Translating Prescriptions for Foreign Pharmacies: Requirements by Country

A pharmacy in Munich, five people in line, and the pharmacist looks at your prescription from a Ukrainian doctor and says: “Tut mir leid, das kann ich nicht annehmen.” A prescription for the blood pressure medication you’ve been taking daily for three years - but here it’s worthless. It’s written in Cyrillic, there’s no INN name for the active ingredient, and not a single stamp that Germany would recognize. Sound familiar? Let’s figure out how to prepare your prescription so a foreign pharmacy actually accepts it and you don’t end up without your meds in a country where you don’t speak the language.

Why a foreign pharmacy might refuse your prescription¶

The first and most common reason is simple: the pharmacist can’t read it. A prescription in Cyrillic at a German, Spanish, or Japanese pharmacy is just a piece of paper with unfamiliar symbols. But even if the language isn’t the problem, there are other reasons for refusal.

Pharmacists are legally required to verify that a prescription was written by a licensed doctor. If there’s no registration number, no clinic stamp, or no signature - the pharmacy can’t dispense the medication. As the European Commission states:

A prescription from a doctor in one EU country is valid in all other EU countries - as long as it contains certain information.

So even within the EU, prescriptions need to meet specific criteria. If yours comes from a non-EU country like Ukraine - the requirements are even stricter.

Here’s why pharmacies refuse foreign prescriptions:

• Language - written in a language the pharmacist doesn’t understand
• No INN - only a brand name that may not exist in the destination country
• Missing doctor details - no registration number, specialty, or contact information
• Controlled substances - psychotropic and narcotic medications have separate rules, and a regular prescription won’t work
• Expiration - most countries consider prescriptions valid for 30-90 days, and an expired one won’t be accepted

Tip: before traveling, ask your doctor to write the prescription using the INN (International Nonproprietary Name) of the active ingredient in Latin script. This dramatically increases your chances of getting it filled abroad.

What is INN and why it saves the day¶

INN (International Nonproprietary Name) is the standardized name for a drug’s active ingredient, assigned by the WHO. Think of it as the drug’s “real name” - the same worldwide - unlike brand names, which every pharmaceutical company invents on its own.

A quick example: you take “Lorista” in Ukraine. In Germany, that drug doesn’t exist. But the active ingredient - losartan - is everywhere. If your prescription says “losartan 50 mg,” a pharmacist in any country will know what you need.

Here’s why this matters:

Brand name (Ukraine)	INN (international)	German equivalent	US equivalent
Lorista	Losartan	Lorzaar	Cozaar
Enap	Enalapril	Xanef	Vasotec
Diakarb	Acetazolamide	Diamox	Diamox
Cardiomagnil	Acetylsalicylic acid	Aspirin Cardio	Bayer Aspirin
Corvalol	-	Doesn’t exist	Doesn’t exist

Notice the last row: Corvalol contains phenobarbital, which many countries classify as a controlled substance. Bringing it into the EU or the US without a special permit is a potential legal violation.

Under EU Directive 2012/52, cross-border prescriptions within the EU should use INN names rather than brand names. The exception is biological medicines (insulin, vaccines), where the brand name is required because different manufacturers may produce slightly different effects.

Tip: Pillintrip.com lets you look up drug equivalents by country. Enter your medication’s name and get the matching products in your destination country.

Prescription translation requirements by country¶

Every country has its own rules for foreign prescriptions. Some accept a prescription in English, others won’t look at it without a sworn translation and notarization.

Germany¶

Germany is one of the strictest countries when it comes to foreign prescriptions. According to Internationale Ludwigs-Apotheke in Munich - one of the few pharmacies specializing in foreign prescriptions:

Prescriptions from abroad can generally be redeemed in Germany, provided they meet certain requirements.

What you need:

• Prescription must be in Latin script or translated by a sworn translator (beeidigter Übersetzer)
• INN name of the active ingredient is mandatory
• Full doctor details: name, specialty, registration number, address, contact
• Dosage, form (tablets, solution), quantity
• For prescription-only medications (verschreibungspflichtig) - the pharmacy may require confirmation from a local doctor

For controlled substances (Betäubungsmittel) - only with a BfArM certificate or Schengen certificate.

