Know the rules for travelling with PBS medicine this Christmas
Download Know the rules for travelling with PBS medicine this Christmas [PDF, 92Kb]
Tuesday 7 December 2010
Medicare Australia and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) are reminding Christmas travellers to take precautions when carrying Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) medicines overseas or risk fines and prosecution.
“It is illegal to take or send PBS medicine overseas unless it is for personal use by you or someone travelling with you such as your child,” Human Services Portfolio General Manager Hank Jongen said today.
“You can avoid unnecessary disruptions to your travel by organising your medicine before you go.
“When packing include a letter from your doctor detailing your medicine, dosages and stating that the medicine is for your personal use. Take only enough medicine to cover the length of your trip and leave the medicine in its original packaging so it can be easily identified.”
Head of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade’s Consular area, James Batley, reminded travellers to visit the Smartraveller website in planning their Christmas travel.
“The Smartraveller website should be your first stop for up-to-date travel advice and practical health information”, he said.
“Before you go read the travel advice and check with the embassies of the countries you’re visiting to make sure your medicine is legal there.”
The Australian Government is committed to minimising the illegal exportation of PBS medicine.
When people illegally export PBS medicine overseas to sell or give away they are undermining the healthcare system that supports all Australians. Abuse of the PBS means that Australian taxpayers end up paying more and the viability of the scheme could be threatened.
Medicare Australia, Australia Post and the Australian Customs and Border Protection Service work together to prevent the illegal exporting of PBS medicine.
There have been eight joint operations since 2007 at international airports and mail exchanges to identify and seize medicine being illegally exported.
During an operation earlier this year, eight PBS items were detained where it was not clear that it was for personal use.
For more information about travelling with PBS medicine call 1800 500 147 or visit www.medicareaustralia.gov.au.
Some documents on this page may require the free Adobe PDF reader.
Last updated: 8 December, 2010