Key takeaways

Encourage patients to start planning at least four to six weeks before summer travel to allow enough time for vaccines, refills, and documentation, especially if traveling abroad.
Counsel patients on properly storing medications and on adjusting dosing schedules across time zones.
Recommend a basic health kit stocked with OTC essentials like pain relievers, sunscreen, and insect repellent.

In this article:

Helping patients prep for summer travel
Supporting out-of-town travelers

In this article

Helping patients prep for summer travel
Supporting out-of-town travelers

When the weather warms up, many people start making plans: booking summer vacations, signing kids up for summer camp, or preparing for international travel. Whether patients are shopping for travel-size products or comparing sunscreens, pharmacists have a valuable opportunity to step in with expert advice on staying healthy and remembering medications while away from home.

Pharmacy teams can play a key role in helping patients prepare for the realities of travel—things like medication storage, adjusting dosage schedules for time zone changes, and getting familiar with health regulations abroad. Here are practical ways pharmacists can support patients as they get ready to pack their bags.

How to help patients get ready for summer travel

The CDC recommends that travelers begin planning at least four to six weeks before their trip. That gives patients enough time to get any vaccines or medications they may need (depending on their destination), and plenty of time to refill routine medications. Pharmacists can initiate these conversations when patients stop in for seasonal needs or by asking about their upcoming summer plans.

If patients are getting ready to travel abroad, pharmacists can help ensure they are up-to-date on all routine vaccines, such as tetanus, flu, or COVID-19.

Depending on the country they’re headed to, certain travel vaccines, such as hepatitis B, typhoid, chikungunya, or yellow fever, may be recommended or even required. Even if your pharmacy doesn’t offer certain travel vaccines, pharmacy teams can still help by referring patients to a travel medicine specialist or directing them to the CDC travelers’ health website, where they can learn more about travel vaccine requirements by country and how to prepare for their trip.

Recommend that patients carry documentation of any required vaccines and a current list of their medications, allergies, and medical conditions. A printed copy is especially helpful if Wi-Fi or cellular service may be limited at their destination. For high-risk patients, suggest wearing a medical ID bracelet or necklace.

2. Remind patients to request extra refills

Pharmacists can help ensure patients don’t run out of medications during summer travel. Patients should pack enough medication to last the entire trip, plus a few extra days’ supply in case of unexpected delays. Urge them to refill medications ahead of time to allow plenty of time for processing or delays, such as needing to contact the prescriber for more refills or medications being out of stock. Waiting to stop by the pharmacy right before they leave may cause extra stress if these issues pop up just hours before a flight.

The same rules apply if parents are prepping kids for sleepaway camp. It’s smart to send a backup supply of critical medications like EpiPens or albuterol inhalers.

3. Offer advice on packing medications for travel

Patients using temperature-sensitive medications, such as insulin, may need guidance on traveling with refrigerated medications. Remind them not to store these medications in checked luggage or any area subject to extreme temperature changes, such as a car trunk or cargo hold. Instead, recommend using insulated bags with gel packs to maintain a safe temperature during travel.

Patients may ask if they can pack their medications in a pill organizer. Pharmacy teams should remind patients to always travel with prescription medication in their original, labeled containers, as recommended by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and CDC. Remind them to always keep their medications in a carry-on bag, just in case checked luggage is lost or delayed.

Share these TSA tips with your patients to help them prepare for going through airport security with their medications:

Solid medications, such as pills, are allowed in any quantity.
Liquid medications that are medically necessary are allowed in amounts greater than 3.4 ounces. Travelers must tell the TSA officer about these items at the start of the screening process.
Accessories such as ice packs, syringes, and pumps are allowed at the checkpoint. These items can be frozen, partially frozen, or melted.
Keep medications and related supplies organized and clearly labeled. This helps speed up screening and reduces delays.
For controlled substances and injectables, it’s a good idea to bring a healthcare provider’s note explaining medical necessity and a copy of their prescription.

Parents sending children to overnight camp should also pack prescriptions in their original containers and include clear instructions. Depending on the camp’s requirements, pharmacists can offer extra labeled containers or confirm prescription details to help camp staff administer the drugs safely. These small steps can go a long way in building trust with caregivers and keeping kids safe while they’re away from home.

4. Advise patients on international restrictions

Traveling with prescription drugs internationally can be especially tricky. Some prescription drugs that are legal in the U.S. may be banned or heavily restricted in other countries, such as narcotics, stimulants, or sedatives. Some countries may also limit quantities or outright prohibit medications, including some that are available over the counter in the U.S.

The U.S. State Department encourages travelers to check with the embassy of their destination country about any medication restrictions. For instance, Japan does not allow certain decongestants or allergy medications and bans all forms of CBD, THC, and amphetamines. Travelers could be arrested for bringing banned substances into the country, even with a valid prescription.

Pharmacists can help patients understand these nuances and avoid unintended legal issues abroad. Pharmacy teams can also encourage patients to communicate with their healthcare provider about alternative medications they can take during their trip.

5. Explain how to adjust medication timing

Travel can disrupt medication schedules, especially when crossing time zones. If a patient takes medication at the same time each day, help them plan how to adjust their dosing gradually to align with the local time at their destination. Harvard’s Global Support Services recommends patients talk to prescribers about a temporary shift in timing to maintain therapeutic levels without risking double or missed doses. Encourage patients to use a medication reminder app, especially when traveling across time zones. Jet lag can interfere with memory and daily routines, making it easy to miss doses.

6. Help assemble a travel first aid kit

You can also help patients prepare for common summer health concerns by recommending a travel-friendly health kit stocked with over-the-counter (OTC) medications to bring on vacation. The contents you recommend may differ based on factors like where they’re going, trip duration, group size, and available space, according to the CDC. Travel kits may range from a basic first aid kit to an expanded version for remote destinations.

Items that pharmacy teams can suggest for a travel-friendly OTC kit include:

Pain relievers
Antidiarrheals
Antihistamines
Motion sickness remedies
Sunscreen (SPF 30 or higher)
Insect repellent
Aloe vera for sunburn
Adhesive bandages (various sizes)
Antiseptic wipes or solution
Tweezers
Gauze pads and medical tape
Blister treatment, such as moleskine pads

Pharmacists can also recommend OTC products to help patients stay safe and healthy while enjoying outdoor adventures like camping and hiking. Poison ivy, insect bites, and other skin reactions are common concerns during these activities. Patients might benefit from barrier creams, calamine lotion, antihistamines, and hydrocortisone cream to manage itching and inflammation. These conversations are often quick but incredibly helpful for preventing discomfort and ensuring patients are prepared.

How to support out-of-town travelers

Pharmacists aren’t just a resource for local patients—they’re also a valuable point of care for travelers who forgot their prescription on vacation or run into health issues while away. Such scenarios are especially common in pharmacies located near airports, in beach towns, or in major cities, but it can happen anywhere. Whether it’s a forgotten inhaler or a lost luggage situation, pharmacists can step in to help.

When visitors need medication, pharmacy teams can assist with transferring prescriptions by contacting the patient’s home pharmacy, if possible, or offering to contact their healthcare provider’s office.

If a traveler presents with a minor illness or condition, such as seasonal allergies, sunburn, or motion sickness, pharmacists can recommend over-the-counter treatments or help them decide when to seek further care. Knowing how to triage symptoms is especially helpful for those unfamiliar with local healthcare options. Pharmacists can also suggest checking whether their insurance offers telehealth services, which may allow them to consult a healthcare provider virtually from their hotel or vacation rental.