Travelling with Medications

When crossing borders it is important for travelers to follow certain rules to avoid problems with carrying medications.

Customs officials see many medications pass through daily and there is usually no problem but there are some types of drugs (narcotics, tranquillisers and others) that make inspectors suspicious.

Travellers with prescribed drugs should have a clear type written summary of their medication doses and a letter from their doctor with them. Important medical concerns such as drug allergies should be included.

Medications should be in their original packaging so as not to appear unusual.

When travelling for a long time, make sure you have enough medicine to last you. If this medication is likely to be hard to find abroad bring extra in case it becomes ruined, lost or stolen.

Bring medication onboard aircraft in case checked luggage is lost. Some medication such as insulin is sensitive to low temperatures in the baggage compartment.

Drugs that require injections (insulin,. heparin, beta-interferon) should be accompanied by appropriate needles and a portable sharps container. This should be clean and well organized so as not to look like illicit drug paraphernalia.

Taking medication can be confusing when crossing time zones. This is best clarified with the doctor who prescribed it. Crossing only a few time zones usually does not present a problem. Medications such as anti- epileptic drugs need to be taken at the correct intervals so blood levels do not drop. Sleep deprivation in people with epilepsy may also precipitate a seizure.

Antimalarial medications need to be started before travel to the malarious area (this varies depending on the choice used).

Some travel medications (antimalarials, antibiotics and bismuth) may interact with other regular medications. Medications shouldn't be shared among travelers indiscriminately since what is right for some is not applicable to others. There are also some travel drugs and immunizations that are not used for children or pregnant women. Check with a pharmacist for incompatibilities.

Some drugs may not be brought into certain countries and include narcotics, amphetamines and others even if they did have a prescription for these. Check each country's rules regarding unapproved medications by checking with their representative embassy.

Be careful of inadvertently purchasing counterfeit medication abroad. On a recent trip to Mexico I observe Vioxx, which has been banned worldwide for sale in a Pharmacia. There are many examples of medications that are not what they claim to be or contain less than their reported content of active ingredient.

The Canadian Pharmacists Association has produced the pamphlet “Travelling With Prescription Medications” to answer questions about travel and drugs and this is available at: http://www.pharmacists.ca/