There can be problems with getting through customs with both prescription and over the counter medications. Many countries restrict stimulants and sedatives from crossing their borders. In the US, for example, we can purchase sinus medicine that contains Pseudoephedrine; abroad these drugs may be confiscated. Sleeping pills that contain barbiturates are other suspects. Medicine that contains Morphine or Codeine probably won’t be allowed to accompany you out of the airport. Some countries are leery about syringes and needles. There also may be limits to the amounts of medicine that you can bring with you. 

Japan provides a good example. The Japanese Ministry of Health regulates the list of allowable items. They may not allow inhalators, allergy and sinus drugs, such as Actifed, Sudafed, and Vicks inhalers. Prozac and Viagra also may be confiscated. You are allowed to bring a 4 month supply of vitamins, 2 month supply of non-prescription drugs and a 1 month supply of prescriptions. If you are carrying syringes or wearing pumps for injectable drugs, you are required to obtain a so-called “Yakkan Shoumei,” or an import certificate in advance and show these with your prescription drugs at Customs. 

Suggestions to Avoid Problems:

1. Consult the Embassy(s) or Consulate(s) in the US of the countries that you intend to visit about allowable and non-allowable drugs.  

2. If you still are unclear, ask the US State Department for an English speaking doctor at your destination, whom you could call and ask questions. 

3. Take steps 1 and 2 early; if there is a problem, you will need to discuss this with your medical provider and have time to purchase prescribed alternatives.

4. Ask your doctor for a letter listing your medications and why you need each drug.

5. Get your doctor to write a prescription for each of your drugs.

6. Keep your medications in their original bottles. Bring receipts from your most recent   purchase of the medicines.

7. Bring enough drugs for your entire stay. Remember, you can’t mail drugs into the country. They will be confiscated by customs. This is especially important for students enrolled in yearly study abroad programs.

ML

Traveling with medicines may be complicated, especially if you take many different drugs each day and/or during different parts of the day. If your medication schedule is complex, or if there are several medications to keep track of while you are away from home, then it may be a good idea to speak to your pharmacist to set up a pill management system. 

We asked our pharmacist to suggest an organized and inexpensive system to pack and sort medications. She suggested a blister/bubble packaging method. This involves sorting and sealing the medications by time of day to be taken (breakfast, noon, afternoon, bedtime, etc) and bubble-packing them in compartments. The packs are labeled with the prescriptions’ names, doses and directions. This system makes the airline security personnel happy, because it fits the requirement that drugs be in labeled containers. 

Our pharmacist suggests that you call your usual drugstore (or the provider in your medical health plan) to see if they offer this service. She notes that a druggist will want a few days to prepare the packaging. Expect the pharmacy to charge a nominal amount (a few dollars) to sort and pack the drugs for your daily schedule. 

Always order more days’ worth of packed meds than you think you will need, just in case there is a travel delay, or some loss along the way. 

Remember to pack your drugs in your carry on luggage. Don’t put them in checked baggage, because there is a risk that the bag will be either delayed or lost. 

Note: Blister/bubble packaging is a wonderful idea to keep track of your medication schedule, even when you are not traveling. This is a good idea for people who are disabled, elderly, forgetful or easily confused. Moreover, it can enable a home care giver to be sure of your medications and timing. 

Thanks to Elnaz Darj, Pharm.D., R.Ph.; owner of Chevy Chase CARE Pharmacy (MD.) 

ML