Help! I Forgot to Bring my Prescription Medication on Vacation

So you’ve arrived in Banff and realized your prescription meds are lounging at home. Classic travel plot twist.

Don’t panic: Gourlay’s may be able to help!

Steps for those travelling within Canada (fellow Canadians):

1. Pop into Gourlay’s Pharmacy: Don’t fret, within Canada most prescriptions can be transferred between pharmacies.

2. Bring your information: Bring a list of your medications and your home pharmacy information (including the name and phone number of your home pharmacy).

3. Ask to speak with our pharmacist: Explain that you forgot your medication at home. They will then take steps to provide you with a replacement.

Steps for those travelling from outside Canada:

1. Call Gourlay’s Pharmacy: In Canada, pharmacies can only legally accept prescriptions from Canadian prescribers. However, our prescribing pharmacists may be able to help by providing an emergency supply of medication, depending on the drug. Kindly note some exclusions do apply to what pharmacists can prescribe, including narcotic, controlled, and targeted substances.

2. Ask for a pharmacist: Speak with our pharmacist and explain that you forgot your medication at home. They will then assess if the medication is within a pharmacist's scope of practice. If so, they will book you an appointment.

3. Bring your information: If our pharmacist is able to prescribe what you need, bring a list of your medications to your appointment. Prescribing fees do apply.

4. Be prepared for a new prescription: In the event you need a medication filled that our pharmacists cannot prescribe, a local walk-in clinic or telehealth service can often write a prescription.

Practical tips for future travels:

1. Travel with a photocopy or photo of your prescription and the prescribing doctor’s contact information.

2. Know the generic name of your medication, and carry a list of allergies and medical conditions.

3. If your medication is controlled (narcotics, certain stimulants), the rules are stricter. Be ready to show ID and any proof of prior prescriptions, and expect a trip to a physician.