Travelling with medicines

​​Some medicines, such as those classified under “Schedule 8”, have strict legislative controls. You are advised to seek advice when travelling with these medicines within Australia or overseas.

Schedule 8 medicines are also known as “controlled drugs” and “drugs of addiction” and commonly include:

• opioid analgesics, such as morphine, fentanyl, oxycodone, methadone and buprenorphine
• cannabis medicines containing nabiximols and tetrahydrocannabinols
• stimulant medicines used to treat ADHD, such as dexamfetamine, methylphenidate and lisdexamfetamine
• the medicines flunitrazepam and alprazolam.

You can find other examples on Schedule 8 medicines.

Schedule 8 medicines are prescription medicines that have a recognised therapeutic need but also a higher risk of misuse, abuse and dependence. In some circumstances, the doctor will need to get approval or permission to prescribe or supply. More information on medicines that need approval can be found at Approval requirements for certain medicines.

Some countries have very strict rules regarding Schedule 8 medicines and it may be illegal to take them with you.

Consumers should be aware of the legal issues and their responsibilities if they are receiving treatment with these medicines.

Tips for travelling with prescription medicines

• Keep medicines in the packaging and labelling as dispensed by the pharmacist. This helps in verifying the legality of the medicine if questioned by authorities.
• Carry a copy of a prescription and/or a letter from your doctor describing the medicine you are taking and the quantity you are bringing with you.
• Travel with an adequate supply of the medicines that you will need for your stay.
• Be aware that not all prescriptions can be dispensed by pharmacies in other states or territories and different rules may apply.
• All prescriptions dispensed in NSW must be issued by a prescriber who is registered on the Australian Register of Practitioners.
• Be aware that some medicines can only be prescribed by specialists. If you lose your medicines or do not carry adequate supplies, you will need to be referred to a specialist for a new prescription. This is likely to be a timely and expensive process that may not be covered by travel insurance.

Travel interstate

When travelling within Australia, it's important to be aware that requirements for prescription and possession of medicines vary between states and territories.

It’s preferred to carry an electronic prescription that is issued to you by your doctor. This electronic prescription must comply with any approval or permit requirements of the state or territory you are travelling to.

If you are travelling to another state or territory with Schedule 8 medicines, you are advised to contact their medicines and poisons regulation unit for advice. See Contacts for State/Territory medicines & poisons regulation units and State and territory laws for details for the state or territory you are travelling to.

Travel overseas

Travelling overseas with medicines requires careful planning and compliance with the regulations of the destination country.

Before taking or sending medicines overseas and/or bringing medicines into Australia, please refer to:

• TGA | Travelling with medicines and medical devices
• Medicinal cannabis: importation and the traveller's exemption
• How to manage your PBS medicine overseas
• Smartraveller | Understand the law in your destination
• Commonwealth's customs laws as they limit the type and quantity of medicines with which a traveller may leave and re-enter Australia.

If you are travelling with cannabis medicines, check the laws of the country you're visiting as some have strict penalties for possession of cannabis, even for medicinal use. Some cruise lines also prohibit cannabis medicines so it’s advisable to contact the relevant company for advice.

Who to contact for medicines advice

• If you have immediate concerns about a person's health and safety, call triple zero (000) or visit a hospital emergency department.
• The Poisons Information Centre provides the latest poisons information to the public. Advice is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, at 131126 from anywhere in Australia.
• For non-life-threatening concerns or general medicines advice, contact your regular health professional first.
• For 24-hour health advice, you can call the Health Direct hotline at 1800 022 222. You can also visit healthdirect to check your symptoms, find a health service, or find health information.
• For further information about medicines advice and reporting medicine side effects, visit the Australian Government - Department of Health, Disability and Ageing.