Medications

go to your pharmacist and have them print your scripts on paper for travel purposes.

Agree with above advice to have prescriptions in hand (or in phone). I found this easier to use than a weekly pill sorter. They sell extras of the various sizes. Worked well for me because I have one medication that is rather a large pill that I take four of each day, plus several very small pills.
https://www.rei.com/product/182847/humangear-stax-4-piece-interlocking-container-set-small

A search of the forum will get you many, many opinions. Its a common topic. I personally use a ziplock bag with the prescription labels I get from my pharmacist. I have one for AM and one for PM. I've never had any kind of issue. However, that doesn't mean others won't.

We have the drug store print us extra lables 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. 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.

"in our country and abroad could be more difficult than normal. "

There's no change to the "current political climate" abroad, and no reason to think Customs will treat them any differently. And it's not an airport security issue if it's not a liquid.

I don't take a prescription with me, and my medication is not in a box (albeit it is in a blister pack). Never had a problem - in fact never had anyone even look at it. And come to think of it, haven't actually been stopped for inspection at Customs anywhere for many years.

Having said that, your peace of mind is also important.

Even lighter in weight and less bulky, these little zipper bags are what I put my medications in: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B085TL858G?ref_=ppx_hzsearch_conn_dt_b_fed_asin_title_6&th=1

Never been a problem, but I do have the prescriptions (& descriptions of OTC ones) on my phone.

I like the quart size tiplocks (TSA size) because I can put the prescription labels on the bag. That said, I love the little bags Nancy linked. They have so many uses. OTC meds, spices for camping, for my purse for meds I only use as needed, necklaces, ear plugs, . . .

I use a daily pill box for my medication and I have the prescription details on my GP app on my phone but in all my travels no-one has shown any interest in them. I suspect millions of people are flying every day with their medication without any issue.

The smaller bags nancys8 mentioned above can usually be found at many craft shops and small independent drug stores.

Here is the rule and some of the logic behind the rule in most of the EU if not most of Europe, then you decide.

The ruke: Bring them in the original packaging and bring a letter from the doctor.

In the US, we have pill bottles filled by a pharmacist. Here, they are pills in bubble packs. Each pack or card of pills is identified as to what it is. See the difference? That could be anything in that pill bottle, even if it is labeled. The bubble packs it's hard to impossible to switch the pills. So Americans are already at a legal disadvantage.

In many EU countries, the prescription is retained by the pharmacy when filled to prevent reuse of the prescription, hence the letter from the doctor. Once again, the American with a copy of a prescription is at a legal disadvantage.

We really can't comply with the intent of the law. Now, some want to take it one step further and use little baggies?

The odds of being checked and if checked anyone making an issue of it is small, but ... making every attempt to come as close to compliance as possible is respect. So, pills in the bottles and copies of the prescriptions.

Do know your prescription is generally no good here and there are a number of fairly common drugs in the US that are not universally available here. So pack well.

I pack my two prescriptions in the Day-of-week smallest containers with an extra week loaded into them, i.e. a 3-week trip will have four pills in each day slot. Plus, I bring a copy of both prescriptions (labels removed from the bottles) stored in the same pocket of the toiletry kit. I also have a photo of the prescription label in my iCloud.

The odds of being checked and if checked anyone making an issue of it is small, but ... making every attempt to come as close to compliance as possible is respect. So, pills in the bottles and copies of the prescriptions.

Mr E lays it out very well in his post, and I do what he suggests - keep pills in bottles, have Rx copies (could be from MyChart), and fill my pill cases abroad. It is a pain, but it is for my peace of mind that I do this.

I have used plastic BPA free pill pouches for years now. I use the disposable bags and toss the daily.
Amazon has a good assortment.
They have a label to write on - AM, PM, Other.
I started with drugs and supplements in their own pouch with the name of the medication.
After the first trip I found it easier to do the pouches AM & PM, separated into their own larger AM& PM bag.
For random pills have their own bag I write what it is; Aleve
We travel for several year all around Europe few weeks at a time (always start with RS and then extend on our own)
Always carry an extra week just in case.
By the end of the trip pills have been consumed and no bottles to contend with, bonus there is a bit more room in-the carryon.
I carry the RX copies on my phone and back up hard copies in an envelope in the side pocket of my bag.
I have never been challenged or questioned about normal medication or supplements.
The only RX ever challenged was my CGM continuous glucose meter. They opened the box and wiped around to make sure it wasn’t an explosive. Guess TSA gal said she didn’t know what it was.
Hope this helps.
125 Packs 6 Mil Sturdy Pill Bags BPA Free Pill Pouch 3 x 2.75 Inch Write-on Label Seal Waterproof Reusable Clear Small Ziplock Plastic Bags for Travel Pill Organizer, Jewelry and Small Craft Pieces

" Bring them in the original packaging and bring a letter from the doctor."
from Mr. E.

