class=”sc-29f61514-0 fQbOYE”>
Summer vacation has started, there is travel fever in Switzerland again. But when it comes to medicinal products, different rules apply depending on where you’re going. Blick explains how to arm yourself for carefree trips abroad.
What should be considered before leaving?
If you’re traveling to a remote area, it makes sense to check with your family doctor, travel medicine center or vaccine pharmacy a few weeks before you leave. In some cases, preventive measures against dangerous diseases may be necessary even before the holiday begins. “Different diseases predominate, depending on country or region,” says pharmacist Natalia Blarer (47) of Europaallee pharmacy in Zurich.
Vaccination against hepatitis A and B, rabies, yellow fever, typhoid fever, Japanese encephalitis or meningococci may be necessary. Blarer says it’s worth checking ahead of time how good the medical care and medication availability at the destination is.
In case of allergies or intolerances, the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) also recommends issuing a medical certificate. Additional insurance is also helpful. Because not all health insurances cover the costs incurred in the travel destination.
What are the essentials in a first aid kit?
“Every first aid kit should contain paracetamol for fever and pain, a remedy for traveler’s diarrhea, and a disinfectant for sores and sores,” says Blarer. On family holidays with puppies, it is also recommended to take an antipyretic pain reliever in the form of drops or syrup for children. “We should also not forget about the personal medication that should be taken regularly.”
If prescription medication is being carried, the original prescription must also be attached. Because it can be proven that they were obtained legally. It is also helpful, even mandatory, to take your vaccination card with you.
“Many diseases, such as malaria or dengue fever, are transmitted by mosquitoes,” says Blarer. “In the south, in subtropical to tropical countries, a good mosquito repellent is essential.” If you go to malaria areas, it is imperative that you take anti-malarial medication with you and even preventively.
What drugs should you pay attention to abroad?
Not every drug approved in Switzerland is also legal abroad. “Before traveling with narcotics outside the Schengen area, we recommend asking the embassy of the country you are traveling to about the regulations in force,” says Blarer.
In the Schengen area you should be careful with drugs containing narcotics: you need a certificate. It’s not just about strong opioids like methadone or morphine, but also about some powerful sleeping pills and psychotropic drugs. The certificate can be issued by a pharmacy or practice in Switzerland.
However, export is allowed for personal use only for 30 days. For longer trips abroad, a doctor must be visited in the country of residence. This means that the drug can be purchased locally with a new prescription.
How would you like to go back to Switzerland?
When you return home, the same rules apply as when you leave: No more than monthly needs can be imported. It is calculated according to the dose in the 30 days instructions for use. However, this only applies to personal use: “The importation of drugs for commercial purposes is prohibited to private individuals,” says Blarer.
Source :Blick
I’m Tim David and I work as an author for 24 Instant News, covering the Market section. With a Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism, my mission is to provide accurate, timely and insightful news coverage that helps our readers stay informed about the latest trends in the market. My writing style is focused on making complex economic topics easy to understand for everyone.
