Travel with Interferon

[Abrams]

I have read posts regarding travel and transporting my drug whilst flying.

I'm travelling from Heathrow to Sydney in December with a stopover in Malaysia.

So far through my research I have found out I must not take the phials out of the box they come in and find some sort of container that with keep them within the required temperature between 2-8 degrees. So many opinions and advice im now struggling to know what to do. Also I will probably need something to take at least 8 boxes which is quite bulky.

Has anyone had the same problem. I'm worried as this is my lifeline to see my daughter and family and first time I've had to fly since starting the drug this year.

I hope there is someone out there who can advise.

[hunter5582]

For an extended trip like that I would use the same styrofoam boxes the Besremi is shipped in. Pegasys was shipped in the same containers. They are quite thick and designed for extended transport. They are large enough to hold 8 boxes plus the ice gel packs. I always keep one or two in reserve in case I need them. If your interferon is not shipped directly to you then your pharmacy likely has some of the Styrofoam shipping containers and the disposable (but reusable) gel packs.

Happy travels,

[Abrams in reply to hunter5582]

thank you Hunter I will check with my Pharmacy and see if they can help me.

Grateful for your reply.

[eladhil]

hey. First of all take from your doctor record of your medical status. I bought from “4all family” a term is which keep it 2-8 degrees.

[Abrams in reply to eladhil]

thank you I’ll check that out.

Thanks for replying.

[JeniMac]

I bought these of amazon you freeze the cooler gels

Injection cooler bags

[Abrams in reply to JeniMac]

Hi JeniMac

I’ve seen them but unfortunately just not big enough for at least 6 boxes of interferon.

Thanks for your reply.

[JeniMac in reply to Abrams]

I'm going to take mine out of boxes so I can fit them in. Hope you get sorted

[Abrams in reply to JeniMac]

I read you can get challenged taking needles and syringes into a foreign country, when going through customs, if not in original box.

[JeniMac in reply to Abrams]

I will take box separately and if I do get stopped I will explain they need kept cold. Also I am going to get a letter off my doctor which will hopefully cover it. My friend is diabetic and this is the way she takes her insulin.Hope you well.

[Abrams in reply to JeniMac]

I will speak to my Consultant see if I can cover myself by taking them out of their boxes. That would be so simple and then there’s lots of ways to transport our medication.

I’m ok a few side effects which are only apparent when I see my blood test results. Hope you are well.

[JeniMac in reply to Abrams]

I'm on 4th peg unfortunately my platelets were up a little last week hope they are down this week. Side effects are the worst

[Abrams in reply to JeniMac]

I’m sorry to hear that. Yes I too go up and down. I’ve been told I’m now pre diabetic but haven’t spoken to my Consultant. Have to wait to hear what he has to say.

[Exeter21]

I am UK & they don’t put my peg interferon in anything at Pharmacy. I have to collect it from their fridge in just its cardboard sealed box. They will not provide me with the insulation .,I asked. So mine goes in cooler sandwich size bag . If you email your flight company they usually have arrangements to put drug in their fridge onboard. If not the freezer insets in cool bags stay cold a long time. My consultant told me the interferon is safe up to 24hrs if not in fridge . You can always get ice on the flight to put in a plastic seal bag as you travel in air . I sail on small yachts with no fridge & have got by getting ice on route to keep bag chilled . 👍

[Abrams in reply to Exeter21]

hi Exeter

That’s interesting. I had read airlines will not take responsibility for drugs.

I’m seeing my consultant next month, first time since July and will ask the question about length of time out of fridge. My trouble - I understand when flying certain countries can be difficult when transporting drugs and they must stay in the original box , which means it’s going to be quite bulky!

Thank you for your reply.

[Exeter21 in reply to Abrams]

yes must stay sealed in the boxes & carry Dr letter to prove it is prescribed to you . So far security checks have been fine as used to other people on injection prescriptions 👍

[Exeter21 in reply to Exeter21]

The square sandwich cool bags will carry at least 8 boxes I tried it for size before I bought it . 👍. If you search online I believe you can purchase battery operated cool bags but quite expensive 👌

[Exeter21 in reply to Exeter21]

I also have to travel on haul down under to relatives which I why I asked Haemotology re what would happen if warmed up on travel & told ok for 24 hrs till fridge again . 👍

[Abrams in reply to Exeter21]

thanks for all your great advice.

It’s good to know others have achieved a long haul flight , pity they don’t have a special fridge to accommodate passengers drugs when flying !!

I have a better idea what to do now. I’m not going to take them out of their boxes. Especially as we are having a stop over in Malaysia. I’ll take them as hand luggage and hopefully get something to keep them as cool as possible.

Hope you are well.

[Exeter21 in reply to Abrams]

yes put it all in hand luggage as it sets the drug test off . As long as they can look at sealed boxes they happy once checked. It all depends on plane how nice the air crew are re fridge they all differ 👍

[Abrams]

thanks that’s exactly what I thought

Many thanks for your reply .