OTC & Prescription medications

Stick deodorant is a solid (a chunk of it would not conform to the shape of a new container) and does not have to go in your 3-1-1 bag.

https://www.tsa.gov/travel/security-screening/whatcanibring/items/deodorant-solid

Your pharmacy may be able to provide you with a list of your medications or another prescription sticker/label that you could put onto another container (my parents have done this).

I have made so many trips to Europe that I long ago lost count, including one on 3/24/24, during which we had to change at Heathrow. We have never been asked about our prescription meds.

Is your prescription in liquid form or are you carrying over 100 ml? If so you just need a copy of the prescription. We’ve been thru Heathrow numerous times in the last couple of years. I carry my prescription pills in a plastic case in my carryon and not been asked about it.

I’ve flown into and out of Heathrow numerous times, including this month, and I have never been asked about my medications. I do not keep them in the original bottles. I either use a small plastic bottle or plastic bag.

I fly in and out of Heathrow several times a year and carry a daily pill box with all my medication in my hand luggage. I don't even take it out of the bag when placed in the scanner and not once has it been an issue.

The UK, who has jurisdiction says: https://www.gov.uk/take-medicine-in-or-out-uk#:~:text=Bringing%20medicine%20to%20the%20UK,medicine%20was%20prescribed%20for%20you.

If you dont follow the rules, I suspect that you will have the exact same experience as those in the posts above.
Then again if something does go wrong, and you do get checked, and they do want to make your life miserable; please make sure that you have a printed copy of this forum thread to show them. That will make all the differece in the world (oh, edit out my response).

I have had my medications looked at one time at LHR (EDIT: my traveling companion just corrected me, it was CDG, but same point). Many, many years ago, something was going on that causeed heightended security concerns (no idea what) so they looked in everyones carry on at the gate. In my carryon were a my pill bottles in a plastic bag. They did pull it out and it got some scrunity. Maybe 5 seconds worth.

I fly in and out of Heathrow many times a year. Unfortunately, due to health issues and the length of my trips, I take a lot of medication with me. It almost fills a small RS packing cube as some of the pills I take are the size of horse pills. The entire package weighs 4 lbs at the start.

I put most of the pills in ziploc bags. I also use a weekly pill container. I make sure I have a copy of each prescription should I be stopped. (You can ask your pharmacy to print them out.)

No one has ever stopped or questioned me about this at Heathrow or anywhere else.

I also use stick deodorant. The only time I ever got questioned was at the old Berlin airport. The security officer pointed to it on the xray screen, I said "solid," he nodded and sent me through. It wasn't in the 3-1-1 bag and doesn't have to be.

They are really not looking for legitimate prescription medication. Just make sure you have copies of the prescriptions. While it's not illegal to travel with prescription medication without the prescriptoin, if you can't prove what they are, they may test everyone and that could take a long time.

Now, if any are narcotic or controlled substances, then I would keep them in the original container.

As for OTC meds, I keep some in the original container and others I put into small bags. But those bags are clearly marked.

Frank II, I think you understand that my issue here has nothing to do what you and I do. So I didn’t mention what I do.

What is the point is that if I give someone the impression that disregarding the law is common with no consequences, well, I just dont want it on my conscience if a one in 100,000 does happen.

And stating what I do might be construed as encouraging breaking the law which I believe is on the RS list of things you can’t do here.

I am certain, like you, that they have bigger issues than someone's meds, but if they did have an issue, they aren’t going to test them. They will confiscate them at best, put you in a little room for questioning at worst.

Yeah, I am probably a bit of an unreasonable stickler on the topic of being overly cautious on advice when legal things or contractural obligations, both with consequences, are in question.

So let me expand on my answer. I put my stuff in little baggies. I carry copies of the prescriptions. I think at that point I have met the intent of the UK rules. i am not an attorney and the security guys have a lot of latitude and I realize that this isnt as certain a solution as leaving then in the bottles and having the documents that the UK requests. I realize that on the odd chance that some security guy has a bug up his ass and wants to make a deal that I will miss my connection and probalby lose my meds causing me to have to go hunt down a doctor in a strange country to get them replaced. Two of my meds can litteraly keep me alive under certain circumstances so its sort of a big deal; but I still walk the margin a bit.

EDIT: Have a read. https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/uk-news/heathrow-airport-confiscated-grans-vital-26015363
And remember we have no idea what the OP is bringing and for what condition. Best to go to that UK link i put above.

For most medications, you should have no issue, but I think most overlook a couple things,

1. From your Doctor, get a simple letter (basically like what is described in one of the links above) that lists the medications they have prescribed, unit size, and dosage. For good measure, have them sign it and on their letterhead. A prescription label will suffice in most cases, but the more meds you have, better to have a bit more information.

2. Take particular care with any Control medications (usually pain meds). In the letter above, I would have the Dr. indicate the reason prescribed as well. A second class of meds to be careful with are those related to amphetamines, usually for ADHD, Depression, and other issues. In most European countries, these are outright illegal, I would have even more documentation for those.

3. While most European countries do not have much more specific rules, it is always good to do some "Googling", countries like Japan and Thailand have very specific rules and procedures.

Also, do not bring much more than you need, if going on a two week trip, bring two weeks plus a buffer, maybe a few days to a week, not a 90 day supply.

The biggest concern is not customs stopping you, Security would be more likely, but the biggest concern would be losing your meds, dropping them down the sink, a bag disappearing, and needing to get more. The more critical the meds to your health, the more care I would take. Getting replacements would mean seeing a Dr. in the relevant country, and them trying their best to match what was prescribed, that Dr. knowing exactly what and how much you were taking, and why, goes a long way to getting what you need. You actual prescription is "information only" over there, no good for a refill.

