Glastonbury has shared its official advice to anyone taking along prescribed medication to the festival
15:31, 16 Jun 2025Updated 15:58, 16 Jun 2025
Glastonbury Festival returns for 2025 this month(Image: Alys Tomlinson via Getty Images)
Glastonbury is fast approaching, and festival enthusiasts are busily preparing their essentials for the big event. The festival is set to make its comeback at Worthy Farm from 25 June, with massive crowds anticipated.
This year’s line-up boasts headliners Olivia Rodrigo, The 1975, and Neil Young, with Rod Stewart gracing the Legends slot on Sunday. The impressive line-up also features Charli XCX, RAYE, Fatboy Slim, Wet Leg, The Prodigy, Gracie Abrams, Doechii, The Libertines, Scissor Sisters, Biffy Clyro and more.
In the run-up to the festival, many will be debating what necessities to pack. For some, this will include prescription medication they regularly take and may require during the festival.
The Glastonbury organisers have shared official guidance on this matter. According to Glastonbury, it is “committed to maintaining the safety and wellbeing of all persons on site” and is “very aware that a proportion of the festival audience have a requirement to bring prescribed medicines onto site,” reports the Mirror.
As per the official website, Glastonbury’s general policy allows for prescription medicines to be brought onto the site through pedestrian gates. To ensure that “illicit or potentially dangerous substances” are not brought in, several measures are enforced.
Glastonbury Festival returns for 2025 this month(Image: Jim Dyson, Redfernsvia Getty Images)Rules for bringing prescribed medication to Glastonbury
Glastonbury has implemented a number of rules to ensure only prescribed medication is allowed on the festival site and has provided advice for festivalgoers on its official website. The organisers have advised visitors to:
- Ensure the medicine is in its original container, with the dispensary sticker and issued in the name of the ticket-holder i.e. DON’T peel the label off or carry someone else’s medication.
- Bring the official prescription counterfoil or a letter of explanation from a registered medical practitioner.
- Ensure the quantity carried is the minimal required for duration on site.
- NOT bring non-essential tablets such as vitamin supplements.
- Be prepared to be challenged at the Gate or in the festival but do not seek to conceal medication.
- Contact the Festival in advance if the medication is vital to health and wellbeing to ensure that you remain safe and well.
- Be aware that a pharmacy and prescription service is available on site.
According to the festival website, in some instances, safe storage of medication can be arranged through the onsite medical service (including temperature controlled storage). Visitors should contact help@glastonburyfestivals.co.uk in advance if this service is required.
A notice on the website states: “Glastonbury Festival reserves the right to refuse access to patrons carrying substances which cannot be confirmed as being bona fide prescribed medication. In such instances gate staff may require that medicines be surrendered at the gate or returned to a vehicle or similar. Glastonbury Festival will NOT offer a Receipt-and-Collect service.”
At each entry Gate, festivalgoers will find a designated security supervisor who will “handle any complaints or appeals regarding the provenance or safety of medications carried by members of the public.” This supervisor will have access to qualified medical and pharmacist advice via Event Control.
It’s also worth noting that there’s a 24-hour GP service, including prescription and pharmacies, available onsite during the festival period. However, unusual medication or that with a short shelf-life is unlikely to be available.