An urgent alert has been issued for thousands of people planning to travel abroad with weight loss treatments this summer. Simple mistakes could not only invalidate travel insurance but also render the medication ineffective or even unsafe.
Insurance Risks
When taking out travel insurance, you must declare any pre-existing conditions, including the use of weight loss injections like Wegovy or Mounjaro. Failing to do so could invalidate your policy, leaving you unable to claim if something goes wrong. This could result in bills worth thousands of pounds.
You should also check import restrictions for your destination and ensure you carry evidence of your prescription, whether in paper or digital form. Keep your medication in its original packaging. Insurers like Admiral typically do not cover GLP-1 injections bought from unofficial programmes or if a medical professional is not monitoring them. It is strongly advisable to call your insurer directly to confirm everything is properly documented.
Storage Mistakes
Putting weight loss jabs in checked luggage is a huge risk. The cargo hold undergoes extreme temperature and pressure changes that may alter the effectiveness of your medication or damage it. Freezing and thawing can make the injections unsafe. Always store your medication in a carry-on bag.
Essential liquid medicines are allowed through security even if over 100ml. Keep them separate in your bag, inform the Security Officer, and bring supporting documentation if possible. After security, ensure your medication stays in its original packaging. Contact your airline for specific queries about carry-on luggage and medication.
Temperature Control
Both Mounjaro and Wegovy must be stored according to the patient information leaflet. They can be kept in a refrigerator at 2°C to 8°C or at room temperature not exceeding 30°C for a maximum of 28-30 days. Any pen exposed to temperatures above 30°C or left unrefrigerated for more than 28 days (Wegovy) or 30 days (Mounjaro) should be discarded immediately, as it could be unsafe.
Patients are advised to contact their accommodation in advance to confirm refrigerator access and verify the appliance maintains an appropriate temperature. Since the jabs are administered once weekly, most patients will use each pen within the 30-day unrefrigerated window, unless travel is extended or a dose is missed.
