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We've always said don't check anything you can't afford to loose, and that included packing medications in your carry-on whether your trip is domestic or international...
But wait...
It's all over the news that you can't take liquids, creams or gels... or that you can only carry a small amount.
What are you supposed to do?The short answer is you CAN carry the prescriptions you need in your carry-on luggage but there are rules to follow. Check with the TSA website on what items are permitted and which are prohibited.
You WILL be able to take your medications.
We always say that you can get almost anything you need almost anywhere in the world, but we'll also tell you to take enough medications to get you through your trip and a few days beyond.
In the first day or two after the latest security alert levels were raised, some of the rules were pretty draconian. All you could carry leaving London was your ticket, passport and a small wallet in a clear plastic bag. The rules have become more practical since then. Small amounts of liquids, gels or creams, are now allowed and packing medications in your carry-on luggage OK... as long as you follow the rules.
Guide for Packing Medications...
The TSA will now allow all prescription and over-the-counter medications including KY jelly, eye drops and saline solution for medical purposes. These may be liquids, gels and aerosols. Additional items that are allowed are:- Juice or liquid nutrition products for passengers with a medical condition
- Gel-filled bras and similar prosthetics.
- Gel-filled wheelchair cushions.
- Small amounts of baby formula and baby food if a baby or small child is traveling
- Gels or frozen liquids need to cool items used by passengers with medical conditions.
If you are flying out of the UK, the allowance for packing medications in your carry-on luggage is for a "quantity essential for your trip".
They are still encouraging passengers to carry on only small necessary amounts of liquid or gel medications and pack the rest in checked luggage. Remember to make sure that bottles and tubes are tightly closed when packing medication. Wrap them in zip lock plastic bags and make sure they are cushioned by your clothes.
Prescriptions of all types whether pills, liquids, sprays or creams should be packed in their original, labeled containers. The name on the prescription should be yours and match your passport and ticket. This is not a requirement, but it could save some trouble with the TSA or customs in another country. The TSA also recommends that you bring along a letter from your doctor or some sort of supporting documentation for the medication you need to carry on.
It's always a good idea to carry copies of your written prescriptions. If anything gets lost or broken, you can get the prescription filled at your destination. On our international travel health tips page I told you that pharmacists everywhere are very helpful. Carry prescriptions for your glasses as well. You shouldn't have as much trouble with your glasses as you do packing medications, but in case you break them, you can get them replaced if necessary.
Having that written copy of your prescription and getting your own medication sure beats trying to get something whipped up by the local medicine man. While many of our modern medications may have come from the wild, llama fetuses in Bolivia and monkey skulls in Mali will probably never take the place of your pills!
Got your attentions didn't I? We take this seriously, and you should too. You want to stay healthy. Hopefully packing medications carefully and in compliance with the new regulations will keep them from getting confiscated or broken. Being prepared in case something happens will let you get medications replaced if you have to and get on with enjoying your trip.
If it does come to getting your medications replaced, ask at the airport information booth or at your hotel about pharmacies. You can always look for one on your own... the sign may say Farmacia (no it's not a store for animals) or have a green cross or the symbol of a mortal and pestle. Use some common sense and imagination. The shop may look old with antique counters, walls of drawers with enamel plaques on them and bottles of dried herbs, but there will be modern medicines available.
This is just a general guide to packing medications in this new world of travel with heightened security. Check with the
Transportation Security Administration website
for the latest, full and complete description of items which are permitted and which are prohibited. We'd rather you could carry all of your medications with you, but you can't. Follow these tips and all in all, packing medications for your international trip or for domestic travel with the latest security alerts in mind won't be so bad.
Happy travels... even if you don't travel the world... just remember that life is a journey... embrace and enjoy it! Judy and Mark
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