Travelling out of the country for less than 3 months
The BMA guidance on prescribing in General Practice states that the NHS accepts responsibility for supplying ongoing medication for temporary periods abroad of up to three months. This applies for both holidays and working abroad.
For patients who inform us they will be out of the country for less than 3 months, we will provide sufficient medicines for an existing condition for the period while the patient is away where it is safe to do so. Patients can have up to three months’ supply of additional medication in any 12-month rolling period. Drugs that require frequent monitoring may not be prescribed where there are safety concerns.
The actual quantity of any prescription would depend on the GPs clinical judgement.
Travelling out of the country for more than 3 months
Patients who inform us they will be leaving the country for more than 3 months will be prescribed sufficient medication to enable them to make alternative arrangements at their destination (up to 3 months supply where safe to do so). Patients are advised to register with a local doctor for continuing medication, which they may need to pay for; and it is up to the patient to check if the medicines required are available in the country being visited.
NHS prescriptions must never be obtained by relatives or friends on behalf of patients who are currently abroad as this constitutes NHS fraud., irrespective of such factors as owning a house in the UK or paying UK taxes. We will not issue medications to be taken abroad on behalf of others.
The National Health Service (General Medical Services Contracts) Regulations 2004, states that a person who leaves the UK with the intention of being away for a period of at least three months is removed from the doctor’s list and, as a consequence, ceases to be eligible for NHS treatment. Therefore at NHMP we are required to deregister a patient who we know or suspect to be residing outside the UK for three months or more. We will be pleased to re-register patients on their return to residence in the UK and can reassure patient that their electronic notes are kept on file for reference on your return.
Prescriptions for medicines in case of illness while abroad
GPs will only prescribe NHS prescriptions in this case for exacerbations of pre-existing illnesses; E.g. antibiotics for patients who have frequent infections secondary to an underlying lung condition, for which this has already been established as usual practice for the patient.
GPs at NHMP are not responsible for prescribing medications that arise while travelling, such as diarrhoea medicine, travel sickness, diazepam for flying (see page on benzodiazepine prescriptions) or altitude sickness. These medications need to be bought privately.
Controlled Drugs
Patients should be aware that some drugs commonly prescribed in the UK may be illegal in certain countries and it is the responsibility of the patient to check with that country’s embassy before they travel.
See the following link for UK Government Advice:
https://www.gov.uk/take-medicine-in-or-out-uk
Travel Health Pro
https://www.travelhealthpro.org.uk/factsheet/43/medicines-and-travel