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Even for seasoned travelers, navigating international customs (and even domestic TSA) can be somewhat nerve-racking. Will the slices of Italian prosciutto tucked between your T-shirts make it through? Will you get in trouble for the banana at the bottom of your carry-on? While these kinds of situations can be disappointing or stressful, they also have a certain comedic quality about them.
Less funny? When the thing taken at customs is your prescription medication. Whether you use it for a chronic condition like high cholesterol or ulcerative colitis, or you have something like an EpiPen in case of an emergency, having these medications with you on your trip is a necessity. Here’s what you need to know to make sure your meds make it to the final destination.
1. Make sure it’s legal
Before booking anything related to your trip, make sure your medications are legal in the country you want to visit. Some drugs readily available in the U.S. are against the law to have in other countries. “A classic example is stimulants prescribed to people with ADHD,” says Eddy Bajrovic, who holds a bachelor of medicine, bachelor of surgery and is the medical director of Travelvax Australia, a travel medicine service. “Stimulants are illegal in quite a number of countries, including Japan.”
Start by visiting the International Narcotics Control Board website, which provides lists by country detailing what is and isn’t allowed. You could also check directly with the foreign embassy of the country you will be entering. Remember: Don’t just confirm your meds are safe to bring into your final destination—also check any countries where you have layovers. And if a country you want to visit doesn’t allow your prescription medication, it’s up to you whether you still want to travel there or not. “You have to decide if you can manage without your medications for the trip,” says Bajrovic. Your health care provider will be able to discuss your options with you. For example, there may be another medication that isn’t a controlled substance that you could take instead while traveling.
2. Pack a doctor’s note
Even if a medication is legal, you’re going to want to follow a few “best practices” to ensure you don’t hit any snags. For one thing, avoid tossing your meds into a travel-friendly pill case, as they can make it difficult for authorities to identify the drugs. (You can still bring one with you, though! They’re great for carrying a few pills when you’re out and about, once you’ve reached your destination.) “Generally speaking, have the medication in its original packaging, whether it’s a box or a bottle, since it has a sticker on it saying who prescribed it, your name, and dosage instructions,” Bajrovic says. “And it’s probably a good idea to carry a copy of the written prescription as well, or, if you don’t have that, at least a letter from your doctor saying you’re carrying X medication for X disease or condition.” This can be especially important if you take an injectable medication for conditions like ulcerative colitis or type 2 diabetes, since you’ll be traveling with a needle. In the letter from your doctor, make sure the medication is described by its generic name, since different countries have different brand names.
3. Bring the right amount
You don’t want to bring too little or too much of your medication. “Most countries allow you to bring up to a three-month supply, but if it’s a narcotic or stimulant or psychotropic medication, you might only be allowed to bring in 30 days,” says Bajrovic. His advice: Take enough for the length of your trip with a few days extra in case of a flight delay.
4. Be open about what you have
This may sound obvious, but when going through customs, you should declare any medication you are carrying. “A lot of people don’t mention it if it’s something basic like blood pressure medication or an anti-inflammatory for arthritis, but if it’s something that might be illegal and you aren’t entirely sure, you must declare it,” says Bajrovic. A few you should absolutely speak up about: medical marijuana, certain decongestants, and amphetamines. “If something is illegal—even if you didn’t know—and don’t declare it, you can be arrested,” he says.
5. Don’t forget about domestic flights
Even if you aren’t traveling internationally, you may still need to take a few precautions if you’re bringing more than 3.4 ounces of a liquid medication through TSA. Let the agent know at security, as they may need to do some additional screening before allowing you through.
While doing all this advanced work can seem like a lot, it beats the alternative: not having your medication with you on your trip (or worse, getting fined or detained because of something in your suitcase).
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