necessary NHS treatment only.
Store your International Patient Summary on Nomedic — Your IPS gives UK clinicians instant access to your diagnosis, medications, and allergies; accessible offline and via QR code.
Bring your full supply of insulin, GLP-1 agents, and oral medications — Do not rely on local sourcing; GLP-1 analogues face documented UK supply constraints.
Pack a travel cooler or insulin wallet — Maintain 2-8°C for unopened insulin and GLP-1 pens during transit and in accommodation without reliable refrigeration.
Save UK emergency numbers offline — Ambulance, police, and fire: 999; general emergencies: 112. Store in Nomedic alongside your IPS.
Carry fast-acting glucose at all times — Glucose tablets or gels should be in your carry-on bag and accessible throughout each day.

Documents to carry

Documents to carry when travelling to the UK with diabetes

Keep all documents accessible on your phone and in a physical backup; the Nomedic app consolidates your clinical record, prescriptions, and emergency contacts in one offline-accessible place.

Your International Patient Summary (IPS)

Your Nomedic IPS contains your diagnosis, current medications with INNs, allergies, and device details in a format readable by any UK clinician. It generates a QR code that can be scanned at a GP surgery, urgent treatment centre, or A&E without requiring a verbal explanation in English.

Full document checklist

Keep the following accessible on your phone and ready to share. Your Nomedic IPS covers items 1 and 6 automatically.

·
Your Nomedic IPS Covers your diabetes diagnosis, medications (INN and brand), allergies, devices, and functional status. Offline and QR-accessible.
·
Specialist letter from your endocrinologist Must state diagnosis, current medications with INN names and doses, device type (pump or CGM if applicable), and medical necessity for carrying needles or sharps.^[3]
·
Original prescriptions with INN names UK pharmacists can dispense against a foreign prescription at their discretion, but INN names are required for any substitution or emergency supply request.^[2]
·
EHIC or GHIC card (if applicable) EU/EEA nationals with a valid EHIC are entitled to necessary NHS treatment at the same cost as UK residents; verify expiry before departure.^[1]
·
Travel insurance schedule Policy number and insurer's 24-hour line saved in your Nomedic profile.
·
UK emergency numbers Ambulance, police, and fire: 999. Pan-European emergency: 112. Saved offline in Nomedic.

Medications advice

Bringing your diabetes medications to the UK^[2]

Diabetes medications are not controlled substances under UK law; no import permit is required for personal supplies of insulin, metformin, sitagliptin, empagliflozin, or semaglutide^[2]. Carry a quantity sufficient for your trip plus a reasonable emergency reserve, together with your specialist letter and original prescription. UK Border Force may ask to see documentation for needles and sharps, so keep your specialist letter accessible in your hand luggage.

Do not post your medication to the UK.

Posting prescription medication to the UK without a licence is prohibited under the Human Medicines Regulations 2012. Always carry your full supply in person in your hand luggage.

Diabetes medications: brand names, INNs, and UK availability

The table below lists common diabetes medications with their UK brand names as approved by the MHRA; always confirm current availability with a UK pharmacist, as supply can change.

INN (Generic Name)Brand Name(s)

insulin lispro

Humalog, Admelog

Store unopened pens at 2-8°C; opened pens can be kept below 30°C for up to 28 days.

insulin aspart

NovoRapid, Fiasp

Store unopened at 2-8°C; opened pen usable at room temperature below 30°C for up to 28 days.

insulin glargine

Lantus, Toujeo, Abasaglar

Store unopened at 2-8°C; in-use pen can be kept below 30°C for up to 28 days (Lantus) or 42 days (Toujeo).

insulin degludec

Tresiba

In-use pen can be stored below 30°C for up to 56 days.

metformin

Glucophage, generics

semaglutide

Ozempic, Wegovy, Rybelsus

UK supply has been constrained; bring your full supply. Store pens at 2-8°C before first use.

empagliflozin

Jardiance

sitagliptin

Januvia

gliclazide

Diamicron, generics

tirzepatide

Mounjaro

Store at 2-8°C; in-use pen usable below 30°C for up to 21 days. UK supply constrained; bring your full supply.

