How to Replace Lost or Stolen Medications While Abroad
Feb, 3 2026
Running out of medication while traveling abroad isn’t just inconvenient-it can be dangerous. Whether your bag was stolen, your suitcase got lost by the airline, or you accidentally left your pills in a hotel room, the panic is real. The good news? You can get your meds replaced overseas. But it’s not as simple as walking into a pharmacy and asking for a refill. Rules vary wildly from country to country, and without the right steps, you could be stuck for days-or worse, go without critical treatment.
Step 1: Stay Calm and Assess What You Lost
First, figure out exactly what you’re missing. Was it your entire supply, or just a few days’ worth? Are you missing controlled substances like Adderall, OxyContin, or Xanax? Or is it something like insulin, blood pressure meds, or birth control? The type of medication determines how hard it’ll be to replace.Controlled substances (Schedule II drugs under U.S. law) are the toughest. The DEA doesn’t allow refills or emergency prescriptions for these outside the U.S., even if you have a valid prescription. That means no pharmacy abroad can legally fill a U.S. prescription for Vicodin or Ritalin. You’ll need a local doctor to evaluate you and write a new prescription-and even then, many countries restrict these drugs entirely.
For non-controlled medications like metformin, levothyroxine, or sertraline, replacement is far more likely. But you still need documentation.
Step 2: Use Your Travel Insurance (If You Have It)
If you bought comprehensive travel insurance, you’re not alone. Around 68% of these plans include prescription replacement coverage, with limits usually between $500 and $1,000 per incident. But you can’t just submit a receipt-you need to activate your assistance service.Most insurers (like Allianz, AIG, or AllTrips) have 24/7 emergency hotlines. Call them immediately. They’ll connect you with a medical coordinator who can:
- Verify your original prescription with your U.S. doctor
- Find a local doctor willing to see you
- Arrange a telehealth consult if needed
- Locate a pharmacy that can dispense the medication
MedAire’s Global Health Response Team, used by many insurers, successfully replaces medications for 89% of clients within 12 hours. That’s the difference between waiting three days alone and getting help in under half a day.
Step 3: Get a Copy of Your Prescription and Doctor’s Letter
This is the single most important thing you can do before you leave. If you didn’t do it, do it now.Ask your doctor for two things:
- A written letter on official letterhead explaining your condition and listing all your medications by generic name (not brand name)
- A copy of your original prescription(s), including dosage and refill instructions
Why? Because 89% of countries won’t fill a foreign prescription. A letter from your doctor acts as proof that you’re not trying to buy drugs illegally. The U.S. State Department and 92% of travel medicine specialists recommend this. And if you don’t have it? A 2023 study in the Journal of Travel Medicine found you’re 3.7 times more likely to face long delays.
Step 4: Contact a Local Doctor
Once you’ve got your documents, find a local clinic or hospital. Don’t try to go to a pharmacy first-they can’t help without a local prescription.Here’s how to find one:
- Ask your hotel concierge-they often have a list of English-speaking doctors
- Use your travel insurance provider’s network
- Search for clinics affiliated with international hospitals (like International SOS or Bupa Global)
Most local doctors will want to see you in person, especially for chronic conditions like diabetes or heart disease. The American Medical Association found 76% of overseas physicians refuse to prescribe unfamiliar medications without an exam. That’s not bureaucracy-it’s safety.
Bring your original medication bottles if you have them. Even empty ones help prove what you were taking.
Step 5: Know the Local Rules-They’re Not the Same as the U.S.
What’s legal in the U.S. might be illegal-or tightly controlled-overseas.Examples:
- In Thailand, pseudoephedrine (found in many cold meds) is classified as a narcotic under the 1988 Narcotics Act. You can’t buy it without a prescription, and even then, it’s restricted.
- In the U.K., codeine is available over-the-counter in low doses. In the U.S., it’s prescription-only.
- In Japan, many common U.S. cold and allergy medications are banned entirely.
Before you go, check the CDC Yellow Book 2024 or the U.S. State Department’s travel site for your destination’s medication rules. Thirty-one percent of medication emergencies could’ve been avoided with simple pre-trip research.
