medication abroad

[Jackabee]

I am going to Germany soon to visit a friend. Should I pack my medication in my hand baggage or my suitcase? Do I have to declare it?

[Loobycare]

Hand baggage everytime. A couple of years ago I put mine in my suitcase. I arrived at the ship for a week long cruise to discover my suitcase was missing. I had to go a week without my medication and suffered withdrawal from an antidepressant I was taking. I had a miserable time and the ship could only offer me Paracetamol (I have Rheumatoid Arthritis and Paracetamol did not touch the pain). This was before I had my heart attack and stent. Goodness knows what would have happened otherwise.My suitcase arrived home the day after I did, having followed the ship around the Mediterranean a day after all the way. I would never pack medication in a suitcase ever again.

[gorillaqueen in reply to Loobycare]

How awful. I have Fibromyalgia and paracetamol only takes the edge off but that’s all I’m allowed to take because of other health issues. I would think Rheumatoid Arthritis is a whole different ball game.

[Lowerfield_no_more]

Handbaggage. Take extra meds in case you are delayed. And a copy of your repeat prescription list.

[Happyrosie]

as has been said. And, have you got a European Health Card? Best to have this (it’s FREE you apply on line) as well as your normal travel insurance.

You are not asked to declare medication going into Germany as far as I’m aware, whoever you bought the ticket from e.g. Travel agent would advise you.

[Jackabee in reply to Happyrosie]

I have got those thanks ( card and insurance)?

[PinkKizzie]

As previous, always keep medication with you when you travel, never put it in your suitcase.

[SAMS007]

Always split the meds and have one lot in your case and one lot in your hand luggage and Always take a few days extra as you never know what happens and also take your prescription print off with you in case you are pulled by the security people

[Murderfan58]

Hand luggage and get a letter from your GP addressed to whom it may concern this patient is on and a list of your medication.You may have to pay for the letter it just depends on your GP.

Have a fabulous time .

[CyclingTime]

I always take mine in my hand baggage, I have had cases delayed/gone missing three times now. You don't need that hassle

[Larneybuds]

Good morning ....always take meds in hand baggage. As someone else has mentioned, take extra in case of cancellations or delays, plus a printed prescription as proof of your meds. When I was going through security I just made them aware but I don't believe you have to do this. Enjoy your holiday x

[George6969]

I am in Turkey just now . Definitely hand luggage.+ I put extra in my suitcase. Just in case. Better to much than anything else. + no don’t have to declare it . I have morphine. And didn’t need to declare that. Good luck. And enjoy your holiday.

[Daveinbridgo]

Put it in your hand luggage , no need to declare it I kept mine on original boxses with name on boxses plus I had them on my nhs app in case i was stopped. Hope this helps

[MountainGoat52]

Agree with all comments... take tge amount required plus a few days extra in your hand luggage with a copy of your script and GHIC card. Never had any issues in Europe.

[Deejay62]

I’ve travelled many times with my meds. I keep them all in my hand luggage in a see through plastic bag, and some extra extra in my case. All I’ve taken with me is my repeat prescription with all the meds I’m carrying.

[Dancerama]

Went to Australia a year ago, took a small amount of meds in my hand luggage, the rest in my case. Case went missing for the first time ever. Thankfully I got it back, someone had mistaken it for their case and walked off with it, then brought it back when they realised. Lesson learnt, will just take my meds in hand luggage in future.

[Yogi1950s]

Definitely in hand luggage so you know where it is at all times. Always in original boxes and always with the information sheets in each box. Also prescription - personally I have one copy in my hand luggage with the meds and one in my case - excuse the pun but just in case!.The only exception is the GTN spray which lives in my pocket.

[YorkshireBlue]

I always double up and split it between suitcase & hand baggage, just in case one goes missing and the holiday ruined.

[gasp1]

hi, place in hand luggage in original packaging your medication comes in if it is lose it’s harder for all the security services to make an assessment and could be seized as you can’t prove what it is if that makes send also take a copy of your prescription with you as well so that everything tally’s up on the list

[Jackabee]

thank you everyone for the very useful advice

[Tadpole16]

Hand luggage always incase your suitcase gets lost in transit. I was also advised to take a copy of my prescriptions in case of queries but I’ve never had any issues .

