Sunshine, adventure, and new experiences – summer is the time to get out there and make the most of life. But long-haul flights, climate changes, busy schedules, and unfamiliar foods can leave even the most seasoned traveller feeling run-down. To help you feel your best throughout your travels and beyond, we asked pharmacist and wellness strategist Ashley Duane to share his top picks from the Pharma Plus range, along with insider travel tips, common mistakes to avoid, and answers to the most frequently asked travel health questions – all to help you stay healthy this summer:

As a pharmacist, I’m often asked how people can stay healthy throughout the year. While winter tends to receive the majority of attention due to coughs, colds, and flus, people are increasingly conscious of their health during the warmer months, too. Summer doesn’t mean we put away our vitamins and healthy habits. In fact, I’ve recently seen a notable uptick in respiratory infections in the pharmacy, far more than expected for the summer months. I’ve been dispensing an unusually high number of antibiotics and corticosteroids for the season, which just reinforces the importance of maintaining your health all year round.

Whether you’re heading away on a sun holiday or simply getting through hot, stuffy workdays, your immune system still needs support. This is why I’m such a fan of the Pharma Plus range. It’s an Irish-owned company, designed by pharmacists, which gives me confidence in both the formulation and the intention behind each product. Two standout products from the range that I always recommend, especially in the summer months, are the Pharma Biotic and the Active Immune.

Active Immune RRP (€44.95 / £40.00) is a daily immune-support drink packed with key nutrients like vitamin C, vitamin D, zinc, elderberry extract, and Wellmune®, a clinically studied beta-glucan that supports the immune system. It also contains chicory root fibre for gut support and NAC (N-acetyl-L-cysteine), a powerful antioxidant that’s still underutilised in most people’s supplement routines. This blend helps keep your immune defenses up, especially important when you’re exposed to air conditioning on long flights or in hotel rooms, jet lag, lack of sleep, and the general stresses of travel.

PharmaBiotics 28 day pack

PharmaBiotics 28 day pack RRP (€28.99 / £26.00) on the other hand, is a citrus-flavoured probiotic sachet that contains LactoSpore®, a resilient strain of Bacillus coagulans clinically proven to survive digestion and reach the gut intact. With the surge of interest in gut health, it’s easy to get overwhelmed by the number of probiotic products out there. But the inclusion of a robust, evidence-backed strain and a prebiotic-like chicory root fibre makes PharmaBiotic stand out. Probiotics aren’t just useful after antibiotics; they can support digestion, skin health, women’s health, allergies, and even mental wellbeing. I particularly encourage their use during summer travel. Travelling often exposes your gut to unfamiliar bacteria, whether it’s from different food hygiene standards or changes in water quality. A good probiotic can help your body adapt, reducing the risk of digestive issues like bloating, diarrhoea, and general discomfort. That said, not everyone should take probiotics, so always check with your pharmacist or GP.

Common Travel Questions

One of the most frequent questions I get from patients is: what should I pack in my travel health kit?

My essentials include:

  • A non-drowsy antihistamine (Telfast is my go-to)

  • Broad-spectrum SPF (P20 is excellent)

  • Electrolyte sachets (Dioralyte or ORS)

  • Anti-diarrhoeal (Imodium)

  • Painkillers (paracetamol and ibuprofen)

If you can’t get these in time before your trip, don’t panic, most countries have well-stocked community pharmacies. But if you’re travelling further afield, make sure your vaccines are up to date and your visa is sorted in good time.

Travel Health Mistakes to Avoid

Let’s talk sun. As a nation, we’re guilty of going overboard when we get any sight of the sun. But that desire to soak up the sun can be harmful, both short and long-term.

Sunstroke, dehydration, and sunburn are common issues I see during the summer. They can make your trip miserable, and worse still, can carry long-term health consequences. So, wear SPF 30 or higher for adults (50+ for kids), stay out of direct sun from 11am–3pm, and wear hats, sunglasses, and loose, breathable clothing. Keep water and electrolyte sachets on hand, and remember: beer doesn’t count as hydration. Although it would be nice.

Another big one is water safety, and not just the sea and pools we splash around in. In some countries, the tap water isn’t safe to drink—or even to brush your teeth with. Stick to bottled water, and be careful when showering not to swallow water. Similarly, be cautious with street food. While I love sampling local cuisine, I’d advise eating freshly prepared food from reputable vendors. Taking a probiotic before and during your trip can go a long way in helping your gut acclimatise and avoid traveller’s diarrhoea. Another good hack is to have some locally produced fruit (washed with bottled water) when you first arrive to let your gut get friendly with some of the local bacteria that exists on the food.

Why I Recommend Active Immune & PharmaBiotic

Both products come in single-use sachets that are easy to pack and genuinely taste great. Active Immune is ideal for flights, poor sleep, air-conditioned environments, or even just the stress of being out of your usual routine. The ingredients are well-researched, with benefits for immunity, energy, and antioxidant protection.

PharmaBiotic complements this by keeping your gut flora balanced, supporting digestion and immunity, and helping avoid that sluggish or bloated feeling that travel often brings. It’s not just about avoiding illness, it’s about feeling and looking your best while you’re away.

Travel Health Tips to Live By

  • Pack a travel health kit: SPF, electrolytes, pain relief, antihistamines, plasters, antiseptic cream.

  • Hydrate: drink water throughout the day. Limit alcohol, especially in the heat.

  • Stick to your habits: keep a consistent sleep schedule, eat whole foods, and train at cooler times of day (early morning or pre-dinner).

  • Use SPF generously and reapply throughout the day. Cover up when possible.

  • Consider melatonin if you’re travelling east and struggle with jet lag (note: prescription-only in Ireland).

  • On long-haul flights, move around regularly and consider flight socks if you have clotting risks.

  • Check out my TikTok (@AshThePharmacist) or Instagram (@ashleyodubhain) for more health and wellness tips and recommendations.

Above all, take your supplements consistently. I’ve a few trips planned and I’ll be packing my Active Immune and PharmaBiotic sachets this summer without a doubt. By remembering these tips, you’ll reduce your chances of getting burnt, dehydrated, or run-down and get the most out of your holiday (and reduce those holiday blues when you’re back in rainy Ireland).

About Pharma Plus

Pharma Plus was founded by a team of experienced pharmacists who recognized the need for professional, evidence-based guidance in the world of supplements. Driven by this vision, they developed a range of products that prioritize optimal dosages of essential ingredients while excluding unnecessary additives. Pharma Plus aims to simplify the supplement landscape by offering products tailored to specific, everyday health needs. Each formula is grounded in extensive scientific research, designed to be easily absorbed by the body and to provide a pleasant daily supplement experience.

Pharma Plus products are available to purchase online at www.pharmaplus.ie, as well as in Boots and leading pharmacies nationwide.