SGLT2 inhibitors and illness: Euglycaemic DKA risk

Empagliflozin, dapagliflozin, and canagliflozin carry a documented risk of euglycaemic diabetic ketoacidosis during acute illness, surgery, or prolonged fasting. If you become unwell or are admitted to hospital, inform UK clinicians immediately that you take an SGLT2 inhibitor, as blood glucose may appear normal while DKA is developing.

Travelling with injectable therapies

If you use insulin pens, GLP-1 injectables, or an insulin pump, these steps apply regardless of your destination within the UK.

1. Carry in hand luggage only. Insulin and GLP-1 pens must stay in the cabin to avoid freezing in the hold. UK airport security (operated by individual airport authorities under Department for Transport guidelines) permits medically necessary liquids above 100 ml in carry-on when accompanied by a prescription or specialist letter.

2. Declare at security. Inform security staff that you are carrying insulin, pens, and needles before the bag scan; present your specialist letter if asked.

3. Maintain the cold chain. According to EMA-approved SmPC data, unopened insulin pens must be stored at 2-8°C^[5]; an insulin travel wallet (e.g. Frio) keeps pens within safe temperature range without requiring ice.

4. Book direct flights where possible. Long connections increase the time insulin spends outside refrigeration; each additional transfer raises the cumulative temperature-excursion risk.

For more information on keeping cold-chain medication safe, read our dedicated guides for flying with insulin and flying with GLP-1 medications.

Your medication list, ready to share.

Nomedic stores your medication name, INN, dosage, and frequency, readable by any clinician worldwide.

Go to my record

At your destination

Healthcare and prescriptions in the UK

The NHS is funded by UK taxpayers and is not available free of charge to visitors without a reciprocal entitlement. EU/EEA travellers holding a valid EHIC or GHIC are entitled to medically necessary treatment at NHS cost, including emergency diabetes care and prescriptions charged at the standard NHS prescription charge of £9.90 per item (~$13.50 / ~€11.60).

All other international travellers must use private care for non-emergency appointments; a private GP consultation costs £80-£150 (~$109-$204 / ~€93-€175) and a private endocrinology appointment typically costs £200-£400 (~$273-$545 / ~€234-€468).

UK pharmacists (registered with the General Pharmaceutical Council) can dispense against a foreign prescription at their professional discretion, but are not legally required to do so and many will decline without a UK-issued prescription. All insulin formulations and GLP-1 injectables are prescription-only under the Human Medicines Regulations 2012^[2].

Metformin and oral diabetes agents are also prescription-only. For emergency supply, a UK pharmacist may provide a short emergency supply of a repeat medication without a prescription, at their discretion.

Insulin is dispensed via retail pharmacies, not hospital pharmacies

Unlike biologics or DMTs, insulin and oral diabetes agents are dispensed through high-street pharmacies (Boots, LloydsPharmacy, independent chemists) rather than hospital pharmacies. For emergency supply, present your IPS and specialist letter at any pharmacy and ask the pharmacist to advise on the quickest route to a UK prescription.

Finding a diabetes specialist

Diabetes is managed by endocrinologists (or 'diabetologists') in NHS Diabetes and Endocrinology departments, located in all major NHS teaching hospitals. Private endocrinology appointments are available at private hospitals such as the Nuffield Health network, Bupa Cromwell Hospital, and HCA Healthcare facilities. See our United Kingdom healthcare guide for more options.

Walk-in appointments are not available; book in advance. Use Nomedic's provider search to find a diabetes specialist near your destination and save the address offline before you travel.

Search for providers near your destination

Use Nomedic's provider search to find diabetes specialists in the UK. Save the address and phone number offline before you travel.

Find a specialist

If your cold chain breaks in the UK

Most insulin formulations remain usable at room temperature (below 25-30°C) for 28 to 56 days after first use, depending on the specific product; consult your product's SmPC or package leaflet for the exact tolerance window^[5]. An in-use pen that has been left unrefrigerated overnight is not automatically wasted; check the product leaflet before discarding.

1. Immediate local action. Ask your hotel to store your spare pens in a guest refrigerator (fridge, not freezer). Most UK hotel receptions and larger pharmacies (Boots, LloydsPharmacy) can advise on temporary cold storage.

