MedAire blog

What happens if you are travelling abroad and have lost, run out of, or had your medication stolen?  

Finding replacements can be inconvenient or even hazardous. According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), between 10 and 30 per cent of medications are counterfeit in some countries. 

Dr Katie Geary, medical director at International SOS, MedAire's parent company, shared recommendations with readers of ITIJ, the International Travel & Health Insurance Journal. 

“We have several options depending upon the country, the medication required, and the duration of travel. Occasionally, there are issues where a medication is not available in a country,” said Dr Geary, “either because it is not licensed for import or because it is not approved for distribution in the country."  

If the drug is not available but approved for use in country and the person will be travelling in the area for an extended period of time, we can work with our medical suppliers and a local credentialed clinic and import the required medication.” Finally, she said, ‘on the rare occasion where no appropriate alternative is available, and the medication is mandatory, we would take the traveller to the medication’. See the full article: Dr Katie Geary talks to ITIJ here.