Knutsford Medical Partnership

Travel and Prescriptions – Important Information

If you are planning to travel abroad, please read the information below before requesting medication.

Prescriptions for Travel

The NHS is intended to provide treatment for current medical conditions, not medication “just in case” of illness while travelling.

As a practice, we follow NHS and local prescribing guidance to ensure safe and consistent care for all patients.

What we do NOT prescribe on the NHS

We do not prescribe the following on the NHS for travel purposes:

• Antibiotics “just in case” (for example for possible urine, chest or stomach infections)
• Medication for jet lag or sleep adjustment
• Medication to delay a period (e.g. norethisterone)
• Travel sickness medication
• Altitude sickness medication (e.g. acetazolamide)
• Medication requested solely in anticipation of illness while abroad

This applies even if you have had similar problems in the past. If you become unwell while abroad, you should seek medical assessment and treatment locally.

Regular medication and travel

If you are travelling, we can usually prescribe up to three months’ supply of your regular medication.
If you will be away for longer, you will need to arrange ongoing medical care in the country you are visiting.

Are there any exceptions?

In very rare circumstances, medication may be prescribed on the NHS for people with serious long-term medical conditions where treatment delay would pose a significant and immediate risk. These decisions are made by a GP on a case-by-case basis and are not routine.

Private prescriptions

Where NHS prescribing is not appropriate, a private prescription may sometimes be offered.
Private prescriptions are not free of charge and are issued at the doctor’s discretion.

Pharmacy and travel clinics

Many travel-related treatments and advice are available directly from:

• Community pharmacies
• Private travel clinics

These services are often the quickest way to access travel-related care.

Please plan ahead

Requests made urgently or shortly before travel may not be possible to accommodate. We recommend checking this information well in advance of travel.