Crossing Borders with Medicines
	If you need medication every day you should carry it with you in your hand luggage. Naturally you can buy many of the medicines you might need in pharmacies abroad. But experience shows that you often need the medicine when the shops and pharmacies are closed or when they are miles away. Wasting time getting the medicine you usually use, or trying to find a doctor to write a prescription for you does not improve your holiday, and just think about possible language problems. Ask your pharmacist for advice because he or she will probably be able to find out the name of your usual medicine in the country of your destination. Talk to your doctor well in advance It is a good idea to talk to your doctor well before you leave. GPs are likely to prescribe a maximum of 3 months of regular medication for overseas travel. The doctor can tell you if there are any special precautions you should take, or whether you need any extra medication for the trip you are planning. At the same time, you can find out whether you need any vaccinations or medication to prevent malaria, before you leave.  Statement from your doctor If you are taking needles, syringes or a prescription-only medicine with you, it is a good idea to ask your doctor to write a statement explaining, in English, that he has advised you to take the items with you. This will help to avoid any problems with customs officers. You may also find it helpful to have that statement translated in to French and Spanish depending on your destination. The doctor's letter may take the form of an explanation "To whom it may concern" in which the doctor explains that he has prescribed the medication for you, or that the needles and syringes you are carrying have a purpose (either for regular medication, such as insulin, or for emergency use). An alternative to the letter may be to take a photocopy of the prescription on which the medicine was supplied. But here you should bear in mind that if the text is in a foreign language, which the customs officers do not understand, it may irritate them.  AIDs patients on Highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) have to carry a very large number of drugs and may be discouraged by the prospects of discrimination if they carry these. However, it is still best to keep medication with you than risk losing it in the hold. How much medicine should you take with you? The amount you take with you on holiday should easily cover the time you are away. There is an agreement between European countries to the effect that you may carry a 3-month supply with you. Check with the embassy If you are going further afield than Europe there may be more complicated regulations on taking medicine across a border. Many countries, including India, Pakistan, Turkey and some Middle Eastern countries, for instance, have lists of drugs that are not allowed to be brought into the country. It may be wise to contact the relevant embassy well before you leave. Then you can be sure that there will be no problems taking the medicine you need.