Travelling to Europe - Meds

[bobbiwoz]

Do pills have to be in original containers, or can they be in the "take one each day" containers? I'm concerned about taking my entire supply with me when I only need 2 weeks worth.

Thanks.
Bobbi

 

[Andrew Bichard]

Do pills have to be in original containers, or can they be in the "take one each day" containers? I'm concerned about taking my entire supply with me when I only need 2 weeks worth.

Thanks.
Bobbi

I regularly fly from Europe (UK) to USA (MCO) and back again with meds, both in half empty screw top bottles and one a day 'pop' packs. I have never had a problem.

Couple of hints, take double what you need and distribute them so that if you lose them (or have them stolen) you still have a supply. (Baggage handlers once stole my wifes med from out of our suitcases. - we didn't know there was a market for arthritis tablets!!

Also take a prescription form or doctors note with you, so you can get replacement medication if yours is lost or stolen.

Andrew

 

[DebbieB]

When I traveled to India earlier this year I only took enough for the 2 weeks I was gone, plus an extra week in case of some kind of travel delay. I put them in my carry-on with an empty day by day box. I filled the box once I got there. They didn't check them but I had the prescription bottles in case.

 

[bobbiwoz]

Thank you both. I'm off to count pills. I was only going to take an extra 1-2 of each, but you've gotten me thinking that more than that would be safer.

Bobbi

 

[NotUrsula]

I regularly fly from Europe (UK) to USA (MCO) and back again with meds, both in half empty screw top bottles and one a day 'pop' packs. I have never had a problem.

Couple of hints, take double what you need and distribute them so that if you lose them (or have them stolen) you still have a supply. (Baggage handlers once stole my wifes med from out of our suitcases. - we didn't know there was a market for arthritis tablets!!

Also take a prescription form or doctors note with you, so you can get replacement medication if yours is lost or stolen.

Andrew

There isn't a market for arthritis tablets, per se -- but there IS a market for prescription drugs. Inside thieves who work the bag rooms don't take the time to read the labels, as that would increase the likelihood of getting caught. What they do is take ANY Rx medications that they see, and let the fence tell them what is worthless and what isn't. Then they toss whatever they cannot sell.

ALWAYS carry all Rx medications on your person at all times when travelling, and never put them in checked baggage. When you reach your destination, make sure that you do not leave meds out in plain sight in a hotel room -- again, if there are inside thieves they will not bother reading labels at the time.

For the OP, as long as your meds are not controlled substances in the countries into which you are travelling, you do not need the original containers. (You don't always need them even if they are, but it's a good idea to do it anyway for narcotics -- just don't take more than an extra week supply of those with you.) However, you should go ahead and get paper copies of all of your scrip labels to carry with you, so that you can show them if you do have difficulties at Customs (not at all likely), or for replacement should something happen to those you bring. Ask your physician to be sure to put the chemical name of the drug on the scrip list, as certain meds have different brand names in different countries.

 

[bobbiwoz]

These notes are so very helpful. Thank you!!! I'm a bit nervous about treaveling. Haven't been to Europe since 2000...travelling was easier!

Bobbi