When going through airport security I'd like to carry a week's supply of tablets in my pill organiser. I'll take extra tablets in the original packaging, labelled. Plus I have prescription counterfoils
Has anyone had problems with the pill organiser at security?
If you are stopped through customs you may be challenged so all drugs should be in original packaging with your name on and the pharmacy label. Also take a prescription request slip if you don’t have App repeat requests.
Having said that, I have been challenged less than 10% of the time and depends on country. Europe is usually ok but had problems in far East & US. Don’t travel too much these days though.
Take your pill organizer with you to refill when you arrive.
I think that would be unwise unless you enjoy being singled out at security. Alwasy best to keep you drugs in original boxes and also make sure you have prescription for all of them with you. Countries vary but I wouldn't risk it these days.
As a minimum, I take my last prescription and enough meds for trip in their original dispensing packaging. I will have the ones I need for the trip/flight on me and then decant others into my dispenser later.
I also check my destination’s law/rules on importing medication and adhere to it.
I never really had an issue- Europe, US, Far East
The main issue is proving the tablets in the organiser are what you say they are. Obviously they can test them to see whether illicit drugs but that will delay your progression through customs.Being in their original packaging provides support for what you claim they are, along with appropriate documentation (prescription or doctor'sletter).
You should also only travel with quantities you can reasonably justify i.e. to cover your needs for your trip. Excessive quantities will potentially attract attention.
Also check to ensure all of your medications are legal in the countries you are travelling through e.g. some common prescription medications in Australia are illegal in Bali (common holiday destination for Australians) even with Australian prescription.
Enjoy your holiday.
That makes sense. Thank you.
Do you know what they don't like in Bali.I think it's important to take a letter from your Dr about your meds.I take mine in their bottles too to avoid problems.
"Some Australian prescription medications (including strong painkillers such as morphine and codeine, sleeping pills and medications for ADHD) are considered illegal narcotics under Indonesian law."
Best to Google anything questionable
I travel extensively and have never had a problem. I carry, in my iPhone a photo of each Rx container explicitly showing the pertinent information on the label with a single tablet in front of the container, so it is identifiable by Customs or Passport Control Officers. I have traveled extensively in Europe, US and Canada with absolutely no issues.
I always carry them along with a repeat prescription form from my Doc or Pharmacy. I take the organiser for that week and then a box of each tablet to prove what they are. Have never had any problems and that includes travel to USA and South Africa. They just look at them and say fine.
I don't think Africa worries too much, I've travelled from South Africa to Botswana, Zimbabwe, Lesotho and Namibia and nobody has ever mentioned drugs - may be further North they are more diligent !
Still got to get through UK security to get SA. I have also gone to Swaziland, Zambia and Zimbabwe and Mozambique while in South Africa and not even sure luggage was checked at all.
Last time at Heathrow, no checks. I had made arrangement for assistance on arrival as I had sciatica in my leg. There were 4 of us waiting for this golf cart thing to take us. Two of us had British passports, the other two ladies had passports from African countries. The driver just took our passports to this kiosk, the two Africa ladies had to get out, we Brits just had our passports handed back and were driven to the carousel to collect our luggage. Same returning to SA, my BIL and sister drove me to Heathrow, BIL checked in my cases for me, hand luggage went through Xray, no comment. All I can say is how rude so many fellow travellers are, pushing in front at the Xray machine, pushing in front to board the plane - I was Business class and supposed to go in the first batch of boarders (there was no first class) - had I tried to do so, I would have been trampled to death!
We haven't been to SA since just before Covid so obviously things have changed a little since we last went. It's always a free for all getting on and off. I love how everyone rushed to get their luggage down as soon as the aircraft is down when they can't go anywhere until the stairs are up! We actually had to wait half an hour for stair at Manchester once and loads of people were just standing in the aisles as if it made a difference. We all ended up waiting at the luggage carousel as unloading had also been held up!
I travel with a boat load of meds because my adult kids take them but I usually carry them counted into organizers, including controlled meds. I carry the original containers also. But always check the pills are legal in the country you are visiting. I have never been stopped but obviously they can stop and check. I am willing to take the risk because it is easier to pre count them before I leave.
As has already been said, take in their original packaging, repeat prescription request slip and you should be fine. I’ve never had a problem. I do always take a few days extra supply with me in case of delays. Also if I’m putting luggage in the hold I always pack another lot of my medication in the suitcase . That way if either luggage goes missing you will still have your medications. Enjoy your trip.
I don’t travel too much but did as others have said when I travelled to Seoul and took pills in original boxes and empty pill dispenser to fill up at hotel I have my repeats sent to chemist and they gave me a print out of prescriptions I kept pills in carry on and dispenser in other case and had no problems Have a lovely holiday 😊
When taking any meds through customers the officers will need identification of what the 'pills' are, putting them into your organiser does not show any identification however it might work if you took a copy of your prescription with you, I always used to take mine in case I lost the pills, however boxes, in tact, is best.
