Holiday Health Checklist: What to Get from Your Pharmacy Before You Travel

Why You Should Visit a Pharmacist Before You Travel

A pre-travel pharmacy consultation is one of the most cost-effective steps you can take before a holiday. Your pharmacist can assess your destination-specific risks, recommend or administer vaccinations, provide malaria prevention tablets, and review your existing medicines for travel suitability — all without needing a GP appointment in most cases.

Don't leave it too late. Some vaccines require two or three doses spaced weeks apart to be fully effective. The NHS recommends visiting a travel health clinic or pharmacy at least 6–8 weeks before departure.

Travel Vaccinations Available at Your Pharmacy

Many travel vaccines are available at pharmacies. Common ones include:

• Hepatitis A
• Typhoid
• Meningitis ACWY
• Yellow fever (at designated yellow fever centres)
• Japanese encephalitis
• Rabies

Some NHS vaccinations for travel (such as hepatitis A or tetanus boosters for certain destinations) may be free. Private vaccines are charged at a fixed fee. Ask your pharmacist what's covered and what isn't for your destination.

Malaria Prevention: Do You Need Tablets?

Malaria risk varies significantly by destination and even by region within a country. Your pharmacist will use NaTHNaC (the National Travel Health Network and Centre) guidelines to assess your risk and recommend the most appropriate antimalarial tablets for your trip.

Common options include atovaquone/proguanil (Malarone), doxycycline, and mefloquine. Each has different side effect profiles and dosing schedules — your pharmacist will help you choose the one that suits your health and itinerary.

Your Holiday Medicine Bag Essentials

Beyond vaccinations, your pharmacy can stock your travel medicine kit:

• Oral rehydration sachets for diarrhoea or dehydration
• Insect repellent (DEET-based for high-risk destinations)
• Sunscreen SPF 30 or higher
• Antihistamines for insect bites or allergic reactions
• Pain relief (paracetamol, ibuprofen)
• Motion sickness tablets (if needed)
• First aid basics: plasters, antiseptic wipes, blister treatment

Tips for Travelling with Prescription Medicines

If you take regular prescription medicines, plan ahead:

• Ensure you have enough supply for the full trip, plus a few days' extra in case of delays
• Carry medicines in their original labelled packaging with a copy of your prescription
• Ask your pharmacist about storage at higher temperatures — some medicines degrade in hot climates
• Check if your destination country has any restrictions on bringing in certain medicines (narcotics, controlled drugs)

How Far in Advance Should You Book a Travel Health Appointment?

The NHS recommends booking at least 6–8 weeks before travel. Some vaccines (such as rabies or Japanese encephalitis) require a course of 2–3 injections spread over several weeks. If you're travelling sooner, don't wait — your pharmacist can still provide whatever protection is possible in the time available, and advise on additional precautions.