2. Contact your home specialist. Confirm whether your specific pen or vial is still within the safe post-opening window before continuing to use it.

3. Local replacement if needed. Take your IPS, specialist letter, and original prescription to any high-street pharmacy and request an emergency supply; the pharmacist has discretion to dispense one. If they cannot help, ask for the nearest NHS urgent treatment centre or walk-in centre, which can issue a UK prescription.

Managing activity, diet, and weather day to day in the UK

UK summer temperatures average 18-25°C in London but can reach 32-38°C during heat waves, which the Met Office records as increasingly common in southern England^[6]. High walking volumes during city sightseeing (often 15,000+ steps per day) can lower blood glucose faster than at home.

Carry fast-acting glucose (tablets, gel, or a sugary drink) at all times. UK supermarkets (Tesco, Sainsbury's, Waitrose, M&S) and convenience stores stock glucose tablets and Lucozade, which is a recognised fast-acting glucose source in UK diabetes guidance.

Meals in the UK typically follow a three-meal pattern with set morning, midday, and evening times; if you are crossing a time zone, confirm medication timing adjustments with your home specialist before travel. During a heat wave, store your insulin wallet out of direct sunlight and avoid leaving medication in a parked car.

Hypoglycaemia after increased activity is not a medication failure

Greater-than-usual walking and sightseeing can lower blood glucose significantly, particularly in the afternoon. If you experience symptoms consistent with hypoglycaemia, treat with fast-acting glucose immediately. If symptoms persist beyond 15 minutes after treatment, follow the guidance in the Emergency tab.

English phrases for clinicians

Show your Nomedic IPS first, it removes the need to explain your diagnosis verbally. If verbal communication is needed:

“”

I have diabetes.

“”

I am having a hypoglycaemic episode. I need sugar or glucose immediately.

“”

I need to see a diabetologist or endocrinologist.

“”

I take insulin. Please do not give me food or fluids without checking my blood glucose first.

“”

Where is the nearest pharmacy or urgent treatment centre?

“”

I need an emergency supply of insulin. My prescription is from overseas.

Insurance considerations

What to know about travel insurance

Standard policies often exclude pre-existing diabetes

Many standard travel policies exclude diabetes-related claims unless the condition is explicitly declared and accepted at underwriting. Private emergency diabetes care in the UK, including specialist consultations and hospital admission, can cost £500-£3,000 (~$682-$4,090 / ~€585-€3,507) per episode without insurance cover.

What to look for in a policy

Diabetes explicitly named as covered

Not just 'pre-existing conditions covered'. Your condition should be named on the schedule.

Emergency medical evacuation

Covers repatriation to your home country if local care is insufficient.

Replacement medication cover

Covers emergency replacement if your insulin or other medication is lost, damaged, or delayed.

24-hour assistance line with translator access

So someone can communicate with UK clinicians on your behalf.

What to declare at application

Declare thoroughly. Incomplete disclosure can invalidate your entire policy, not just the diabetes-related claim.

Diabetes type and management method

State whether you use insulin, oral agents, GLP-1 injectables, or a combination, and whether you use a CGM or insulin pump.

Current medication and dose

Use the INN alongside the brand name.

Last HbA1c result and date

Insurers assess control level; a recent result can influence premium and exclusions.

Associated conditions

Declare hypertension, nephropathy, neuropathy, retinopathy, or cardiovascular disease if present.

Store your insurance details in Nomedic.

Your policy number and emergency assistance line, saved alongside your IPS and accessible offline.

Go to profile.

EU and EEA travellers

EU/EEA travellers holding a valid European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) are entitled to medically necessary NHS treatment on the same terms as UK residents, including emergency diabetes care. However, EHIC does not cover repatriation, private consultations, lost medication, or planned treatment. Comprehensive travel insurance remains essential.

Emergency protocol

Getting to an NHS A&E department

Call 999 for an ambulance or go directly to the nearest NHS Accident and Emergency (A&E) department. Contact your travel insurer's emergency line before or immediately after calling 999; many policies require pre-authorisation for inpatient admission.

When you arrive, follow in order

Show your Nomedic IPS immediately.

Full clinical picture in seconds, no verbal explanation needed.

Say this phrase.

Hand your phone to the triage nurse:

I have diabetes. I may be having a diabetic emergency. Please check my blood glucose immediately.

