Kumail Remtulla
Pharmacist & Owner, Everest Whole Health Pharmacy and Everest Travel Clinic
Pharmacists help travellers prevent illness abroad with vaccines, medications and expert advice—so vacations are remembered for sunshine, not sickness.
Canadian trips abroad totalled 43.3 million in 2025 according to Statistics Canada—undaunted by airline disruptions, weather delays and accommodation mishaps—all in pursuit of sunshine, scenery and cultural immersion.
But while travellers may pack for paradise, many don’t pack for prevention.
As many as 43 per cent to 79 per cent of travelers to low- and middle-income countries become ill during or after travel based on the US CDC.
One of the most common travel-related illnesses? Diarrhea. It’s unpleasant, inconvenient and, sometimes, dangerous. In many cases, it’s also preventable with a little pre-planning that starts at your local pharmacy.
Your first port of call: the pharmacy
“Diarrhea during travel is most often caused by ingesting food that may have been improperly prepared or handled in an unsanitary facility,” explains pharmacist owner Kumail Remtulla of Everest Whole Health Pharmacy and Everest Travel Clinic.
“Symptoms include three or more loose bowel movements accompanied by cramping, nausea, vomiting and fever.”
In many tropical and developing regions — including parts of South America, the Caribbean, Africa and Southeast Asia — the culprit is often a strain of bacteria known as Enterotoxigenic E. coli (LT-ETEC).
Fortunately, diarrhea during travel is mostly avoidable.
“There is an oral vaccine called DUKORAL® that helps protect against LT-ETEC and cholera,” says Remtulla. “It’s available at pharmacies and comes as a sachet and small vial that are mixed with water—no needle required.”
Remtulla also recommends speaking in advance with your pharmacist about carrying a standby antibiotic, such as azithromycin or ciprofloxacin, in case severe symptoms develop while abroad.
Your pharmacist is your best travel partner
Pharmacists have become essential allies for travellers as Canada’s healthcare system continues to evolve.
“Pharmacists are now able to assess and treat many common ailments, including skin rash, pink eye, heartburn, allergies and urinary tract infections,” says Remtulla. “This helps patients access care and medications more quickly.”
They also administer vaccinations and provide guidance on preventing other travel-related illnesses such as Hepatitis A and B, chikungunya, yellow fever, Japanese encephalitis, malaria and rabies. Importantly, pharmacists can assess appropriate treatments based on a patient’s medical history and current medications and provide pre-travel counseling, including answering travel medicine questions before departure.
Smart habits for sunny destinations
In addition to vaccination and preventive medication, Remtulla offers this advice for travellers heading to warmer destinations:
- Boil it, cook it, peel it—or forget it.
- Use insect repellent to protect against mosquito-borne illnesses.
- Ask how food is prepared before ordering, particularly in high-risk regions.
With a little foresight—and a conversation at your pharmacy counter—your next getaway can be remembered for its sunsets and scenery, not a week spent confined to your hotel bathroom.
After all, the only thing you should be running toward on vacation is the ocean.
Before you travel (4 to 6 weeks), make a trip to your pharmacist or travel health clinic a part of your pre-departure plans to ensure sufficient time for vaccinations, preventive medications, and risk-reduction planning.
To learn more, visit www.dukoralcanada.com.
