Can I bring my medicines?

You can bring your own medicines into the US for personal use, but US drug rules differ from the UK’s. Bring a limited supply with the right paperwork, then move your prescriptions to a US doctor.

What to carry when you fly

• Keep medicines in their original pharmacy packaging
• Carry a copy of your prescription (in English) and a letter from your GP listing each medicine by its generic (non-brand) name, the dose and the amount
• TravelHealthPro suggests carrying medicines in your hand luggage, with some extra in your hold bag
• On US flights, TSA allows medically necessary liquids over 100ml in reasonable amounts. Tell the officer at the start of screening. UK airports have their own rules, so check with yours
• Bring only what you need for yourself

The FDA (US Food and Drug Administration) says foreign nationals can bring or ship a 90-day supply of medicines. If you are staying longer, you may have more sent, with a copy of your passport or visa, a doctor’s letter and a copy of the prescription in English. The FDA warns that it is generally illegal to import a medicine that isn’t approved in the US, so a UK medicine with no US equivalent can be refused. Officers have the final say.

Controlled medicines

Some medicines are “controlled” because they can be misused, and the lists differ between countries. The rules can apply to medicines sold over the counter in the UK too. For these, the DEA (Drug Enforcement Administration) decides what you can bring:

• The medicine must be in the original container it was dispensed in
• You must declare it to a customs officer, saying it is for your personal use and giving its name (or the pharmacy and prescription number)
• A US resident can bring in no more than 50 dosage units in total of controlled medicines obtained abroad. Once you live in the US, this limit may apply to you, so get a US prescription before you need more
• Ask your UK doctor or pharmacist whether any of your medicines contain a controlled drug, and check the US rules before you travel. Carry a prescription or doctor’s letter

Cannabis and CBD

Medical cannabis isn’t regulated by the FDA; it tells travellers to ask CBP (US Customs and Border Protection). TravelHealthPro notes that CBD products, legal in the UK, are banned in many countries. Leave them at home unless CBP confirms otherwise.

Posting medicines later

If someone posts medicine to you while you’re settling in, include the documents the FDA suggests: a copy of your passport or visa, a doctor’s letter and a prescription in English. Parcels can still be refused, and controlled medicines are much harder. Plan to switch to a US prescription before your supply runs out.

Getting prescriptions in the US

The FCDO says UK prescriptions aren’t valid in the US: you need one from a US provider, such as a doctor, an urgent care clinic or an emergency room. Book a primary care doctor as soon as your health insurance starts. Bring your UK records and a list of your medicines. A medicine’s name, strength or approval status can differ, so your doctor may switch you to a US equivalent.

See How does US healthcare work for Brits?