Prescriptions

No you do not need to bring your prescription bottles. Just put them in the containers you usually use if you want. I put mine in tiny little Ziploc bags that are labeled.

What I would do though, is have ready access to something that shows the prescriptions. For example I can pull up MyChart on my phone and show my prescriptions there. Some people prefer to just print out a copy of their prescriptions or even just take a photo of the prescription bottles. Whichever is easiest for you. That said, chances are you won’t be asked for it unless you are bringing opioids along.

The law in every country may vary a little. Several countries in Europe have the same rule as mine, and it is very specific and comprehensive enough that I suspect if you comply here you will comply in all of Europe; but no guarantee, so check each country you are entering.

Here, the medication must be in the original packaging. You must have a letter from the doctor for the use of the medication; but I am going to stick my neck out and say that is because prescriptions in some countries are confiscated when filled at the pharmacy and if you are carrying a US prescription that will suffice for the doctor's letter. Then each country will have a list of banned medication or medication with other requirements to be brought in. Be careful because there are US over the counter meds and meds other than narcotics that can have additional limitations.

I would carry the printed paperwork. If you do need it, screwing with a phone might not be a great solution.

Can you put everything in little baggies and forget the rest? Sure, the odds of getting caught or them caring if you are caught are very low. But the forum has a rule against encouraging people to break the law.

I take 9 prescriptions. When I would get them in the US I asked the pharmacy to use multiple small bottles. They had no problem doung that for me. I always complied.

In Europe, not without exception, but most often when you fill your prescription at the pharmacy, the prescription is retained by the pharmacy. Hence the need for a doctor’s letter. If you do have the prescription, then it generally contains the information required in the doctor’s letter so that might suffice.

Most often medication in Europe comes in tamper proof bubble packs, not open bottles. The bubble packs, even when taken out of the box that they come in, identify the medicine. You are coming from the US with pills in an open bottle. You are already outside the requirement intended in the law. Now you are going to put the meds in little baggies. No one ever gets stopped, but if you are the exception, you might as well expect it to be taken from you. It’s not the guard’s responsibility to research the size and color of a pill in a baggie to determine if you are telling the truth.

Where the letter and the original packaging is required for entry into the country, it is required because those who wrote the law thought it fitting, no other reason.

This subject always comes down to what does the local law require vs what can I get away with. Most apparently lean to the side of what they can get away with. To be honest, I have only read one news article where that backfired on someone. Just don’t cry if you become the second new article. At the very least I would print out this forum thread so you can show it if you are caught.

Great advice. I have never been asked to explain my meds that I carry in the weekly container. You mentioned putting them in your suitcase which is something I would never do. If the suitcase is lost or delayed you would have a problem. I always take them on the plane with me. Good luck and don't worry.

Not directly your question but if it helps here you can find as example the original German customs (Zoll) regulations for medicinal products and narcotics:
https://www.zoll.de/EN/Private-individuals/Travel/Entering-Germany/Restrictions/Medicinal-products-and-narcotics/medicinal-products-and-narcotics_node.html

For other countries you will find separate regulations.

These are not “official” websites (I was too lazy to look). But they will give you an idea of the general consensus of people who might be held liable for telling you wrong LOL.

https://schengeninsuranceinfo.com/travel-health-safety/travelling-with-medication-in-eu/
https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/page/travel-abroad-with-medicine
https://www.sozialministerium.gv.at/en/Topics/Health/Information-for-travellers/Bringing-medication-to-Austria.html
https://gogofrance.com/en/blog/bring-medication-to-france/

If you are pulled over for a check, Customs is not out to confiscate your cholesterol medication. What they want to know is:

--what the medication is;

--is it prescribed to you;

--who prescribed it (name of doctor);

--dosage;

--date of prescription;

The reason it says in the original container is because a label is usually attached to that container with all the information. But original containers are different in every country.

Put your meds in whatever container you want but have a copy of the label that shows all the information above. Ask your pharmacy to print out the label attached to your containers.

Two caveats:

--if any of your meds are narcotic or controlled substance then keep them in the original container and definitely have paperwork for these. An extra doctor's note wouldn't hurt; (It's these that customs are most concerned about.)

--only bring enough for your trip and a few extra days. If your trip is two weeks and you bring six months, they are not going to be happy as they will think you might be trying to sell them.

I travel for months at a time and have to take lots of meds with me when I leave. I decant into ziploc bags and also use a weekly pill case. In all the airports I've gone through and all the countries I've entered, none has ever asked or stopped.