[LunaHarvey]

just a bit of advice. I’d take a letter or any discharge letter with all your meds on it in case you get one of those security officers at the airport.

[Genteel1]

I always take my meds in my hand luggage in original boxes, with a letter from the doctor showing a list of my meds, my last prescription and a screen shot from system online or NHS app. Never had a problem at airport security checks.

[Bluelobby]

Always keep your meds with you , I passed out on a flight due to my blood pressure dropping so much , altitude, cabin pressure and ramipril was the culprits. Enjoy

[Heartelaugh]

anything you might need on the plane keep in hand luggage but you will need your prescription with you. The rest put in the hold luggage, wouldn’t hurt to have your prescription for those too.

[Jetcat]

I’d go for hand baggage. There is a small chance of suitcases getting lost.??

[Nelson71]

ALWAYS in your hand luggage. If you take your prescription with you as well in case you’re questioned at security. There’s no need to declare them though

[gorillaqueen]

Hand luggage every time. As loobycare says not worth the risk of your suitcase going astray.

[RP1944]

definitely hand,luggage

[Badger132]

I put mine in the hand luggage if your suitcase gose missing so dose your medication

[Qualipop]

Take the copy of your meds from your prescription or a letter from your GP and always carry the meds in hand luggage. They rarely check but it's best to have the proof.

[EastchurchTwentyOne]

I am currently in the US and have taken 3 long haul trips since the shock of my HA and stents. I always take my drugs in hand luggage plus a week extra just in case. With them I pack my discharge notes. Have a great trip.

[Larivee]

Friend of mine is a doctor and it seems every time he travels by air he is called upon for a medical emergency. It is because passengers did not have their meds with them. Many are diabetics. Always pack your meds in your carry on.

[Prince123456]

pack it in your knickers if they are big enough 🤣

[Jackabee in reply to Prince123456]

Haha sadly they are now!

[Calypso76]

As everyone has said, definitely hand luggage. I'm in the US and my husband put his meds in his suitcase and it went missing for two days. By that time his sugar and blood pressure had begun to rise. I'm putting ALL my meds in my hand luggage, especially when I travel overseas.

[LSCE]

I carry enough in my hand luggage and also in the suitcase. Covers all bases loss of suitcase or loss of bags luggage, though that unlikely. Meds should be in original boxes and with a copy of your repeat meds (right hand side of prescription). Enjoy your trip

[Jedi14]

The only medication which caused a slight delay in boarding time was the GTN spray. There is a perfectly good reason for this, it counts as an explosive!

[talipia]

Hand baggage every time..a no brainer.

[Furryears]

I always pack in hand luggage I like to keep it with me at all times, I keep it in their original boxes and take my little pill box with me to pour them in when I get there

Have a fab time 😊

[Ennasti]

I travel abroad very regularly. I’ve been to India, Sri Lanka, the Maldives and China already this year. I take my current open packets in my hand luggage (at least 1-2 weeks worth), and the rest in my suitcase.

I don’t declare them but I do make sure they’re in their packets with the script label on them. I don’t put them in plastic bags - they stay in my normal meds bag. I mostly use digital scripts so I don’t bring scripts with me, plus I could just ring my doctor if I needed an emergency script.

[Dimelza66]

Hand bag always. You can't afford to lose it. Make sure you carry your prescription too. You don't have to declare it. They will see it on the scanner. They never ask me what any of my medicines are, but you should carry a Doctor's prescription just in case. And try to take un opened boxes in original packaging.

[Kaz747]

As others have said, definitely hand luggage. In May we flew from Australia to Barcelona, via Doha. There was a medical emergency on board the first flight and we had to make an emergency stop in Muscat, Oman. That meant that whilst we still managed to get our flight to Barcelona (Qatar delayed as many connecting flights as they could) our suitcases didn't make it. Thankfully they arrived the next afternoon. I always put medication, chargers, power adaptors, toothbrushes, spare underwear, etc in my hand luggage just in case. I was very grateful of this on this trip 😘