Traveling with Biologics Orencia

[Lighthousekeeper]

I have just started Orencia (Abatacpt biologics ) and need to travel with it. It must be kept at 2-8 degrees C for 8-10 hours. I have seen lots of things for carrying insulin (but the temperature is not as important for it) My other biologics were during lockdown and I don’t need to do this. What do you use? Any recommendations would be appreciated.

[Amnesiac3637]

Look on related posts (to the right and opposite your question) as this comes up quite a lot.

[Lighthousekeeper in reply to Amnesiac3637]

thank you

[Paula-C]

This is what I use and it's very good. I paid the vat on it but I'm sure we are exempt from paying it.

Case to carry biologics

[Paula-C]

medigenix.co.uk/coolmeds-me...

[Lighthousekeeper in reply to Paula-C]

Thank you Paula. Have you been pleased with how it works.

[Otto11 in reply to Lighthousekeeper]

Just throwing a spanner in the works here. I’m also on Orencia & travel regularly abroad. Our pen injections are too large for the strapping. These bags are made for smaller pens like Adalimumab currently. I’m working alongside medigenics & have recently sent them a box full of my used pens so they can manufacture a different bag with larger elasticated straps which they hoped would be available next year x

[medway-lady]

I was told by Sciensus that they would supply a travel bag. If its being delivered by them I'd ask if you can have one. I'll find out next year if its true. xx

[Lighthousekeeper in reply to medway-lady]

I have tried asking the people at Lloyd’s Clinical Homecare but they were unable to help. Do they deliver Orencia? I have had a lot of bother getting my deliveries.

[Paula-C in reply to medway-lady]

I actually asked Sciensus a few months ago if they supply anything and they don't, I'd read on a RA Facebook group someone saying they do and I wanted to know if they did. I've recently had dealings with their travel advice people (total waste of time because they didn't answer my actual question, long sorry tale I'm afraid), they just sent me a link to MediGenix web site for me to buy a case which I'd already got.

[medway-lady in reply to Paula-C]

A useless company it was the nurse who said they did.

[Lighthousekeeper in reply to medway-lady]

I waited in all day for my second Orencia delivery and Lloyds Clinical Homecare messed up again. But they did offer me a letter for going on holiday.

[Paula-C in reply to medway-lady]

I'm away touring Spain in a motorhome and we've had problems getting the fridge cold enough, it's got 5 injections in it. Without boring you with the details I phoned saying I needed to speak to a pharmacist urgently, I emphasised not someone from the travel advice team this was at 8am on a Tuesday morning. Had a phone call from travel advice team that day and then the day after, again I emphasised I needed to speak to a pharmacist, finally one phoned on the Thursday.

The nurse who came out when to watch me when I first started injections, well the advice she gave me about travelling abroad was ridiculous. Keep them cold with two cans of coke out of the fridge in a cool bag, throw them at security and buy 2 more airside.

[Lighthousekeeper in reply to Paula-C]

It has arrived. I unpicked the elastic and it now takes two pens perfectly

Made some adjustments will now take 2 pens.

[Paula-C in reply to Lighthousekeeper]

Test it before you use it, we found that it actually goes too cold at first, we normally leave the ice packs out for about 30 minutes before putting in the case and then wait till the temperature displayed is ok.

[Lighthousekeeper in reply to Paula-C]

will do.

[HethB]

I got this pouch by FRIO which I took to Greece with my 2 pens. friouk.com/product/frio-duo/

[Lighthousekeeper in reply to HethB]

Thank you, I spoke to them yesterday and unfortunately they won’t keep them cool enough. They have a safe temperature range of 18-26°C for at least 45 hours..

[Living-in-the-moment]

HI,I researched this exhaustively, you are right, cool bags made for insulin do not work for Orencia, it does not keep it cool enough for long enough. The icool medicube works very well, kept my orencia within temp range for 24 hrs (obviously this will vary according to ambient temp.) Keep the box in the coolest place possible. Itcost about £70 but was worth every penny. Happy holidays

Coolbix

[DiHi]

I travel with mine in an ordinary vacuum flask! Hand luggage,got a letter stating that it’s mine.if asked at security,I just show them, never had a problem, I do put a label on it,medical supplies.

[Silverpixie]

A member sent me this link. It is expensive but if my trip to Australia gets booked I'll definitely get one. My medigenix bag is fine in Europe but the temperature was exceeded flying to Japan. With longer check in times and delays journeys can take longer than you think, especially taking into account travelling to the airport too.



[Lighthousekeeper in reply to Silverpixie]

thanks for this. I think I’m going to get the medigenix bag for the moment. I’ve looked at the link you sent but I’m not sure how many you could fit in. They are quite chunky! I hope you get to Australia soon.

[Silverpixie]

4allfamily.com/collections/...

[Otto11]

Hi I’ve already replied to you regarding Medigenix bags which I hope to buy once they are available for Orencia pens. I use a coolbag given to me by a rep when Biologics first became available 20 years ago. I can just fit the box of 4 pens in & it has a separate zipped compartment at the front for ice packs. I also pop in 2 small ice packs wrapped in a tea towel along side the box so not touching the actual box for good measure. I have a thermometer inside & it’s generally about 9 degrees at our destination which is 12 hours door to door ( as long as no delays). It’s quite sturdy & thick & has immunology on the front.

I don’t remember which drug company gave it to me but either Etanercept or Adalimumab were my early Biologics if that’s any help. I did buy a Friopack myself years ago but realised it was really only suitable for injections like insulin. It’s a worry isn’t it. I do get stopped every trip at security as I’m carrying ice packs. I would love to find something less chunky like the medigenics bag which was how I got involved with them. Good luck x

[Lighthousekeeper in reply to Otto11]

thank you I have just ordered the medigenix bag. Fingers crossed it will do the job. I felt really let down by the pharmacy, RA Nurse and the home care company. I just wanted someone to say you could use this one or this one. I didn’t want it for free I just wanted to make sure I bought the right thing first time

[Otto11 in reply to Lighthousekeeper]

I rang them to find out the dimensions etc. which is how I got involved. Do let me know what it’s like & if you can fit the pens in please. 🤞for you x

[Lighthousekeeper in reply to Otto11]

Unpicked the elastic and it now takes 2 Orencia pens very pleased with it bought from diabetes Uk no vat paid

Orencia Pen in the MediGenix Coolmeds 2-8 bag after some minor alterations

[Tobymax35]

hi I’m carol I use a biological injection erelzi I bought a proper pack to take on holiday I bought it from Medicare online it does it’s job for some hours with ice packs in it it wasn’t cheap but it’s the proper item I will take a picture of it t moro and messenger it on to you if you want me to

[Lighthousekeeper in reply to Tobymax35]

thank you.

[Jackie1947]

Amazon is where I bought mine

[lucymead]

I have been travelling with my zip bag bought on internet 4 years ago. Used for BENAPALI AND Orencia . put click jet pen in the search finder , You will be surprised how many there are. use a small fridge thermometer to check temperature. have a great time away. I am off to Morocco on a cruise in February 2023.