A certified translation of a prescription in Germany costs 25-50 euros per document.

United States¶

The US is the toughest case. As the FDA states:

In most circumstances, it is illegal for individuals to import drugs into the U.S.

US pharmacies cannot fill foreign prescriptions. Period. Even a translated and certified prescription from Ukraine or Germany won’t work - you need a prescription from a US-licensed physician.

What to do:

1. Bring a translated medical summary and a list of your medications with INN names
2. See a local doctor (urgent care or telemedicine works)
3. The doctor will write a US prescription based on your documentation
4. Take that prescription to the pharmacy

Tip: if you’re visiting the US short-term, bring enough medication for your entire stay - the CDC recommends keeping medications in their original labeled containers.

France¶

France accepts prescriptions from other EU countries. For prescriptions from outside the EU (including Ukraine), you’ll need a sworn translation (traduction assermentée). As CLEISS explains:

Prescriptions issued by a doctor established in another EU/EEA member state can be accepted by French pharmacies if they contain the required information.

For non-European prescriptions:

• Translation into French by a sworn translator (traducteur assermenté)
• INN name of the active ingredient
• Or - visit a local doctor who’ll write a French prescription (ordonnance)

Pro tip: in France, Spain, and Italy, the most reliable path is booking an appointment with a local GP (médecin généraliste), showing your translated prescription, and getting a local ordonnance. It costs 25-50 euros per visit but guarantees you’ll get your medication.

Poland¶

For Ukrainians in Poland, things are relatively straightforward. According to VisitUkraine, you can bring up to 5 smallest packages of each medication without a prescription. For larger quantities or prescription drugs:

• A Ukrainian prescription needs to be confirmed by a Polish doctor
• Electronic prescriptions (e-recepta) in Poland are already integrated with MyHealth@EU
• Translating the prescription into Polish is recommended but not always mandatory if you have the INN name in Latin script

Many Polish pharmacists understand Ukrainian, but it’s not something to rely on - have a translation ready.

United Kingdom¶

After Brexit, the UK doesn’t automatically recognize EU prescriptions. You need a prescription from a UK-registered doctor (GMC - General Medical Council). However:

• You can book an appointment with a GP or use a walk-in centre
• Show a translated list of your medications with INN names
• The doctor will write a UK prescription

Cost: free for registered NHS patients. For unregistered or private patients - £50-100.

Turkey¶

Turkey doesn’t recognize foreign prescriptions. You need a prescription from a Turkish doctor. But:

• Many medications that require a prescription in the EU are sold over the counter in Turkey
• Pharmacists often help find an equivalent by INN name
• For controlled substances - only with a Turkish prescription

Summary table¶

Country	Foreign prescription	Translation	INN required	Controlled substances
Germany	EU - yes, others - limited	Sworn (beeidigt)	Yes	Schengen certificate
France	EU - yes, others - no	Sworn (assermenté)	Recommended	Local prescription
Poland	EU - yes, UA - via doctor	Recommended	Recommended	Local prescription
UK	No (post-Brexit)	English for doctor	Yes	UK prescription only
USA	No	English for doctor	Yes	US prescription only
Turkey	No	Not needed (see a doctor)	Recommended	Turkish prescription
Austria	EU - yes	Sworn	Yes	Schengen certificate
Italy	EU - yes	Sworn (giurata)	Recommended	Local prescription

Controlled substances: a whole different level¶

If you’re taking sleeping pills, antidepressants, opioid painkillers, anti-epileptic drugs, or other controlled substances - the rules get much tighter.

Schengen certificate (Article 75 of the Schengen Agreement)¶

Traveling with controlled substances between Schengen countries requires a special certificate. As BfArM explains:

Travellers may carry narcotics prescribed by a doctor for up to 30 days within Schengen states if they have a certificate pursuant to Article 75 of the Schengen Agreement.

How to get one:

1. Your doctor writes a prescription for the controlled medication
2. A special form is filled out (form available on BfArM’s website)
3. The form is certified by the health authority in your departure country
4. The certificate is valid for a maximum of 30 days
5. Each controlled substance needs a separate certificate

For Ukrainians, this means getting a certified certificate before traveling to the Schengen area. The process in Ukraine isn’t always smooth - check with the Ministry of Health or your regional health department.

