Ask the Pharmacist to Pack & Sort Your Drugs

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