prescription drugs traveling

Much debated subject. Chances are, no one will ever check. It also depends on what types of prescription meds. The typical statins and run of the mill meds, no issues. If you take opioid/opiate pain killers then be much more wary, if you take meds for depression or ADHD that are classed as stimulants, then maybe big issues (as in they are illegal in many European countries.)

I would say pack as you wish, but have copies of prescriptions, and if a critical med (like can't go a day without) or in the pain killer or stimulant class above, have a letter from your doctor detailing what you are prescribed and why.

The concern is not really border officials questioning you, it is more the case where you might need replacement meds due to losing or ruining what you have.

I would also take only what you need plus a few days buffer, so if going for 2 weeks, take 18 days worth, not a 90 day supply.

It’s always best to check the rules for each country you will be visiting as they are all different.

Here are the requirements for bringing medicine into the UK as you specifically mentioned London:

https://www.gov.uk/take-medicine-in-or-out-uk

The big issue is the probability of anyone checking or asking is zero. Once past immigration, who is only concerned about your passport, you walk through the green door that says, Nothing to Declare. The bigger issue will be getting back into the US. There your luggage may be checked and sometimes carefully. If it is run-of-the-mill, generic medication with a small amount of pills. No problem. If it is a controlled substance medication, then you should document it with Rx labels and perhaps letter.

If the big issue is "will you get caught," the answer is no, unless you are. In that case, show the officials this thread and everything should be fine.

If the big issue is "conformance with the rules and laws of your host country," you might need to do some research on each country you are visiting. If you come up short, keeping your meds in the original containers that have the prescription labels will probably keep you in compliance except with certain controlled drugs, the list of which may vary by country and which may include drugs you would have no idea could be an issue.

https://nonuttraveler.com/allergy-medication-confiscated-by-security-at-london-heathrow-airport

I normally pack my prescription med's in my carry-on luggage in their labelled bottles from the pharmacy, and no one has ever looked at them, or asked any questions. AFAIK, none of my med's contain any narcotics or other banned substances, so even if they were checked there likely wouldn't be a problem. However, it's a good idea to check if there are any restrictions on your med's for whichever countries you'll be visiting.

You may find this helpful - https://www.ricksteves.com/travel-tips/packing-light/ricks-packing-list .

It's not about whether or not you're going to get stopped it's about having documentation to prove what the medication is and it's prescribed to you.

"Original containers" come in all different shapes and sizes depending on which country you got them.

Customs officers don't care about your generic cholesterol or blood pressure drugs as long as you don't bring a years supply for a two week trip. They want to know that the medication was prescribed to you. The prescirption label on bottles gives everything they want to know....your name, name of medication, doctor's name, prescribing information. As long as you have that information, you'll be okay for non-narcotic, non-controlled substance. They are really not going to arrest you or confiscate your statin drugs.

If you have controlled substances or narcotic type drugs, it might be best to keep those in the original container with the prescribing information attached. These will pique the interest of the officers more than the others.

One last thing, make sure there are no limits to how many drugs you can bring in (Japan) or even if your prescriptions are allowed in the counties you'll be visiitng. (Some European countries ban some ADHD drugs.)

Frank made a great point.
I take four prescriptions for blood pressure, cholesterol and reducing inflammation for my back.

I don't have narcotic drugs or oxy. If I did, I would take documents proving I needed it.

We have been all over the World, visiting 83 foreign countries and NEVER had to show a written prescription. In fact, I have never had a written prescription, since my physicians call them in to the pharmacy. Never had a problem.

I lived and traveled in Europe for two decades. I leave drugs in original bottles. I’ve also carried paper script(s) with me to refill prescriptions in Europe. So far I’ve only done it in Germany and France. Can’t speak to what to do in Italy or UK.

Because most of this will be in your carryon, you should be prepared if someone questions anything. Because anyone of authority in an airport can, at any time.

Meaning original bottle or prescription/letter from a doctor.

One personal opinion on the subject from an old-fart that would be dead if not for his meds.

Why: In my view good traveler complies with the laws of the host countries. Its not about getting caught or not getting caught -- AND -- as the meds do literally keep me alive, I do everything possible to ensure that nothing happens to them. I have checked the rules in a very few EU countries and in those few, for packaging and for transport, they are the same as in the EU/Schengen country that I live. But the rules here are so restrictive and comprehensive that I don’t really know what more anyone could expect of you, so this is my standard when I am too lazy to research.

The Rule: You must have the medicine in the original packaging, and you must have a letter from the doctor attesting to the fact that he has prescribed the medicine for you. All letters from doctors must be signed and have a few stamps on them to be legitimate. No stamp, no good.

The Logic: Prescriptions are confiscated by the pharmacy when they are filled, so you cannot carry your prescription. This is probably why the letter is required. Almost all drugs here are sold in bubble packs. Each bubble pack has the name of the drug on it. There is never a question in anyone’s mind what drugs you are carrying. Letter from doctor plus bubble pack equals nearly 100% certainty of the legitimacy of your meds.

The US Delima: In the US the prescription is called into the pharmacy, and you receive an unsealed bottle with the prescription label with no authenticating stamps. You might also have the pharmacy receipt that has the prescription written on it, but no stamps. Still, there is no assurance that what is in the bottle is the same as what is on the label, which weakens any certainty about the legitimacy of your meds. BUT this is as close to meeting the standards of my country as a US citizen can get and I would hope that the local officials know and respect that.

Making things Worse: Now you want to take the meds out of the bottles with the prescription labels and put them in zip bags? As most tourists in Europe are Europeans, and I suspect don’t mess with punching pills out of bubble packs to fill zip bags, now you are doing something that is going to be contrary to what the inspectors most often see. That could draw additional attention and get your heart meds tossed in the trash.

Finally: Do carry your printed prescription from the pharmacy and if you have a report from the doctor detailing your condition, carry that too. This way, when your meds do get confiscated, you can make an appointment with a local doctor to get a new prescription. Also be aware that not all meds sold in the US are available in Europe … and it can vary by country within the EU. I have two meds that are legal in Hungary, but are not sold in Hungary, so I must purchase them in Vienna. Do you really want to go through this on holiday? A few pill bottles don’t take up much space. Ask your pharmacist to put your three-month supply in 3 separate bottles. Mine has done that for me in the past. That way you have smaller bottles.