How to organize prescription medicine for an extended (>3 months) travel in Australia and New Zealand?

9/22/2016 12:04:26 PM

So I’ve sort of been in your situation. I’ve needed more than 3 months supply of medication (heart/blood pressure and more) as a New Zealand citizen living in the UK (before a trip to South America and before a trip overland Asia). I’ve also needed several months supply as a NZ citizen living in Australia for a trip.

There’s two sides to the problem, as you’ve identified. From what I recall, NHS would only let me have 3 months at a time max, but maybe that’s drug specific as you seem to have managed to get more. That’s great.

I got 3 months, and then when I needed more, I simply went to the town’s hospital with my original prescription and a letter from my doctor. I did this for blood tests as well – would just wander into the hospital and ask – and someone would always help.

I’ve done this and re-filled my supply in countries like Ecuador (no prescription needed), Estonia, Canada and the US. If you see a doctor and explain what it’s for, and have a letter to back you up, there’s no reason they’d be likely to not give it to you.

I also looked into shipping drugs ahead (amusingly my plan at one point was to ship drugs into Colombia), but it got too complicated as I wasn’t sure where I’d be.

If you’re entering Australia, note that under the reciprocal agreements they have with the UK you might even get discounts on certain meds, and have access to healthcare services.

The same applies in New Zealand, unless things have changed since I was last there.

I can recommend Broadway Medical center in Sydney – my local doctor who has a pharmacy and blood test lab all together about 10 minutes walk from Central Station, so you could do a ‘one stop shop’. In Christchurch, I can recommend Ilam Medical Center and Ilam Pharmacy, both know me by name, and it’s a 5 minute drive from the airport, or about 15 min from the city center.

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Hello,My name is Aparna Patel,I’m a Travel Blogger and Photographer who travel the world full-time with my hubby.I like to share my travel experience.

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