Meds on the Plane - Help Please.

[KJ Luvs Pluto]

I know this has been discussed before - and I read those threads. But - I just received a newsletter from my insurance company and they mentioned that the TSA is requireing all prescription medications to be in the original containers with the RX label on it. Is this new?

In the past we have put what would be required for our trip (plus some extra) of each of our Rx's in one small bottle or in those weekly containers to save space. Since we get a three month supply at a time, each bottle of meds is pretty big and if we have to take all of them that's going to take up a lot of space in the suitcase. So I thought I would ask those in the know and who have traveled recently - Was the newsletter correct? Will I have to take all those huge bottles or can I continue to bring just what I need packed into whatever container I can find? I do bring along the prescription info for each in case we need it while we are on vacation if that helps any.

Thank you for any advice/help.

 

[jrc-elpaso]

My DH has a couple of prescriptions that he gets a 90 day supply of and we just save a few of the smaller bottles, take the labels off and then peel the labels off the 90 day bottle and put it on one of the smaller ones - then put the amount he needs (plus a few) in that. Fortunately the labels come off easily and re-apply. Or you might explain to your pharmacist and have him split the prescription between 2 bottles - a small and a large. I would think that wouldn't be a problem.

 

[DebbieB]

I travel frequently and always use the weekly pill holders, never had a problem. The only time I took the original bottles was when I traveled international. TSA is there for security, not drug enforcement.

 

[NotUrsula]

Not only not new, but not true. It's a popular misconception and I hear it all the time.

It sometimes *is* true for some international travel, depending on what countries you are visiting, but even in those cases it is not that the container has to be labeled, just that you must carry a copy of the prescription so that Customs can verify that you are legitimately in the possession of the meds, and how many you will need for your time in their jurisdiction.

Some local jurisdictions (NY is apparently one of them) have rules about not carrying controlled substances outside of the original container, but that's only controlled substances, and in any case that has nothing to do with TSA.

It's always a good idea anyway to carry copies of your scrips; the pharmacy can print them out for you on a sheet if you request it. That way if you should end up needing medical treatment, the attending physician can read the page and get a quick update on exactly what you take.

 

[iheartpeterpan]

It is also true if the medication is a liquid. Because it will violate their 4 oz rule you will need it to be in the original bottle with the prescription attached, then they will let you carry it on. Otherwise, I've never even had them look.

 

[KJ Luvs Pluto]

Thank you for all of your responses. I was really hoping that the information in the newsletter was incorrect (well meaning maybe, but incorrect). The information on on the Disboards has been so helpful in the past that I knew I would get the most updated and accurate info. I will be ready with my by-the-week containers and scrips. Thanks again for the speedy replies, it is greatly appreciated.

 

[Uncleromulus]

God forbid TSA gets involved with drugs and medicine!!
In addition to prescribed and OTC medicines, lots of folks (including me) carry vitamins and other supplements..and almost NONE of it in the original package or container.
Can you just imagine TSA inserting itself into all that??

KJ: What insurance company sent you that information???

 

[Inkmahm]

I travel frequently and always use the weekly pill holders, never had a problem. The only time I took the original bottles was when I traveled international. TSA is there for security, not drug enforcement.

Same here, although I used the weekly pill holders last year both for trips to Canada and to France, too. No problems at all. I never take my meds in their original containers.

 

[crashbb]

It is also true if the medication is a liquid. Because it will violate their 4 oz rule you will need it to be in the original bottle with the prescription attached, then they will let you carry it on. Otherwise, I've never even had them look.

It's actually the 3.4oz rule (generally called the 3oz rule in the US and what you say is not entirely true. Given that non-prescription medication is allowed to be bigger than 100mL, they cannot possibly require the prescription to be attached. There is no prescription on a bottle of liquid Tylenol, for example. They do need to be in a proper labeled (i.e. original) bottle though.

 

[Alexander]

Nope--we ALWAYS take our meds. in a weekly dispenser thinga-ma-jig.

 

[ParrotBill]

If you do ever want or need to, liquid medicines do not count against the 3-1-1 rules.
prepare your properly packaged 3-1-1 bags if any.
Have a separate clear bag with all prescription and nonprescription liquid medicines.

Get the scanning agent's attention before you send your carryons through, tell them you have medicines. They may take them to look or just put it in the bin with your 3-1-1 bags.

This is true if you have refrigerated medicine too. We took a lunch sized cooler with cold pack and medicine in it and handed it to the scanning personnel.

No problems.

 

[KJ Luvs Pluto]

Again, thanks everyone for all of the information and the current experiences. I'm not sure if I should post the name of a company here so I'l just say that it's an HMO that's located in Wisconsin. I hope the information that has been given here helps others though that may have been told this incorrect information.

 

[fakereadhed]

One of the best quotes ever on the DIS : The TSA is not the DEA.

Not sure who to credit with that one (Bavaria?) but I think of it when I am packing and it always cracks me up.

And it's true! Unless you are carrying something illegal, you have nothing to worry about.