Getting ready for a holiday is fun — new places, new experiences, and new cultures bring excitement. However, for those travelling to places where malaria is a concern, there is one important step that must be taken. Malaria is a serious disease and must be avoided.
For many people, the question is — which anti malaria tablets do I need and where can I get them safely?
This is where pharmacists in the UK can help. Whether you use your local chemist or have a remote consultation, pharmacists help you pick the right chemoprophylaxis. All you have to do is request a consultation. In this post, we will discuss the services that help ensure that UK patients have anti-malaria tablets.
Why Malaria Prevention Matters for UK Travellers
With millions of people getting infected each year, and many dying, malaria continues to be one of the most pervasive, and deadly, infectious diseases in the world, mostly in the global south, specifically sub-Saharan Africa, parts of South America and Asia. Even one infected mosquito bite can pass the parasite Plasmodium, and thereby earn you a nasty case of the disease.
For UK travellers, the country of origin for most UK tourists, malaria has been completely cleared for decades. Therefore, there will be little to no natural immunity to the disease, making prevention crucial.
Travellers need to understand their risk and take the right preventative measures before they travel. And that’s where the pharmacist’s role comes into play.
Visiting a pharmacy in the UK before your trip means you will get efficient medication, and specialist advice will be given to you regarding when to take the medication, what the side effects might be, and what other forms of preventive medication might be needed.
How Pharmacies Help You Choose the Right Anti Malaria Tablets
Different anti-malaria tablets serve different purposes. What works best for you will ultimately come down to where you are travelling, how long you are staying, your personal medical history, and your preferences.
UK pharmacies offer specialised travel health services which allows you to streamline this process. Many offer travel health consultations, where pharmacists review your travel plans and recommend tailored options which may include:
Malarone (atovaquone/proguanil): This option is tolerated well and is perfect for short trips.
Doxycycline: This is the cheaper option, although it does come with the disadvantage of increased sun sensitivity.
Lariam (mefloquine): This option is suited for long travel, although it is not suited for everyone because of the side effects.
During your travel health consultations, pharmacists will take into account your medical history, existing prescriptions, and any allergies you may have. This means the option prescribed to you will be the most appropriate.
Many UK pharmacies can also issue anti-malaria tablets and prescriptions, which streamlines the process of getting your medication, which you may be able to have delivered to your door or picked up from the store. While NHS travel clinics will provide some service to eligible travellers, most travellers will find private pharmacies to be less restricted with service.
Benefits of Consulting a Pharmacist Before You Travel
When it comes to travel health, expert guidance can make all the difference. Here’s why getting advice from a pharmacist before your trip is so important:
Personalized Recommendations. Every traveller is different. A pharmacist will take your destination, how long you plan to go, and your medical history into consideration before recommending the appropriate travel medicines.
Understanding Instructions. Anti-malarial medication must be taken in a particular way, before, during and after travel. Pharmacists will make sure you understand the sequence and the schedule.
Anticipating and Managing Side Effects. Most travel health medicines will have mild and temporary side effects like nausea or insomnia. A pharmacist helps you anticipate and manage them effectively.
Safe Supply. A pharmacist will make sure the anti-malarial tablets you are prescribed are from legitimate MHRA-approved sources so you will never get counterfeit or substandard tablets.
Easy to Get Advice. Expert advice is always easy to get, whether you visit a community pharmacy or use an online consultation.
In short, pharmacists are the most accessible travel health service, giving you peace of mind to travel.
Where to Get Anti Malaria Tablets in the UK
There are safe and convenient ways for UK travellers to get their anti malaria tablets:
NHS Travel Clinics Depending on your area, they give malaria prevention guidance and issue prescriptions in some instances.
Private Pharmacies: Numerous independent and chain pharmacies provide consultations and anti malaria tablets on the same day.
Online Pharmacies: For travellers on the go, they provide prescriptions remotely. Make sure the pharmacy is registered with the MHRA and displays the GPhC logo.
Do not purchase anti malaria tablets from unverified overseas sites. There is a large risk of counterfeit tablets which may have dangerous or ineffective ingredients. There is a guarantee of expertise and authenticity when using a UK licensed pharmacy.
Travel Tips from UK Pharmacists for Staying Protected
It’s not just about medications – Pharmacists equip travellers with practical advice for total care. Here are some suggestions:
Start your tablets on time. Medications have to be taken 1-2 days, or even weeks, before travelling.
Continue your medications after you return. To ensure full protective coverage, you will have to complete the course regardless of your return home.
Combining with physical protection is critical. Use mosquito repellents, insecticide treated nets, and wear long sleeves in the evenings.
Watch for symptoms. Fever and chills, or any flu like symptoms, within a year of your return are serious and should be immediately checked. Malaria is a long delayed after travel syndrome.
Store tablets properly. During your tropical travels, and especially at your destination, they should be kept in the original container and avoided heat and moisture, which are big triggers.
Your pharmacist’s directions will save you the danger of contracting malaria, and allow you to concentrate on the pleasures of your travels, instead of your health worries.
In the UK, pharmacies are more than just places to get prescriptions filled; they are valuable partners in travel health. With their expertise, pharmacists provide consultations, and regulated access to medications, and help ensure that every traveller is meticulously prepared to stay healthy abroad.
From a business trip to Ghana, a safari in Kenya, and a backpacking tour in Southeast Asia, your local pharmacy will help you choose and use the right UK antimalarial medicines safely and effectively.
Visit your local UK pharmacy before you travel.