One last thing...make sure the medications you are taking are allowed where you are going. As an example, some ADHD drugs are banned in Europe. Some countries have a limit as to the amount of medication you can bring in. (None I know of in Europe.)

--

No you do not need to bring your prescription bottles.

I’m always disappointed when I read this on the forum, because it is just not accurate.

As mentioned above, it depends on the country you are traveling to and what type of meds you wish to bring.

Carrie, here is a issue I didnt even know about: https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/whats-on/travel-tourism/little-known-medication-rule-could-32153116

I'd like to hear from. one person who has ever been asked any questions about prescribed medication in pill or tablet form, upon arrival in Western Europe.

What percentage of Western travelers even have to go through custom's upon arrival in Western European countries? My guess is that it's in single digits.

I mix up my prescribed drugs and a few supplements In a couple of large pill bottles that I label with the contents.
I've been doing this for decades. The only place I've ever been questioned was Japan, when they confiscated Afrin nasal spray which is, or was, apparently banned in Japan.

I was stopped when outbound at Heathrow because I had medically-necessary liquids in a second quart-sized Zip Lock bag. The agent was very nice and helped me cram them into my other (toiletry) Zip Lock bag, permitting me to go through security even though the now-solo bag wouldn't quite zip up. It is definitely the case that medical liquids don't automatically get a free pass everywhere, as they do in the US. (Full disclosure: The "toiletry" bag was mostly full of small glass jars of mustard.)

This subject comes up often, and every discussion is pretty much the same. There are the rules (country-specific to some degree), and there's what happens in the real world. The problem with focusing solely on other travelers' experiences is that if someone decides to enforce the rules as written (in at least some countries), your critical medication could be seized--and there goes your trip--or at the least you're going to have to scramble to get an appointment with a doctor who will write prescriptions to be filled locally. This possibility may be mostly theoretical, but it does exist.

Japan is very strict on inhalants. Not just nasal spray but any kind of inhaler like a Vicks Nasal Stick.

They also limit how much medication you can bring in. A 30 day supply for prescription meds and a 60 day supply for non-prescripion meds. If you want to bring more, you need to fill out a customs declaration, have your doctor fill out a part as well, and send it to Japan for approval.

I learned the hard way to not just bring supplements in a ziplock bag....well, or put remaining pills away---don't save for the next trip. Upon return, my travel items were in a spare room. One day the dog got into the room and chewed into the ziploc with remaining supplements and OTC. I don't think there prescriptions (were either used or in a separate prescription bottle.) I think it was the possible ingestion of ibuprofen that necessitated having the dog's stomach pumped-- because we did not know what, if anything, he had ingested. A plastic dosage container would have been equally attractive to him.

I've been travelling with medication in a weekly pill box for years without any issues whatsoever. I do have an app on my phone linked to my GP records and all medication that I am prescribed is listed there should I need to provide evidence of prescription.

...like to hear from. one person who has ever been asked any questions about prescribed medication in pill or tablet form, upon arrival in Western Europe...

Not trying to stir up anything, really. Just sincerely would like to know. Has anybody going to Western Europe every had a bad experience using labeled zip baggies and having data sheets to show who and what the meds are for?

Why so narrow? https://www.worldatlas.com/geography/western-european-countries-v2.html

The standard has never been only follow the laws and rules if you think you might get caught.

I learned the hard way to not just bring supplements in a ziplock bag....well, or put remaining pills away---don't save for the next trip. Upon return, my travel items were in a spare room. One day the dog got into the room and chewed into the ziploc with remaining supplements and OTC. I don't think there prescriptions (were either used or in a separate prescription bottle.) I think it was the possible ingestion of ibuprofen that necessitated having the dog's stomach pumped-- because we did not know what, if anything, he had ingested. A plastic dosage container would have been equally attractive to him.

I've learned not to leave a toiletry bag on the floor when I return home. Our miniature poodle was smart enough to unzip it and actually unscrew the tube of toothpaste. She managed to squeeze out most of it and must have consumed it as only a few streaks were on her face. I suppose she liked the taste? Then again she was also the one who chewed up my expensive high index progressive lenses. The westie and mini dachshund were never that clever but often just as destructive.

When checking various government websites it is easy to note they're most concerned with controlled substances and narcotics
https://www.gov.uk/take-medicine-in-or-out-uk
https://www.government.nl/topics/medicines/question-and-answer/can-i-take-my-medication-abroad
https://www.eu-healthcare.fi/medicines/taking-medicines-abroad
For the UK they are addressing controlled substances. Netherlands they're addressing the Opium Act. Finland it is narcotics and medication that effect the central nervous system.

