Travel to Italy?

[MountainWanderer]

Hi.

Everyone has been so helpful. I have a question about travel.

I am currently taking pregabalin and clonazepan and am traveling to Italy. Has anyone had any experience traveling to Italy with controlled substances?

Thank you in advance.

[SueJohnson]

International travelers entering Italy and carrying medical preparations containing internationally controlled drugs must hold a certificate as evidence that the medications were lawfully obtained in their country of departure.

The certificate should be issued by a general practitioner (GP) or a pediatrician and must include the following information:

Country and place of issue

Prescribing physician’s details (name, address, license number)

Patient’s details (name, sex, date of birth, passport or identity card number, intended country of destination)

Details of the prescribed medical preparation (trade name, active substance, dosage, quantity, duration of prescription)

Issuing authority’s information (official designation, address, seal, signature)

This certificate, based on a valid medical prescription, should be in your possession during your stay in Italy and available for presentation to authorities.

If you’re leaving Italy and carrying small quantities of preparations containing controlled substances, you’ll need a document as evidence that the medications were lawfully obtained in your country of departure.

Always carry duplicate copies of this document, and keep one in your hand luggage along with your passport.

Make a list of the medications you’re carrying (including syringes, lancets, and insulin) and present them along with your passport and medical certificate. This will facilitate your passage through customs.

Remember to check your airline’s regulations regarding carrying medications in your hand luggage. Additionally, ensure that the expiry dates of your medicines are valid for the duration of your visit abroad

[MountainWanderer in reply to SueJohnson]

Thank you, Sue, for your detailed response. I'm going to request a letter with this information from my doctor.

[Joolsg]

I have visited Italy in 2017 and 2019 when taking Oxycontin and pregabalin. I asked my GP for a letter confirming I had been prescribed the medication. I carried the meds in my hand luggage.I had no issues whatsover.

[MountainWanderer in reply to Joolsg]

Thank you, Joolsg. That's reassuring!

[ziggypiggy in reply to Joolsg]

Maybe it's just my paranoia and anxiety talking. But i would also have a 2 to 3 day supply of my must needs meds in my luggage as well and let them know i do. If for some reason my carry on is stolen or misplaced I at least have a fighting chance to figure out what to do next.

[Joolsg in reply to ziggypiggy]

Actually, I do the same. Emergency supply in my hold luggage, just in case of theft.

[MountainWanderer in reply to ziggypiggy]

Smart. The one thing you don’t want to be without.

[MountainWanderer in reply to ziggypiggy]

Good advice. Not paranoia!

[Bramble2000]

You should be fine. Take a copy of your repeat meds list and a letter from your GP. I travelled to and from Italy many times with Oramorph without any problem.

[MountainWanderer in reply to Bramble2000]

Thanks!

[Simkin]

I go to Italy every year & have never had a problem.As Joolsg says always carry drugs in hand luggage with your prescription.

[MountainWanderer in reply to Simkin]

Thank you!

[Simkin in reply to MountainWanderer]

More scary than Italy is flying to the States with buprenorphine alongside gabapentin in my hand luggage.I always have my prescription with me and so far so good ..........!!!

I will report back in May!

[Strike26]

hi - travelled to Italy many times with all my meds in my carry on bag. Was checked once, had my script list with the meds and made sure to take each one in their sealed pack- no problem at all with security. Enjoy your trip.

[Strike26 in reply to Strike26]

Meant to add- I forgot one of my heart meds on a holiday in Italy. The hotel gave me a doctor’s name, I made an appointment 2 hours later and had a prescription filled an hour after that.

My wife had an allergic reaction to mosquito bites - the pharmacist diagnosed and prescribed antibiotic cream. No need for a doctor, no hassle, just excellent healthcare (and the same on our trips to Ireland).

[MountainWanderer in reply to Strike26]

Good to know. Thanks!