Travelling with medication

The information on this page will help you if you’re travelling outside Canada with prescription medication, over-the-counter medication or medical equipment.

Medications may be closely inspected by border officials in other countries or upon entry into Canada.  

On this page

• Before you leave
• While you’re away
• If you need help

Before you leave

Some over-the-counter and prescription medications, dietary supplements, and herbal and homeopathic products that are legal in Canada may be illegal in other countries or need pre-approval from local authorities.

Furthermore, some over-the-counter and prescription medications may not be available in other countries. For instance, auto-injectors for the treatment of anaphylactic shock are not sold in certain countries. Travellers are advised to carry a sufficient supply of their required medications for the duration of their trip.

• Remember that even if you’re authorized to use cannabis for medical purposes, it is illegal to transport it and all products containing cannabis, including products containing cannabidiol (CBD), across the Canadian border unless authorized by Health Canada and in line with the laws of the country which you are travelling to.
• Find out if your medications are legal in the country you plan to visit. If you bring medicines with you, you're responsible for determining their legality before departing.
  • Contact the foreign government office accredited to Canada of the country you plan to visit to confirm the status of your medications.
• Keep a list of all medications and ensure they are in their original, labelled containers.
• Carry with you:
  • a copy of the original prescription with the generic and trade names of the medications in case of loss or theft
    • your healthcare provider, including your pharmacist, can provide a list of all your medications
  • a doctor’s note explaining why you are taking the medications
• Keep all medications and medical supplies in your carry-on luggage.
  • This will allow you to keep it with you at all times and provide information about the medication if needed.
• Learn about what you can and cannot pack in your carry-on luggage. (Canadian Air Transport Security Authority (CATSA))
• Carry appropriate insurance to cover medical care abroad, including care to request new prescriptions as medical care abroad can be very expensive.
• Identifying a trusted health care provider abroad before travelling could be helpful to support significant medical issues and multiple medications.
• Check the requirements to:
  • fly with medications and medical items (CATSA)
  • travel into and out of Canada with prescription medications that contain controlled substances (Health Canada (HC))
• Consult the health section of the Travel Advice and Advisories page for your destination(s).
• Register with the Registration of Canadians Abroad service to stay informed of any changes at your destination that could affect your health or safety.

While you’re away

• Don’t buy medications outside Canada unless you have been advised by a health care professional.
• Watch out for medications that could be counterfeit or may not meet Canadian standards.
  • Counterfeit vaccines or medications may not be effective and could contain harmful ingredients not listed on the label.
    • If you receive vaccines or medications while abroad, note what you were given and when.
    • You should keep the original packaging to bring home or take a photo of the package and labels.
    • This information should be reviewed with a health care provider upon your return to Canada.
• Note that some medications may carry social stigma, associate individuals with vulnerable groups or raise questions at your destination.
  • For example, birth control medications , HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and anti-depressants might not be widely accepted, depending on your destination’s culture and laws.
• Before travelling, verify local requirements and ensure you carry appropriate documentation for any prescription medications.
• Understand that you’re subject to the laws of any country you’re visiting:
  • It’s your responsibility to know and abide by local laws.
  • Being a Canadian citizen does not protect you from prosecution, and consular officials can’t get you out of jail.

If you need help

Emergency consular assistance while outside Canada:

Request emergency assistance

Related links

• Sickness or injury
• Receiving medical care outside Canada
• Vaccinations
• Travelling with disabilities
• Travelling with a medical device
• Travelling into and out of Canada with prescription medications that contain controlled substances (HC)
• What you can bring on a plane (CATSA)
• Animal and plant ingredients in traditional medicine (Environment and Climate Change Canada)
• Tips for healthy travel