I've done pretty good not inviting the Man into my life. None of my medications are narcotics or controlled substances, and my pharmacist is really good about providing their smallest prescription bottles with prescription labels, so that I can take with me only enough medication for my travels. And then the pharmacy prescription management portal has all the other information that any authorities could want.

and my pharmacist is really good about providing their smallest
prescription bottles with prescription labels, so that I can take with
me only enough medication for my travels.

It really is that easy.

What is the difference between a small prescription bottle with X number of pills and a prescription label attached and a small ziploc bag with X number of pills and the same prescription label attached?

If we are only supposed to take "original containers" then both of the above are no good since most prescriptions come in manufacturers bottles and are then decanted into the little orange containers. The manufacturers bottles are the "original containers" and for some medications they come in large bottles that may hold 1000 pills.

I also wanted to see if Hungary is that strict with bringing in medication. They're not. Oh, lots of rules on narcotics and controlled substances but this is what is said about non-narcotic, non-controlled substances:

Travelling with medicines that are not Controlled Drugs
When a person under medical treatment with a medicine that does not classified as controlled substance enters the territory of Hungary, no special permit or certificate is required.

No mentions of original containers. No mention of anything.

This is where I got the information:

https://ogyei.gov.hu/travelling_with_medicine

“Everything's already been said, but since nobody was listening, we
have to start again.” ― Andre Gide

I’ve come to appreciate Frank II's advice on most things. His internet accuracy score is higher than mine (although given my less than stellar marks that may not be the highest praise.) His commonsense positions are generally spot on.

This prescription thread keeps reappearing and the same points are made over and over. But one point is often overlooked:

"Guess what! I've got a fever, and the only prescription is more
cowbell!" —music producer "The" Bruce Dickinson

Happy travels

Frank II. I will give you this, and that is what I advocate for is not always what I personally do. So why the difference? Because I never give advice that I am not prepared to be responsible for the outcome of. And I am not prepared to be responsible if I tell people to put stuff in baggies and 1 in a million ends up having meds confiscated and heading home to get lifesaving medication.

The comment on the packaging is a bit disappointing. I know you are smarter than that.

Hungarian law. I believe you are incorrect. What you provided has to do with the need for certificates with narcotics. But it does illustrate that trying to cut corners can get you in trouble and it would be smarter to just carry them in a manner that is universally legally and fool proof.

Finally, find me one professional source that says taking your pills out of the bottles and put them in little baggies is a good idea. No one who could be held liable for their words will say that. Only those that have no skin in the game.

You can also ask your pharmacy for bubble packs. And I think I heard an advertisement recently for a local pharmacy offering to bubble pack your meds and supplements.

It isn't this one, but sounds like what the local folks were advertising. Basically your weekly/daily pill box, but in a bubble pack.

The only problem I could see is if one pill was not allowed. Would they confiscate the entire package or break open all the bubbles to remove that one pill?

Bubble Packaging

Some of us on long term maintenance medicines have plans that require us to use mail order generics in 90 supplies from Express Scripts. I have never been able to obtain smaller plastic bottles from them. Some 90 day supplies leave 95% of the bottles empty. It's amazing how much space they take in your personal item. I'm often pinched for electronics space due to these bottles. My husband refuses to carry his bottles and instead places 6 weeks worth of travel in ziploc bags. Then he cuts the info from the papers sent with the bottles and puts it in each baggie. It's so much smarter but I continue to be the "paragon" and lug my collection of huge empty plastic bottles. It's a stretch of the imagination calling those generic blah bottles "original" containers. It seems silly and idiotic to have to pay so much more for prescriptions at a pharmacy just to get smaller containers. It's always an issue getting more than 30 day supplies of some meds. I hate this perpetual irritation.

Silas Marner, it is a pain. If i were in the same situation as your husband, I might do the same. Its a different thing to make a personal choice once you are aware of the law and the implications, and the odds, etc.

Mardee's answer was perfect.

Think of it: A question and a perfect answer. One and done.

If only the thread had ended there.

It makes one wonder whether more moderation is needed or if they really ought to add a blocking function so folks can block me and avoid my cowbell jokes....
.
Happy travels!

Mardee, ahhhhhhh. Yes! Some of the most enjoyable discussions in recent memory. The fact that we didn't agree but about half the time made them great experiences for thought and learning. Mardee, next trip we double down on it, so save us a little extra time.

Gene Frenkle: Yeah?

Bruce Dickinson: Really explore the studio space this time.

Gene Frenkle: You got it, Bruce.

Bruce Dickinson: I mean, really.. explore the space. I like what I’m hearing. roll it.