Travel advice

Travelling soon? Stop into Queen Street Pharmacy for all your pre-departure needs. From health care and medicine requirements to vaccines and passport photos, we can help make your trip as enjoyable as possible by being prepared.

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Passport photos

Queen Street Pharmacy offer a quick and convenient digital photo service that meets online and postal passport requirements.

Our team is trained to ensure your passport photos adhere to New Zealand Government regulations, and we offer a money back guarantee of acceptance by the Department of Internal Affairs.

Queen Street Pharmacy photos are:

  • E-gate biometric compliant

  • 100% compliant with the NZ Department of Internal Affairs standards

  • 100% compliant to the International Civil Aviation Organisation standards

General travel advice

Whether it’s a well-earned holiday or a business trip, we recommend consulting your Queen Street Pharmacist 6-8 weeks before travelling to discuss the following:

  • Any health concerns present in the country to which you’re travelling

  • Any vaccinations or treatment you may need before you leave

  • Medication you should take with you

  • Booking vaccinations

It’s important to check with your doctor that all your routine immunisations are up-to-date such as influenza, tetanus, measles, and polio vaccinations.

Prescription medications

There are different rules on the types of medications you can take into different countries.

If you need to take medications with you, check the regulations that apply by visiting the website of the embassy or high commission of the country you are visiting.

If you are travelling with large quantities of medication, ask you Pharmacist to give you a letter explaining why you are carrying the medication. You may also need one from your doctor.

Build a basic first aid kit

A well stocked first aid kit is a valuable resource when travelling, and should include:

  • Directions on how to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR)

  • Adhesive tape

  • Alcohol-free cleansing wipes

  • Antibacterial cream or ointment

  • Antihistamine tablets

  • Disposable gloves (at least 2 pairs)

  • Cotton buds

  • Crepe-rolled bandages of several widths

  • Eye pads (2)

  • Gauze swabs

  • Instant cold packs

  • Non-stick dressings and wound pads

  • Pain relief tablets

  • Plasters of various sizes

  • Plastic bags for the disposal of contaminated materials

  • Safety pins

  • Scissors and tweezers

  • Skin rash cream (eg hydrocortisone 0.5% cream)

  • Sterile saline and water

  • Digital thermometer

  • Triangular bandage

  • Wound closure strips

  • Anti-diarrhoea medicine

  • Insect repellent

  • Sunscreen

Tips for when you are away

  • If hygiene standards are questionable, only eat food that has been thoroughly cooked and only drink bottled or packaged cold drinks

  • If the water quality is doubtful, boil drinking water or use water purification tablets and avoid ice in your drinks

  • Take sensible precautions, for example, in areas where there is a malaria risk, cover yourself well and use insect repellent

  • Carry medicines in your hand luggage in case your luggage is lost

  • Wear a medical alert bracelet if you have allergies or a chronic illness

  • If you are treated overseas for illness or injury, obtain a full written medical report for your insurer or for ACC

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