Traveling outside the Schengen area¶

For trips to non-Schengen countries (USA, UK, Turkey, UAE), the INCB recommends:

• Check the specific country’s rules on the INCB website or through the embassy
• Carry the original prescription plus a translation
• Bring medication for the trip duration only (usually no more than 30-90 days)
• Keep medications in their original labeled packaging

Warning: some medications that are perfectly normal in Ukraine are banned in other countries. For example:

Medication	Ukraine	Germany	UAE	Japan
Corvalol (phenobarbital)	OTC	Prescription	Banned	Banned
Codeine-containing	Prescription	Strictly controlled	Banned	Banned
Tramadol	Prescription	Prescription	Allowed with prescription	Banned
Melatonin	OTC	Prescription	OTC	OTC

One client told us how his mother flew from Kyiv to Dubai and packed some Corvalol “just in case.” UAE customs detained her for several hours because phenobarbital is classified as a controlled substance. She had to surrender the entire bottle and sign a report. It could have ended worse - the UAE has strict penalties for importing banned substances.

How to properly prepare your prescription for translation¶

For a translated prescription to be accepted abroad, it needs to contain specific information. Here’s a checklist:

What your prescription must include¶

1. Patient details - full name in Latin script (as in your passport), date of birth
2. Doctor details - full name, specialty, registration number, clinic address, direct contact (phone or email)
3. Medication name - INN (International Nonproprietary Name) in Latin script + brand name in brackets
4. Dosage - exact dosage in milligrams, micrograms, or other units
5. Form - tablets, capsules, solution, ointment
6. Quantity - number of packages or individual doses
7. Dosing schedule - frequency, with/without food, course duration
8. Date of issue - in DD.MM.YYYY format
9. Signature and stamp - from the doctor and medical facility

Translation format¶

The translation should be:

• In the destination country’s language (or English as a minimum)
• Preserving the original structure
• Including the INN name in Latin script, even if the original only has the brand name
• For Germany, France, Italy - from a sworn/certified translator
• For the US, UK - certified translation with the translator’s signature

It’s also worth preparing a doctor’s letter that explains: - The diagnosis (in English or the destination country’s language) - Why the patient takes this medication - How long they’ve been taking it - Whether it can be substituted with an equivalent

This letter isn’t a legal requirement in most countries, but it makes things much easier for a local doctor who’ll be rewriting the prescription.

How much does prescription translation cost?¶

A prescription is usually 1 page, so translation is relatively affordable. But the price depends on the type of certification and language pair.

Service	Ukraine	Germany	Online services
Standard prescription translation	200-400 UAH (~$5-10)	-	$15-25
Notarized translation	400-800 UAH (~$10-20)	-	-
Sworn translation (beeidigt)	-	€25-50	-
Certified translation	-	-	$20-35
Translation + doctor’s letter	500-1200 UAH (~$12-30)	€40-80	$30-50

Turnaround times:

• Standard - 1-2 business days
• Rush - 2-4 hours (+50-100% surcharge)
• AI translation via ChatsControl - minutes, but medical terms need human review

Tip: if you travel regularly and take the same medications, translate your prescription once and save it to the cloud (Google Drive, iCloud). The prescription gets renewed, but the base translation stays the same.

Electronic prescriptions: MyHealth@EU and the future¶

Good news: the EU is actively rolling out MyHealth@EU, which allows electronic prescriptions to work across borders.

Here’s how it works: your doctor issues an e-prescription in their country, it enters a secure system, and a pharmacist in another EU country sees it on their screen - no paper, no translation needed.

As of 2026, the following countries are live: Estonia, Finland, Croatia, Portugal, Poland, Czech Republic, Greece, France, Ireland, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Latvia, and Malta. Austria, Cyprus, Denmark, Hungary, Italy, Norway, Romania, Sweden, Slovenia, and Slovakia are joining in 2025-2026.

For Ukrainians, this doesn’t work yet - Ukraine isn’t an EU member, so e-prescriptions from Ukraine’s eHealth system aren’t integrated with MyHealth@EU. But if you have a doctor in an EU country (for example, you’re registered in Poland), their e-prescription may work in other participating countries.

The Pacjent.gov.pl portal already has information in Ukrainian about cross-border e-prescriptions in Poland.