You are correct Paul, and all of that and a bit more is spelled out here: https://www.gov.uk/take-medicine-in-or-out-uk#:%7E:text=Bringing%20medicine%20to%20the%20UK,medicine%20was%20prescribed%20for%20you

Bottom line is that if you have medicines that are "controlled drugs" as defined by UK law, there are specific legal requirements as documented by our helpful posters above. Liquid meds have different requirements that need to be met in order to supersede the usual liquid volume limitations; see https://www.heathrow-airport-guide.co.uk/medical-care.html.

Otherwise the UK doesn't care what meds you bring in.

This has really gotten crazy.

Security does not care about pills. Their job is to make sure you are not bringing anything on board that could be harmful to the flight. They are concerned with liquids. If you are bringing more than 100ml of any liquid medication, then you need certain documentation.

Customs is looking for people trying to smuggle illegal drugs into the country and not your generic blood pressure medication. As long as you have documentation for each drug you take, it really doesn't matter what container you bring them in since "original containers" vary by country.

If you are bringing in a narcotic or controlled substance, then you need to know the rules for the countries you are entering. In this case the medication being in its original container, and having a copy of the prescription (the label attached should have alll the information needed), should be enough. As long, of course, that the medication is legal in that country and you are not going over any limits for the number involved. This should also cover anything injectable.

For any medication, take only what you need plus a few extra as a buffer. If you are on a two week trip and you have a 90 day supply of everything, they may question it.

Of course, there are instances where an OTC med in my country is prescription only in the country I am visiting. This is a gray area and I have no experience with what might happen. Usually, since it is OTC in your country, they allow it.

When I was training to be a tour director years ago, part of that training included spending a day with Customs and Immigration at LAX observing what they were doing. This way, we could easily be able to move groups in and out of the country. Officers were asked why it was suggested to keep prescription meds in their original containners. They said because the prescription itself was attached. They want to see the prescription. And the name on the prescription better match yours.

The Heathrow website spells out everything you need to know:

https://www.heathrow.com/at-the-airport/security-and-baggage/hand-baggage-and-liquids

The following exceptions may be made to the 100ml rule:

Baby food or baby milk: breast milk can be carried in the cabin; when it is stored in a clear, transparent container or bag. Flasks cannot be permitted. The volume of each container / bag should not exceed 2litres. Breast milk should be in a liquid format and not frozen. When travelling without an infant only breast milk can be carried in quantities greater than 100ml, this does not apply to formula milk or other baby juice / food. Please check with your airline as individual hand baggage allowance can vary.

You may also wish to take advantage of our pre-order service for collection after security by calling us on 0800 678 5324 or email us.

Liquid medicines: You are only permitted to carry quantities of liquid medication in excess of your personal liquid allowance where it is needed during the course of your flight. All medication should be accompanied by documentary proof of authenticity, such as a prescription or letter from a medical practitioner confirming that you need them for your journey. Liquid medication that is not required on the flight should be carried as hold luggage. Find out more about travelling with medicines.

I'm locking this thread and adding our company response below. As others have said, in the vast majority of instances you will not be asked for this documentation, but it's important to have it just in case.

Short version: 
If you're bringing medications, it's important to have them properly documented in case of inspection at customs or airport security. Using the original containers may not be practical if the containers are very large, or if you have several. In that case, you might bring a letter from your doctor listing your medications, and/or a copy of your prescriptions. In case you need to replace or refill a prescription while you're traveling, the copy usually cannot be filled by a foreign pharmacy but will be useful to a local doctor who can write a similar prescription. Be sure to keep your documents and medication with you in your hand luggage, rather than checked luggage, in case your bag doesn’t show up with the plane when you do! 
 
Detailed version: 

When packing medication for a trip, here are a few basic rules to follow: 

First, make sure you carry all your important prescription medication on the plane with you so that it's not confiscated or lost if your luggage is delayed. We encourage you to pack light, fitting all your things into one carry-on size bag, which, hopefully, your medication will fit into. If it doesn’t, pack it in a separate small bag and keep that bag with you. Keep in mind that many airlines allow only one carry-on; so, if you have two bags, you may have to check one (again, don’t check your important medication). 

Second, try to carry all your medications in their original containers. If those containers are too large for travel, ask your pharmacy to label smaller bottles with "official" labels that name the medication. Additionally, have copies of the original prescriptions with you. Your doctor can help with this (but ask him or her to please use legible handwriting). Also, ask him or her to put the generic names for the medicines in the event they don’t have a specific brand where you are traveling. Pharmacies in foreign countries often do not honor prescriptions from outside their borders, but if you need replacement medicine, the prescriptions will give guidance and contact info to the local doctor. Of course, having the properly labeled containers and prescriptions also helps you get through customs/security in airports—you don’t want the customs agents to think you are carrying illegal drugs. 

Third, carry extra medication. If you're going on a three-week trip, take enough for four weeks. You want to be prepared should your flight home be delayed due to weather or other unforeseen circumstances.  

A good organization to check out is International Association for Medical Assistance to Travelers (http://www.iamat.org/index.cfm; 716-754-4883). They have an online database and publish a pocket-sized booklet that lists English-speaking doctors in most countries and major cities. They also give information on recommended vaccines or other medical information. 

When it comes to vitamins, again, you will want to make sure you have the original containers as loose vitamins in a plastic bag could be any kind of illegal drug in the eyes of airport security.  
 
Hopefully this helps!