November 2002 / Updated September 2008 Page 1 of 7

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1 Information 10 Parkway London NW1 7AA Tel Fax Website COUNTRY GUIDE November 2002 / Updated September 2008 Page 1 of 7 People with diabetes can still bring insulin and non insulin injections with them onto aircraft despite new security restrictions introduced in recent years. Do please bear in mind that the situation has been subject to change, so we would recommend that you contact your airline directly or the Department for Transport on (Monday to Friday, 9am to 5.30pm) for the latest information. Alternatively you can visit their website at A letter from your doctor explaining your need to carry syringes/injection devices and insulin should be presented to the airline staff. Some GPs will charge for writing a letter, so if you travel frequently it would be a good idea to ask your doctor to phrase the letter in such a way that it can be used more than once. Liquid items are only permitted in hand luggage if they are in containers of less than 100ml. There are a few exceptions; essential medicines for the period of the trip may be permitted in larger quantities above the current 100ml limit, but will be subject to authentication. Passengers are also permitted to carry essential medical equipment through airport security, though all medication and equipment must be supported by documentation from a relevant qualified medical professional. Insulin and non insulin injections should be carried as hand luggage and not be put into the plane s hold as low temperatures can damage it. Some airlines may request that once on board medication be handed over for storage during the flight. Those travelling may wish to contact their airline in advance for the most up-to-date information on this issue. The charity for people with diabetes Diabetes UK is the operating name of the British Diabetic Association Company limited by guarantee Registered office: 10 Parkway, London NW1 7AA Registered in England no Registered charity no

2 COUNTRY GUIDE Page 2 of 7 Q. Will I need to have any vaccinations to travel to? A. You will need to discuss this with your GP. The Department of Health gives information on the recommended vaccinations for different countries, together with general advice on health risks, prevention and treatment. They also produce a leaflet, Access to healthcare abroad, which is available directly from the Department of Health or in your local Post Office. (More information can be found at or by calling ). Ask your doctor or diabetes nurse for advice on how to manage your diabetes should you have a reaction to a vaccine. Q. Do I have to carry identification when taking my insulin and syringes or tablets through customs? A. You should carry a letter from your doctor stating that you have diabetes. It is also a good idea to carry the prescription for any medication and syringes you are carrying. Q. What medical services will be available to me as a UK citizen in? A. You will not be entitled to any free services as a UK citizen. To secure even basic treatment you are strongly advised to take out comprehensive medical insurance. Q. Will I be able to obtain my medication whilst abroad in case of an emergency? A. If you treat your diabetes with insulin then you should contact your insulin manufacturer before the trip to see if your insulin is supplied in. It is also worth checking that it is sold under the same name. Contact details are given below for the insulin manufacturers in the UK. CP Pharmaceuticals Ash Road North Wrexham Industrial Estate Wrexham LL13 9UF Telephone: Eli Lilly and Company Limited Lilly House Priestly Road Basingstoke Hampshire RG24 9NL Telephone: Novo Nordisk Pharmaceuticals Limited Aventis Pharma Limited Novo Nordisk House Aventis House Broadfield Park 50 Kings Hill Avenue Brighton Road Kings Hill Pease Pottage West Malling Crawley Kent ME19 4AH West Sussex RH11 9RT Telephone: Telephone:

3 COUNTRY GUIDE Page 3 of 7 If you treat your diabetes with tablets, then you should contact the manufacturers of your tablets to see whether or not they are available in and under what name. Q. How will the different time zone affect my medication/control? In the time zone varies across the country. For information about the time zone for the area you will be visiting please see; Journeys across time zones may mean that you need to adjust your insulin. All international flights eastwards or westwards involve crossing time zones and days will be shortened or lengthened. There is no need to be alarmed about this. Many people cross time zones regularly without any serious problems. Remember that 'running a bit high' for up to 24 hours is most unlikely to cause you any harm. When travelling east to west, the day is lengthened and some clinics will advise you to take an extra meal and to cover it with extra insulin. When travelling west to east, the day is shortened and the amount of insulin and carbohydrate may need to be reduced. In general, if your time zone change is less than four hours, you will not need to make major changes to your injections. If your diabetes is treated with tablets, very occasionally it may be necessary to take an extra dose to cover a longer day or you may need to leave out one dose of tablets on a short day. However you treat your diabetes, it is important to address any adjustments you need to make to your treatment beforehand with your diabetes care team. When discussing this, make sure that you have your flight details to hand, including your departure time, the length of the flight, and the local time of arrival. Q. Which syringes are used in? A. U100, U50, U30 Q. Will I be able to obtain blood/urine-testing equipment in? A. Yes Q. How is blood glucose measured in? A. Blood glucose levels are measured in mg/dl in. You may find the following conversion table helpful if you need to seek medical help.