Disclose all current medications.

Specifically mention SGLT2 inhibitors if you take one, as DKA can present with normal blood glucose in this class.

Hand over your specialist letter.

It confirms your diagnosis, current regimen, and any relevant device or pump settings.

Calls and location

Call 999 for ambulance, police, or fire. Pan-European emergency: 112. Tell the operator your location, including the nearest street name or landmark; NHS ambulances use postcode-based dispatch.

In hospital

Impaired wound healing and infection risk

Inform the treating clinician that you have diabetes before any wound closure or surgical procedure. Peripheral circulation and infection risk are affected, and standard wound management protocols may need to be adjusted.

After any emergency

Contact your home specialist as soon as you are stable

Before you leave the hospital if possible.

Keep the discharge letter (discharge summary)

Required for insurer reimbursement and continuity of care.

Your IPS is ready to show

Open Nomedic and tap Share to generate a QR code any clinician can scan.

Open IPS

Frequently asked questions

Is insulin and other diabetes medication legal in the UK?

Yes. Insulin and all common diabetes medications — including GLP-1 receptor agonists, metformin, SGLT-2 inhibitors, and blood-glucose test strips — are fully legal in the United Kingdom. Prescription-only medicines (POMs) are regulated under the Human Medicines Regulations 2012; they are lawful to possess and import for personal medical use, but a valid prescription is required to obtain them from a UK pharmacy. Bringing a personal supply from your home country is permitted provided you carry supporting documentation (original prescription and/or a letter from your prescribing clinician) and the quantity is consistent with personal use. There are no controlled-drug restrictions that apply to standard diabetes medications; however, if you also carry opioid-based pain relief for a diabetes complication, separate controlled-drug import rules apply.

Can I bring insulin into the UK without a prescription?

Insulin is legal to bring into the UK for personal use without a separate import permit, but it is prescription-only under the Human Medicines Regulations 2012. Carry your original prescription, a specialist letter, and your full supply in hand luggage; UK Border Force may request documentation for needles and sharps.

Can I buy semaglutide (Ozempic) at a UK pharmacy without a prescription?

No. Semaglutide (Ozempic, Wegovy, Rybelsus) is prescription-only in the UK and cannot be purchased over the counter. UK supply of Ozempic and Wegovy has been constrained since 2023; do not rely on obtaining it locally and bring your full supply from home.

Will the NHS treat me for a diabetes emergency if I am not a UK resident?

Yes. NHS A&E departments are required to provide immediate necessary treatment regardless of residence status or ability to pay. EU/EEA travellers with a valid EHIC receive medically necessary care at NHS cost. Travellers without an EHIC will receive emergency treatment but may be billed for it afterwards; travel insurance with a declared diabetes condition should cover this.

Does the EHIC cover insulin prescriptions at UK pharmacies?

EU/EEA travellers with a valid EHIC are entitled to prescriptions on the same terms as UK residents, including the standard NHS prescription charge of £9.90 per item (~$13.50 / ~€11.60). You must obtain a UK prescription from an NHS GP or urgent treatment centre first; pharmacies cannot dispense against a non-UK prescription under NHS terms.

Do I need special travel insurance to visit the UK with diabetes?

Standard travel policies frequently exclude diabetes-related claims unless the condition is declared and explicitly accepted at underwriting. A private hospital admission in the UK can cost £1,500-£5,000 (~$2,045-$6,817 / ~€1,754-€5,845) per day without cover. Look for a policy that names diabetes explicitly in the schedule and covers emergency medical evacuation and replacement medication.

Declare thoroughly

Subtype, current medication, last HbA1c, and associated conditions. Incomplete disclosure invalidates the entire policy.

How do I communicate my diabetes diagnosis to a UK clinician in an emergency?

Show your Nomedic IPS first. If verbal communication is needed:

“”

I have diabetes. I may be having a hypoglycaemic episode. Please check my blood glucose.

“”

I take insulin. Here is my medication list.

What are the emergency numbers in the UK?

Ambulance / Police / Fire

999

Pan-European emergency

112

NHS non-emergency helpline

111 (available 24 hours; staffed by clinicians who can advise on whether to go to A&E)