Step 6: Avoid Counterfeit Drugs at All Costs
This is not a drill. The WHO estimates that up to 1 in 10 medicines sold in low- and middle-income countries are fake. In parts of Southeast Asia and Africa, that number jumps to 30%. Fake insulin, antibiotics, or heart meds can kill.How to spot them:
- Check the packaging-spelling errors, blurry logos, or mismatched colors are red flags
- Compare the pills to your original ones-size, color, markings
- Only buy from licensed pharmacies, not street vendors or unmarked clinics
Pharmacies in the EU, Canada, Australia, Japan, and Western Europe are far more reliable. In countries with weaker regulation, stick to major hospital pharmacies or chains like Boots (UK), Watsons (Southeast Asia), or Farmacias Similares (Mexico).
Step 7: If Your Medication Was Stolen, File a Police Report
This isn’t just for insurance-it’s often required. If your bag was stolen on the street, you need an official report. If your luggage was lost by the airline, you need to file with their baggage service office within 24 hours.IATA (International Air Transport Association) requires theft or loss reports for baggage claims within 21 days. Without that report, your travel insurance claim might be denied.
Keep a copy of the police report. You’ll need it for insurance, your doctor, and possibly your embassy.
Step 8: What If You Don’t Have Travel Insurance?
You’re not out of options-but it’ll cost more and take longer.Without insurance:
- Call your U.S. pharmacy. Chain pharmacies like Walgreens and CVS have shared databases. If you still have refills left, they might be able to fax a new prescription to a local pharmacy.
- Call your prescribing doctor. Even if they’re not available immediately, leave a detailed voicemail. Many will call back if they know it’s an emergency.
- Visit a local clinic and pay out-of-pocket. Costs vary: $75-$150 in Western Europe, $40-$90 in Southeast Asia, $120-$200 in Latin America.
Some U.S.-based telehealth services like MyUSADr can prescribe non-controlled medications to travelers abroad-but they can’t touch Schedule II drugs. And even then, you still need a local doctor to dispense it.
Step 9: Protect Your Meds Before You Go
The best way to avoid this whole mess? Prevent it.- Carry at least a 7-day supply in your carry-on. IATA says 1 in 150 checked bags get lost or delayed.
- Keep meds in original bottles with pharmacy labels showing your name, drug name, and dosage. 63% of countries require this.
- For insulin or temperature-sensitive meds, use a portable cooler. 41% of travelers report reduced effectiveness after heat exposure.
- Use apps like Medisafe to store digital copies of your prescriptions-though only 17% of countries accept them as official proof.
What About Emergency Refills for Chronic Conditions?
If you’re on long-term meds for diabetes, epilepsy, or heart disease, don’t wait until you’re stranded.Before you leave:
- Ask your doctor for a 90-day supply instead of 30
- Ask for a backup prescription to leave with a trusted friend or family member
- Consider a travel medical alert card that lists your conditions and meds
For insulin users, the International Diabetes Federation recommends carrying twice your daily dose. For psychiatric meds, always bring extra-discontinuing suddenly can trigger severe reactions.
Can I get my prescription refilled at a pharmacy abroad?
Almost never. Most countries don’t recognize foreign prescriptions. You’ll need to see a local doctor who can write a new prescription based on your documentation. Only a few countries (like those in the EU) have limited reciprocal agreements, but even then, you need a doctor’s letter and original bottles.
What if I lose my controlled substances like Adderall or Xanax?
You can’t refill them overseas. U.S. federal law prohibits it, and most countries ban them entirely. Your only option is to see a local doctor who may prescribe an alternative medication-but you’ll need to explain your condition thoroughly. It’s not guaranteed, and it takes time. That’s why bringing extra is critical.
Does travel insurance cover all my medications?
Only if you have a comprehensive plan. Basic medical-only policies usually exclude prescription replacement. Look for plans that specifically list "prescription medication replacement" as a covered benefit. Coverage limits are typically $500-$1,000 per incident. Always check your policy before you leave.
Can I use my U.S. prescription to buy meds online from abroad?
Absolutely not. Buying medications online from foreign websites is illegal in the U.S. and dangerous. The FDA warns that up to 50% of drugs sold online from overseas are counterfeit. Even if they look real, they may be ineffective or toxic. Stick to licensed local pharmacies only.
What should I do if I’m in a country with no English-speaking doctors?
Use your travel insurance’s 24/7 assistance line-they have translators and local medical networks. You can also contact your country’s embassy or consulate. They often have lists of recommended doctors and can help you communicate. Never rely on hotel staff or strangers to translate medical info-misunderstandings can be life-threatening.