Sorry if I’ve missed the most up-to-date advice about this, but is there a consensus regarding what you need to do to bring prescription meds into Ireland? I’ve heard/seen everything from ‘don’t worry about it - just put them in your normal ‘days of the week’ box’ to ‘they need to be in the original bottles’. Help please!
Posted by
41 posts
Hi!
Per the US Mission in Ireland:
"Carry your prescription medication in original packaging with your doctor’s prescription. Also, carry a list of your medical history and all medications you are taking (including dosage and brand-name). Such lists will save Irish medical staff a lot of time, in the case that you are admitted to an Irish hospital during your vacation."
Posted by
Freedonia
17928 posts
This gets argued all the time.
If you are stopped, customs wants to know that the medication is yours and for personal use.
If you want to carry your meds in a "days of the week" box, you should be fine as long as you have a copy of the prescription label given by the pharmacy on the bottles. That gives all the information they need. (Most pharmacies will print you a copy if one doesn't already come with the paperwork they give.)
However, if you are bringing in a controlled substance or narcotic, it is best to leave it in its original container and not the pill box.
Bring only enough medication to last your trip plus a few days. If traveling for two weeks, don't bring three months of medication. That will send up red flags.
Lastly, make sure your medication is allowed in Ireland. Some prescription meds allowed in the US may not be legal in Ireland. (I know some ADHD meds aren't allowed in some European countries.)
Posted by
Atlanta
5511 posts
...is there a consensus...
Not really. Like most things related to travel, as you have found, there are different opinions among the group. The only thing you can do, is evaluate others methods and do what is comfortable for you. Below is what we do.
We have the drug store print extra labels for each Rx. They are placed on zip lock bags and the pills are put in the bags. We also carry the data sheet that come with the Rx to show exactly what is is and that it is for us. You can do a variation using smaller containers or daily pill boxes. We've never had a problem, but like just about everything these days, nothing is a 100% guarantee. We also take some extras and put them in our purse / personal bag with the same type labeling.
As was suggest, check to see if any of your Rx meds are not allowed in Ireland. Especially if any contain a controlled substance.
Posted by
5 posts
I was just in Ireland last week and I have a total of 7 different prescriptions. I put all of them in one of those travel pill boxes and only brought 2 bottles for the controlled substances. But it never came up in any of the TSA screening or pre clearance customs entry points. You could also just peel off the label of the pill bottle if you don't want to bring the bottles. Hope that helps.