Consumer Tips
Traveling and forgot your meds? Here’s what to do.
Our partners at Optum Rx share these simple tips to help you stay on track if you forget or lose your medication while traveling.
Vacation is supposed to be relaxing, but forgetting your medication can feel stressful. Take a breath. In most cases, you have options, and getting what you need is easier than you might think.
If you're traveling within the United States:
- Find a nearby pharmacy. Most major pharmacies can help quickly.
- Call your home pharmacy. Ask them to transfer your prescriptions.
- Let the local pharmacy know to expect the transfer so they can fill it as soon as possible.
If you're traveling outside of the United States:
- In some countries, certain medications that require a prescription in the U.S. may be available without one.
- If you choose to buy medication abroad, be cautious — some areas have issues with counterfeit drugs that may not meet safety standards.
How to stay safe:
- Only buy from licensed pharmacies and ask for a receipt.
- Ask the pharmacist to confirm the medication’s active ingredients match what you take at home.
- Avoid medications with poor quality or suspicious packaging.
When in doubt, it’s always okay to contact your doctor or pharmacist back home for guidance.