How to continue medication prescribed abroad after moving to the UK

Katerina Galkina · EN · 07/10/2026

Arrange a review with a UK prescriber well before supplies run out. An overseas medical letter helps establish history but is not always a prescription a UK pharmacy can legally dispense. Availability, formulation and monitoring arrangements may differ.

Prepare treatment information

Bring the original prescription, diagnosis, monitoring results and packaging. List the active ingredient, strength, formulation, dose, frequency and supply end date. Disclose allergies, pregnancy and other products, including supplements.

Register with a GP and request a medication review. Mention complex medicines, controlled drugs or specialist-only treatment when booking: a short administrative request may be insufficient.

Check whether the overseas prescription can be dispensed

The UK recognises certain prescriptions from authorised EEA and Swiss prescribers when requirements are met. These are dispensed privately; exceptions include Schedule 1–3 controlled drugs and specials. Not every country or profession qualifies. GOV.UK: overseas prescriptions ↗.

Prescriptions from other countries generally require assessment by a UK prescriber. Show the document to a pharmacist early to establish acceptability, stock and ordering time, rather than waiting until your last tablet.

Agree a UK care plan

A UK clinician will assess the indication and may prescribe an available equivalent, request further information or refer to a specialist. Matching brand names do not guarantee identical strengths or release formulations.

Establish who issues repeat prescriptions, what tests are required, when review is due and what happens if referral is delayed. Do not substitute medicines yourself, especially modified-release products or treatments requiring monitoring.

Avoid an unplanned interruption

Tell your GP and pharmacy immediately if supplies are running low. Emergency supply is not available for every medicine and depends on pharmacist assessment; use NHS 111 for urgent shortages. NHS: emergency prescriptions ↗.

When bringing medication into the UK, check separate controlled-drug rules, documents and quantities. Permission to carry a medicine does not establish permission to receive it by post or buy it without a UK prescription. GOV.UK: travelling with medicine ↗. Avoid sellers promising prescription-only medication without checking a prescription.