4 COUNTRY GUIDE Page 4 of 7 mmol/l mg/dl mmol/l mg/dl mmol/l mg/dl Q. What is the main language spoken in? A. Portuguese Q. What is the emergency services telephone number? A. 911 Q. Will I need an International Driving Licence when driving in? A. No Q. If I want to hire a vehicle during my visit, will I face any form of discrimination? A. No Q. What are the staple starchy foods I can expect in? A. Manioc (cassava), beans, rice, potatoes, corn. Q. What sugar-free drinks are available? A. Diet Sprite, Diet Fanta, Diet Coca Cola, Diet Pepsi, Diet Guaraná, Tonica etc. Q. Does have a diabetes association that I might be able to contact during my visit? A. Yes, there are three. Contact details are: Associação de Diabetes Juvenil ADJ Juvenile Diabetes Association Rue Padre Antonio Tomas, 213 CEP Sao Paulo Tel

5 COUNTRY GUIDE Page 5 of 7 Fax [email protected] Website Federação Nacional de Associações e Entitades de Diabetes FENAD Federation of National Diabetes Entities Rua Eça de Queiróz 198 Vila Mariana CEP São Paulo Tel Fax [email protected] Website Sociedade Brasileira de Diabetes SBD ian Diabetes Society Rua Afonso Brás 579, salas 72/74 Vila Nova Conceição São Paulo - SP Tel Fax [email protected] Website TRANSLATIONS - Portuguese 1. Is there anyone who can speak English? Há alguém que fale inglês? 2. I have / he has / she has diabetes. Eu tenho / ele tem / ela tem diabetes. 3. I / he / she need(s) to see a doctor urgently.

6 COUNTRY GUIDE Page 6 of 7 Eu / ele / ela preciso (a) ver um médico urgentemente. 4. Please give me the address of the nearest doctor / hospital. Por favor me dê o endereço do médico / hospital mais próximo. 5. This person is having a hypo / hypoglycaemic episode. Esta pessoa está tendo uma crise de hipoglicemia. 6.Is on tablet treatment. He / she takes... Está em tratamento por comprimidos. Ele / ela toma I have lost / broken my insulin / tablets / needles / pens / syringes / blood glucose monitor / lancets / blood glucose testing strips / Identification disc. Eu perdi / quebrei minha insulina meus comprimidos / minhas agulhas / canetas / seringas / meu medidor de glicose / minhas lancetas / minhas fitas de teste de glicose / meu disco de identificação de insulina. 8. Please give me a prescription for insulin / needles / syringes / tablets / blood glucose testing strips / lancets. Por favor me dê uma receita para: insulina / agulhas / seringas / comprimidos / fitas de teste de glicose / lancetas. 9. Where is the nearest pharmacy? Onde fica a farmácia mais próxima? 10. Have you any sugar free drinks? Você tem alguma bebida sem açúcar? 11. Do you have any artificial sweeteners? Você tem adoçante artificial? 12. Would it be possible to keep this ice pack in your freezer for keeping my medicines cool? É possível guardar esse pacote de gelo em seu freezer para manter meus remédios frios? 13. This is a blood glucose meter, which I need to monitor my diabetes.

7 COUNTRY GUIDE Page 7 of 7 Isto é um medidor de glicose do sangue que eu preciso para controlar meu diabetes. Diabetes UK If you would like further information on any aspect of diabetes, please contact: Diabetes UK Careline 10 Parkway, London NW1 7AA Telephone (operates a translation service) [email protected] Publications The Diabetes UK Catalogue describes our full range of books and leaflets, including Travel and diabetes (code: 8025). For a copy of this or the catalogue, please contact: Diabetes UK Distribution PO Box 1057, Bedford MK42 7XQ Telephone Insulin user s identity cards Diabetes UK insulin user s identity cards, which may help the cardholder verify his/her need to carry syringes and medication, are available from Diabetes UK Customer Services: Please note these cards do not hold any statutory status at present, and police or customs are not required by law to recognise the card and the information printed on it. Diabetes UK /1203/c Document ID 83