The Tablet Tin and the Trusted Chemist: Staying Well on an India Trip in 2026

Health admin is the quietest part of an India trip. Nobody posts a photo of their repeat prescription, but the tablet tin, the doctor’s letter and the backup copy of your medical list can matter more than another pair of sandals. In 2026, the sensible approach is not alarmism. It is a bit of boring preparation in Britain so that India feels easier once you land.

This is not medical advice, and it is not a substitute for your GP or a travel clinic. Think of it as a practical map for the invisible backpack: the prescriptions, paperwork and pharmacy know-how that British-Indian families often piece together from relatives, WhatsApp groups and experience.

Start with the boring bit: your repeat prescription

Begin eight to twelve weeks before you fly. Book a GP review if you are due one, and ask about a travel clinic appointment if you need jabs, malaria advice or a letter for controlled medicines. Do not leave it to the final week, when the surgery is fully booked and your pharmacy is waiting for a delivery.

Ask for enough medicine for the whole trip, plus a buffer for delays. Keep medicines in their original packaging with the pharmacy label intact. A Sunday-to-Sunday pill organiser is fine for daily use, but customs officers and clinicians need to see the labelled boxes. Carry a copy of your repeat prescription and a printed list of everything you take.

If your GP cannot issue the full amount, ask what the options are. A private prescription or travel clinic may be able to help. The key is to sort it early rather than improvising at the airport.

What the doctor’s letter should actually say

A good letter is more than a line saying ‘patient takes medication’. It should include your full name, date of birth and address, plus the names and doses of your medicines. Ask for generic names as well as brand names, because Indian pharmacists may work with different labels. The letter should state how often you take each medicine, the quantity you are carrying, and whether any medicine is a controlled drug.

It should also mention allergies, relevant diagnoses, and any medical devices or needles you carry. If you use insulin, injections or a glucose monitor, include those details too. A signed and dated letter on GP practice paper, with a contact number, is far more useful than a screenshot. Keep a paper copy in your hand luggage and another in the cloud.

Packing the invisible backpack

Split your medicines between hand luggage and checked baggage if possible, so one lost bag does not take everything with it. Keep essential medicines in your cabin bag. If you need a cool pack for insulin or other temperature-sensitive medicine, check airline rules and ask your hotel or family host about fridge space.

Carry a simple medical summary: conditions, medicines, allergies, emergency contact and your GP’s details. Add your travel insurance policy number. For older relatives, this is especially useful. A one-page list in a plastic wallet can save a lot of confusion in a busy hospital reception.

How Indian pharmacies work

Indian pharmacies are often called chemists or medical stores. In cities you will find large chains, hospital pharmacies and independent shops. Staff are usually helpful, but the rules matter. Many antibiotics and stronger medicines are schedule H or H1 drugs and should require a prescription. Do not buy antibiotics casually just because they are easy to ask for. That is how resistance gets worse, and it is not a bargain.

For regular medicines, take your prescription and your doctor’s letter. Ask for a receipt and check the expiry date and batch number before you leave the counter. If the packaging looks different from what you use at home, ask the pharmacist to explain the generic name and strength. A different box is not automatically a problem, but a different dose definitely is.

Useful equivalents to recognise, not collect

This is not a shopping list. It is a short vocabulary lesson so you can have a sensible conversation with a pharmacist. Always confirm with a professional, especially if you take other medicines or have kidney, liver or heart conditions.

• Paracetamol is sold under names such as Crocin and Dolo. Dolo 650 contains 650mg of paracetamol, which is higher than the standard UK 500mg tablet, so check the label carefully and do not stack it with other paracetamol products.
• Ibuprofen is often sold as Brufen. As in the UK, it is not suitable for everyone.
• Oral rehydration salts are widely available as Electral and similar brands. They are useful for dehydration, but they are not a cure-all.
• Cetirizine is a common antihistamine and is usually easy to find under generic names.
• Betadine is a familiar antiseptic brand, and Odomos is a common mosquito repellent. Brand availability varies by region.

If you are unsure, ask the pharmacist to read the label with you. A good chemist will do that without drama.

Hospitals, insurance and the older-relative question

India has strong private hospital chains, including Apollo, Fortis, Max, Manipal and Narayana Health, though not every town has one nearby. The emergency number is 112. Your UK GHIC or EHIC is not valid in India, so travel insurance is essential. Keep your policy number and emergency assistance number on your phone and on paper.

If you are travelling with an older relative, know their medication list and recent medical history. Ask the hotel or host family where the nearest hospital with a 24-hour emergency department is. In smaller towns, facilities vary, so plan before you need them. That might mean choosing accommodation closer to a hospital or keeping a car contact ready.

Beyond the metros

In big cities, late-night pharmacies and hospital pharmacies are relatively easy to find. In villages and smaller towns, do not assume the same. Carry a basic kit: your regular medicines, a thermometer, plasters, oral rehydration salts and any prescribed emergency medicine. Keep hydrated, use mosquito precautions, and take stomach trouble seriously if it lasts.

Telemedicine is growing in India, but it works best when you have a clear medical summary and a working phone. Do not rely on it as your only plan.

A calm checklist

Before you zip the suitcase, check four things: enough medicine in labelled packaging, a signed doctor’s letter with generic names, a split between hand and checked luggage, and a digital plus paper copy of your medical list. Add your insurance details and the emergency number 112. Then put the tablet tin near the top of the bag and get on with the trip. The invisible backpack is lighter when you have packed it properly.