Common prescription translation mistakes¶

From years of working with medical translations, here are the top mistakes that can cost you your health or your money.

1. Translating the brand name instead of INN¶

The most common mistake. A translator writes “Lorista” instead of “Losartan” - and the pharmacist in Germany can’t find that drug in their system. Always include the INN in Latin script.

2. Incorrect dosage translation¶

“1 tablet 2 times a day” can turn into “2 tablets once daily” - that’s a double dose in one sitting instead of split doses. As Consumer Med Safety warns:

Translation errors on prescription labels are a significant source of medication errors, especially for patients with limited English proficiency.

3. Ignoring controlled substance status¶

Translating a tramadol prescription without noting that it’s a controlled substance and without the proper certificate is a direct path to customs problems.

4. Using Google Translate¶

Machine translation of medical terms is risky. “Captopril under the tongue” is technically correct, but “sublingual administration” sounds more professional and is clearer for a pharmacist. And “heart drops” (a literal translation of a common CIS medication term) means nothing to a foreign doctor.

5. Expired prescription¶

Most countries consider prescriptions valid for 30-90 days. If you translated a prescription that was issued a year ago - it may simply be invalid.

Step-by-step guide: from prescription to pharmacy abroad¶

Here’s how to prepare so you get your medication without unnecessary stress:

2-4 weeks before your trip:

1. Make a list of all your medications with INN names and dosages
2. Check the INCB website to see if your medications are allowed in your destination country
3. Ask your doctor for a new prescription (no older than 30 days) with INN names in Latin script
4. Order a translation of your prescription and doctor’s letter
5. For controlled substances - get a Schengen certificate or the relevant permit

1 week before your trip:

6. Verify that the translation is ready and contains all required details
7. Make copies of all documents (paper + digital)
8. Pack medications in their original packaging in your carry-on (not checked luggage!)

Once you’re there:

9. If the pharmacy refuses - don’t argue, ask where the nearest doctor or urgent care is
10. Show the doctor your translated prescription and letter - they’ll write a local prescription
11. Take the local prescription to the pharmacy - now it’ll work

As the CDC recommends: always bring enough medication for your entire trip plus extra in case of delays.

FAQ¶

Can I just run my prescription through Google Translate and show it at the pharmacy?¶

Technically you can try, but your chances are slim. Pharmacists in most countries are required to verify prescription validity, and a Google Translate printout has zero legal standing. For over-the-counter medications, this might work - just show the INN name and the pharmacist will find an equivalent. But for prescription drugs, you need either a certified translation or a local prescription from a doctor.

How much medication can I bring abroad without issues?¶

Generally, you’re allowed to carry a supply for the duration of your trip - 30 to 90 days, depending on the country. Medications must be in their original labeled packaging. For Poland, up to 5 smallest packages of each medication. For controlled substances, limits are tighter - usually up to 30 days. If you need more, check the requirements through your destination country’s embassy.

Will my prescription from Ukraine be recognized in the EU?¶

Ukraine isn’t an EU member, so there’s no automatic recognition under Directive 2012/52. However, a translated prescription with INN names can help a local doctor quickly write a new one. Some pharmacies (especially in border areas of Poland, Romania, Hungary) may accommodate you and dispense an OTC equivalent based on a Ukrainian prescription - but that’s the exception, not the rule.

Where can I find equivalents for Ukrainian medications abroad?¶

The most convenient tool is Pillintrip.com, where you can search for equivalents by country. A simple Google search for the INN name also works: try “losartan 50mg Germany.” At the pharmacy, you can show the INN name on your phone - the pharmacist will understand. Another option is asking your doctor in Ukraine to prepare a list of equivalents for your specific destination country in advance.

What if I run out of medication abroad and don’t have a prescription?¶

Your fastest option is urgent care or a walk-in clinic. In Germany, that’s Bereitschaftsarzt (call 116117), in France - SOS Médecins, in the UK - NHS walk-in centre. A visit costs 25-100 €/£, and the doctor will write a local prescription. If you have even an empty medication box with the name and dosage - that speeds things up significantly. You can also use telemedicine: Doctolib (France, Germany), Babylon Health (UK), or Teladoc (USA) - they work for foreigners.