Japan Travel Requirements for Letrozole

Hi Simba.

I’m Dylan and I work in the Community Team here at Macmillan. Here in the Community team, we look after Macmillan’s Online Community and help our members find support.

Thank you for reaching out to our experts with your question. We have moved your question to our Ask a Nurse forum as they will be able to give you the best answer to your question. 

Our Ask a Nurse session is open Monday – Friday.  As it is a bank holiday today, they will reopen tomorrow and aim to reply to you within 1-3 days.

If you would like to speak to a nurse on a call, you can contact our Support Line today. Our support team are available 7 days a week, 8am-8pm on freephone 0808 808 00 00, email or live webchat. You can speak to a nurse on this line. 

I hope you get the assistance you need with your question and that you have a great time in Japan. 

Best wishes,
Dyan

Dear Simba00 

Thanks for getting in touch with us on our Online Community, my name is Sue and I’m one of the information nurses on the Support Line.

I can see you have also joined the Breast Cancer and Cancer Chat forums, which I hope you are finding helpful.

It’s understandable you are seeking support and advice regarding taking your Letrozole medication abroad to Japan. Before travelling abroad with prescribed medication from the UK it’s really important to allow enough time beforehand to check out the specific rules and regulations for each country, as these can differ from the UK.

We would also encourage firstly discussing your travel plans with your hospital consultant or GP, a number of weeks before planning to travel. It’s important that you have enough prescribed medication, and they will also be able to provide you with a doctor’s letter to take with you, which explains more about the drug and why you are taking it. It’s also a good idea to take a copy of your prescription with you alongside the letter to help avoid problems at customs and if medical help is needed whilst abroad.

Some countries restrict or limit the drugs which can be taken in or out of the country, so it’s important to check with the country’s embassy or high commission. If travelling for more than 3 months, or carrying more than 3 month’s supply of medication a personal medicines licence may also be needed. Your hospital consultant or GP will be able to discuss this further with you.

Japan has strict rules about the importation of medicines from abroad which need to be considered. The information here offers general advice about this.

A Yunyu Kakunin-sho (special certificate of import) is needed if requiring more than a month’s supply of a prescribed drug. It’s important to apply for this before travel as it may be required at customs.

Because the rules for bringing medication for personal use in Japan are made by the Japanese Government, we would advise contacting the Ministry of Health, Labour, and Welfare of Japan directly for specific guidance about your medication.

Sending best wishes to you and your future travel plans.

I hope this information is helpful. If you have any further questions, please get in touch by email, webchat or phone. The Macmillan Support Line offers practical, clinical, financial, and emotional support. You can call us free from landlines and from most mobile phone networks* on 0808 808 00 00, 7 days a week, 8am – 8pm.

Ref: KG/SMG

Sue -Cancer Information Nurse Specialist 

Hello Sue,

Thanks for your reply. The information above is incredibly helpful. Nothing has been booked as I wanted to inquire before booking. I will speak to my GP and consultant. 

Thanks again

Simba