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.