Travelling with medicines
A friend of mine said that if I take a flight, I will need a statement written by a doctor that my migraine medicines (Pronaxen) are legal. Is that true? I have had flight around the Europe, like Helsinki, Riga, Copenhagen, Lisbon, Barcelona, but this question popped to my mind only now. How can a doctor make sure that I won't remove the medicine and put something illegal to the pot after he or she has been written the statement?
Best Answer
Not all countries have the same rules about what is over-the-counter and what is prescribed. You need to look up your specific medication and perhaps ask the country you are going to.
For example, I use Sudafed for allergy and cold congestion. In Canada, you can buy it over-the-counter if it has acetaminophen added (which makes it harder to use as a starting point for meth-making) and can ask at the pharmacy counter for the single-ingredient version. In the US, it's the same except that you have to show ID at the pharmacy counter and they write your details down. But in New Zealand their Sudafed has a different ingredient (one that was tried briefly in Canada and just doesn't work for me) and the version I have is very strictly controlled. As in "you can't come into the country because you tried to bring that stuff" controlled. I have been exchanging emails with NZ customs for months working out the wording of my doctor letter, how much of the packaging I need to bring, and so on. I'm bringing a blister-pack version so it's more obvious that I'm bringing what I say I'm bringing.
Doing this level of research for every combination of medication and country is impossible. If your medication is already prescribed to you, just leave it in the original packaging and bring your prescription along with whatever paperwork the pharmacist gave you when filling the prescription. If it's over-the-counter, get in touch with the customs people of the country you're going to and ask if you need a doctor's letter. It's worth putting that time in to know you will be ok.
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Do prescription drugs have to be in original containers?
Traveling with Medication. Prescription medications should be in their original containers with the doctor's prescription printed on the container. It is advised that you travel with no more than personal use quantities, a rule of thumb is no more than a 90 day supply.How do you travel with a lot of medication?
Bring prescription medications in their original packaging. Make sure the labels show the name of the medication, dose, prescribing doctor, pharmacy and your name as it appears on your passport. Prefer using a pill organizer box? Take it along and fill it up when you get to your destination.How do I carry medicine on a plane?
You can bring your medication in pill or solid form in unlimited amounts as long as it is screened. You can travel with your medication in both carry-on and checked baggage. It's highly recommended you place these items in your carry-on in the event that you need immediate access.Can you take medication in a suitcase?
Travelling with your medicines Always carry medicines and medical equipment (needles, syringes and so on) in their original, correctly labelled packages. Carry your medicine in your hand luggage (although check your airline's regulations before travelling) with a copy of your prescription.Traveling with Medications ~ #smhTopTips
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Images: Tima Miroshnichenko, Bess Hamiti, Gabriela Palai, Porapak Apichodilok