It might be bulky but it's safest to just follow the rules. My husband literally needs his meds for his life (15 bottles for 15 different pills.) He just does what he's told.

It’s not a one size fits all for all countries and meds. For example, controlled substances may have stricter requirements, depending on the country. Some countries ban certain medicines.

There is no way I'm taking 10 pill bottles for all my husband's meds. I take a week's worth in two day-of-the-week dispenser things (one for AM, one for PM), whatever additional quantity I need in individual tiny zipper bags (I write the med name and dosage on each with a sharpie), and I have a printout from the doctor with a list of all his medication on their letterhead. We've never had a single question about any prescription or over-the-counter item we've packed.

Here is the rule and some of the logic behind the rule in most of the EU if not most of Europe, then you decide.

The ruke: Bring them in the original packaging and bring a letter from the doctor.

Mr E, if you are citing a rule that applies to all countries, it would be great if you can cite your source.

Thank you for all your replies. It was very helpful. Safe travels! Eric

First, read what i wrote. Then, if you don't know the source for where you have been and where you are going, best you had done some homework and still do some homework before you pack meds.

Customs is not interested in your prescription medication as long as:

1) You can prove it's yours and what it is;

2) It is not banned in that country;

3) You are not bringing in so much they might suspect you are trying to sell it or bringing it in for someone else.

Due to numerous chronic illnesses, I take a lot of medication and use certain medical devices. When I start my trips--usually about 3 months at a time--the total is nearly 4 lbs. It's a lot. If I tried to take all of the original packaging it would fill my entire full size personal item.

I decant my pills into ziploc bags. I put all of it into a small packing cube. I have copies of the bottle labels (the prescription information) with me. (My pharmacy labels also have a description of the pills.) I used to also use a weekly pillbox but I now use reusable small pill pouches.

None of my medication is a controlled substance or narcotic. If it was, I would keep those in their original containers.

Due to what's in my personal item, I usually get extra screening at security everywhere. At no time were they interested in my medication. They were looking at electronics.

That being said, in come EU countries, some medication for ADHD are banned.

Customs is not interested in your prescription medication as long as:

1) You can prove it's yours and what it is;

How do you prove what those 60 white pills in the zip lock bag are?

How do you prove what those 60 white pills in the zip lock bag are?

Well, if they actually wanted you to prove it, you could google for the photo. They often have identifying words or numbers on them, but something as simple as "white .25mg alprazolam pill" should return photos. Each manufacturer's pills are unique in some way for each dose they sell.

How do you prove what those 60 white pills in the zip lock bag are?

My pharmacy, Walgreens, puts physical descriptions of the pills on the prescription sheet that accompanies each filled prescription. I bring that with me. It's basically the same label as on the prescription bottle plus a little more information.

Of course, Kathleen and FrankII are correct. I suspect that they will have a comfortable chair in that little room they haul you to, where you can sit and google. The inspector interrogating you has nothing better to do than sit with you while you go searching and comparing pictures and measuring diameters. Then in an hour or two you will be safely on your way. I am trying to be funny. Relax. Seriously, as FrankII and others suggest, the odds are one-in-a-million that anyone checking your luggage will really care especially if you are other than certain looking people.

Here is my point of view and concerns.

First, compliance with the laws of my host country is about my personal integrity; without judgment of others.
Second, I understand the intent of the rules and I know as Americans because of our pharmacy system is different we can never meet the full intent of the law. The immigration guys are good to recognize that, their job is no fun, so why push it.

Finally, I have two prescriptions that I need for the purpose of life. One is not widely available in Europe. If I lose it, I am screwed. Why the heck would I even take a one-in-a-million chance?

Everyone will do as they please. I have no issue with that. BUT if you do become the one-in-a-million and you are detained or miss a flight or have your medications confiscated or have to return to the US to get your meds replaced; DO NOT COME BACK to the internet and post complaints about how you were treated.

Gee, I thought I had to take a lot of pills, but I'm at only 5 prescriptions a day. Now I feel even more blessed than I did before.

BTW. original bottles for me, though I might combine 2 or 3 bottles of, say, statin into one.

Posted by Frank II Freedonia

How do
you prove what those 60 white pills in the zip lock bag are?

My pharmacy, Walgreens, puts physical descriptions of the pills on the
prescription sheet that accompanies each filled prescription. I bring
that with me. It's basically the same label as on the prescription
bottle plus a little more information.

This.

I take the top portion with the chemical/generic name and physical description of the pill from the Walgreens Drug Facts Sheet, stack them and copy/scan them on one page. Only problem is when the physical description of a generic changes, gotta re-scan.

After knee replacement and staying in a respite facility, I came down with hives. I went to my PCP with the Drug facts sheets for all the meds from my surgeon and that was exactly what my PCP needed in addition to what was already entered in MyChart.

This isn't so much about Customs security as medical emergency but it does provide a physical description of the pills you are carrying as well as chemical composition if needed.