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Medical Matters
Before You Go
Q:
Is travel health insurance important?
A: Canadians who plan to travel outside Canada - even on a day trip to the United States - should
purchase the best supplemental medical insurance they can
afford to avoid incurring large expenses such as in the case of hospitalization or medical
treatment. A medical evacuation, for example, could run in excess of $50,000. Canadian
provincial medical insurance rarely covers the full cost and does not pay up front. For more
information on your provincial health plan, contact your
provincial health authority.
Q: I have a pacemaker. Will there be a problem whenever I go through airport metal detection screening?
A: Upon entering the screening area, you should notify the screening officers of any medical implants, artificial limbs or mobility aids that may be affected by the magnetic fields of the metal detection equipment. You should bring medical information with you that will verify your medical condition. Further information is available from the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority.
Check with the appropriate foreign government office accredited to Canada to inquire about country-specific requirements.
Q:
Where can I get information about diseases in a foreign country?
A: For information on diseases in foreign countries, consult the Public Health Agency of
Canada’s Travel Medicine Program.
Q:
Where can I find out if I need any special vaccinations before I leave?
A: For information on vaccinations and other preventive health measures for foreign travel,
consult the Public Health Agency of Canada’s Travel Medicine Program. Before travelling to any
destination, find out well in advance of your trip if you need any special vaccinations or
preventive medications for such illnesses as yellow fever, typhoid, meningitis, Japanese
encephalitis, hepatitis or malaria. For instance, a meningococcal vaccination is required for
pilgrims travelling to Mecca, Saudi Arabia, for the annual hajj. Please note that in certain
countries, an International Certificate of Vaccination for yellow fever is a legal requirement for
entry.
Note: You may need to start receiving your vaccination shots or taking medication six to eight weeks before you leave. Also, ensure that your routine immunizations – diphtheria, whooping cough (pertussis), tetanus, polio, measles, mumps and rubella – are up-to-date. Other immunization requirements for travel will vary according to your age, existing medical conditions, and the nature and duration of your trip.
Q:
Are there any special medical precautions for travel with children?
A: If you are travelling with infants or small children, you may need to arrange an alternative or
accelerated childhood immunization schedule for them. Talk to your pediatrician, family doctor
or travel medicine clinic. Also, consult the FAQs on Children and Travel.
Q:
Should I take prescription medications with me, and how should I pack
them?
A: Prescription medications may come under intense scrutiny by foreign officials. In some
countries, drugs that are legal and readily available in Canada are considered illegal or require a
prescription. It is always best to contact the
Foreign Government Offices Accredited to Canada of the country
you plan to visit to confirm the status of your medication.
When travelling with prescription or over-the-counter medication:
- Pack an extra supply of your medication in case you are away for longer than expected.
- Carry a copy of the original prescription, and ensure that both the generic and trade names
of the drug are included in case your medication is lost or stolen. A doctor's note
describing why you are taking the medication is also recommended.
- If you are taking a less common medication, check to ensure that it is legal and readily available in the country you intend to visit.
Your medications should be packed in the original, labelled container to avoid problems with customs officials. Do not try to save luggage space by combining medications into a single container.
Q:
Will travelling with syringes create problems with airline security and customs officers
abroad?
A: Carry a note or certificate from your doctor indicating that the syringes and medication are for
medical use. This should alleviate customs officials' concerns. As syringes may be difficult to
purchase abroad, take enough to last your entire trip. It is possible that you won't be allowed to
take syringes on a plane for security reasons. Contact the airline before departure to verify its
regulations concerning syringes in carry-on luggage and consult the Transport Canada Web site for further information on air travel.
During Your Stay
Returning to Canada
Q:
What should I do if I feel ill when I return to Canada?
A: See a doctor as soon as possible. Inform the doctor - without being asked - where you have
been. If you were ill while travelling, tell your doctor what your symptoms were and what
treatment you received.
Q:
I am returning to Canada with a prescription drug that is not available
in Canada. What should I do?
A: Health Canada allows you, as an individual, to import a three-month supply of a prescription
medicine. This medicine must be for your personal use or for an immediate family member. You
must personally bring the drug over the border in hospital or pharmacy dispensed packaging.
Don't forget to inform your own doctor about the prescribed treatment.
Q: I am returning to Canada with an over-the-counter drug that is not available in Canada. What should I do?
A: Generally, you may return to Canada with a three-month supply of over-the-counter drugs for your personal use or for an immediate family member.
Related Links |
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Health Canada Travel Medicine Program |
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| Last Updated:
2005-10-21 |
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