There have been changes since Brexit about the way they like you to travel with medication.They don't like to see them in a pill organiser, not even just the day , they want them in a container , in the original boxes and bottles. But you can put the daily plastic pill organisers in the same box to use during your trip.
It's good to print off the official statement of your prescription, even if you have it on an app on your phone. Mainly, because there can be times that it's hard to get the info up on a phone at the airport , and you don't want to get stuck in the queue any longer than you want to.
I generally also ensure I have an extra seven days of medication with me on a holiday or work trip, even in the UK.
This might seem overcautious but it's better to be safe than sorry. It's not unheard of to have travel delays or , unfortunately, other medical reasons which could mean your trip is extended or you need extra doses because of a flare.
I also print off my medical history / allergies and an extra copy of my medications list and keep it in a daily bag ( even when I'm just on the go at home), letting others that I'm travelling or out with know it's there for an Emergency, just in case there is a problem and I might need to share my info with a doctor or hospital when I'm not really up to communicating.
Very sensible.
Great advice. I am taking a few extracts of medical history. Bit long to take it all!
You can actually request a copy of your 3/4 page GP Medical Summary from the GP surgery for free.It's easier than sorting it yourself ( plus you get to see if they have left something important off or new updates).
It includes the list of all of your diagnosed conditions and medications. The dates of your most recent treatments and what they were , plus any surgeries or big illnesses and vaccinations you've had in your lifetime. It's what a new GP quickly reads through before they see you , and it's probably the simplest piece of info for all of us to keep around in general for medical info at appointments.
I was very glad I’d taken a few extra weeks of meds and supplements with me to Europe last summer. Was banged on the head when someone opened a very heavy door unexpectedly and ended up with a concussion. Had to delay our trip,home by about 10 days. Confirmed my obsessiveness about packing an extra few weeks of meds when heading overseas.
I am on 6 meds. I get them from the pharmacy in "blister packs" here in Canada", they are already pre-portioned in littlee plastic bubbles, and I just open one each morning and all my pills are there. The best thing about it is that there is a PHOTO of each pill in the packs, and it says what it is, when prescribed, how to take it, etc. It's like a fancy pill organizer. they can open a little bubble and match the pills to the little pictures that show size, shape and color. You might see if your pharmacy can provide you with these blister packs. BTW, I would take more than a week's worth with me -- what if something happens and you are held up and run out of meds before you can get back home. Semper Paratus!
Having lived in the Far East and the Middle East and travelled extensively, I would only ever travel with meds in their original packaging (including simple OTC ones). I also carry a copy of my prescription (handy now you can view it on the NHS app).
If in doubt, always check the drug laws for the country (eg I was surprised that my ‘take, if it gets awful’ tablets for vertigo require a doctors letter in UAE) I didn’t bother with a letter , but wrapped a prescription around the packet.
Opiates tend to be the biggest no no. And unfortunately, no poppy seeds for baking!
I'm with everyone here who says keep in the packs. When travelling Ryan Air a couple of years ago I took the blister packs only but cut out the labels on the boxes and stuck them onto a piece of card so blister packs could easily be identified. The label on your packet always has your name and date as well as medication name. I also always take my most recent prescription.
For belt and braces- and especially if you'll need to medicated during a flight - get your GP to write a short note on headed notepaper indicating you must have the medication with you at all times. I've done both the above on separate occasions and never had any issues , even with taking a pill cutter through.
I'd be wary of US and Canada as my experience is their customs/ immigration can be more authoritarian and pedantic than even UK and may want to test every tablet.
I think it comes down to the regulations in the countries you’re traveling to. I’ve always taken at least a week of meds in my pillboxes, while carrying the extras in their labeled bottles. We’ve traveled extensively in Europe, New Zealand, Australia, North America and never had a problem. (I’m from the U.S.) One tip that helped me with too many large bottles taking up too much space in my bag was to get small bottles and ask pharmacist to print extra labels to put on the smaller bottles.
No problems whatsoever. Enjoy your hols
A secondary issue could be if you end up in hospital when you are away. Hospitals in this country are very reluctant to allow you to continue self medicating with unlabelled medication even if they are happy with the drugs you take because they can’t be sure what the pills in your organiser are. I see no reason why hospitals abroad would be any different.
Very true.
I travel to Europe every 6 weeks and always take pill box and repeat prescription listing all meds, I've never taken in original packaging.
I leave my meds in the case which goes in the hold. I take what meds I deem most necessary before I arrive at the airport.
Having heard stories of lost luggage I hesitate to put meds in checked luggage. But then I am a born pessimist! Thanks for your reply.
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