Prescription Medicines and Customs
Apr 2nd, 2004, 08:02 AM
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Prescription Medicines and Customs
I have been told that I should keep all prescription drugs in their original containers while going through customs in Europe. Is this practice enforced? I always put medications in tiny stackable containers while traveling in the US, and have never been questioned. Please advise.
Thanks
Thanks
Apr 2nd, 2004, 08:08 AM
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I keep hauling my meds in original containers, and each time I vow never to bother with it again since I have never been questioned, etc. "They say" it is important to do, however. I'll be curious if anyone responds has ever actually needed to take this precaution.
Apr 2nd, 2004, 08:16 AM
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The first time I went I brought multiple containers as I was a novice. The second time we travelled I put all in one container and brought prescriptions with should customs inquire. Because of my illness I also have a Medical ID bracelet, thus all would be consistent. I like the one container (also in zip lock baggies) and the paper prescription route as it takes the least amount of room and weight. We really pack light.
Hope this helps.
Hope this helps.
Apr 2nd, 2004, 08:21 AM
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We always carry them in their orignial containers. But we are a bit of a special case. My husband has a food allergy which requires him to carry an EPI pen shot. A couple of times they have seen the shots in our carry on and asked us to pull them out. So we pull out the gallon baggie that has all our medicines in it. Once they see its an EPI pen, they say are okay with it. For us, I think I like the security of having the prescription packaging just so we don't have to worry about it.
Apr 2nd, 2004, 08:24 AM
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Squeaky- I have also wondered about this. I also consolidate. No luck pealing those labels off the pill container. I guess I should keep all that stuff stapeled to the pharmacy bag & throw it in my travel drawer.
Kismet... picky custom agent that goes by the book. What is written in what book?
Kismet... picky custom agent that goes by the book. What is written in what book?
Apr 2nd, 2004, 08:27 AM
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Oh, who cares???? You don't even need a prescription for anitbotics in Spain, for example. I always carry over-the-counter medication with me, mixed with prescription medicine. I have travelled all over the world and have never been questioned. How are officials supposed to know if your allegery medication is off of the shelf or prescribed by a doctor??????????? You can even buy Prevacid at the grocer's these days. Stop worrying.
Apr 2nd, 2004, 08:32 AM
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I take my prescription drugs with me in the original bottle; I tried asking the pharmacy to give me copies of the prescriptions, but no dice. Having the bottles with the label information is very useful if you accidentally spill needed drugs--some can be refilled at European pharmacies without a problem.
Apr 2nd, 2004, 09:23 AM
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Squeaky:
There's a prior question: when was the last time anyone was stopped at European Customs anyway?
I go through European customs channels dozens of times a year. It's at least ten years since anyone stopped me. And they've always been a lot more interested in what was on my videotapes, or whether credit card receipts showed heavyweight shopping in New York or Hong Kong than what was in my sponge bag.
If you and the flight you're on match Customs' profile for suspected drugs smuggling, they'll inspect the pills in prescription bottles just like any other pills. If you're on prescription drugs they really worry about (like methadone) you need more than original containers to placate them. (www.hmce.gov.uk has a set of pretty typical European Customs notices, though other cuntries will interpret rules differently).
While the onus of proof doesn't always quite work in Customs matters the way Magna Carta is supposed to say it should, Customs have better things to worry about than the bottle you keep your statins in.
Put your drugs where you want. But carry a copy of your prescription or whatever if you're worried (In the UK, my doctor routinely gives me a printout of the drugs I'm prescribed, though I really don't see the point), and if you're on something exotic, be sure to read the relevant notice on the UK Customs site.
There's a prior question: when was the last time anyone was stopped at European Customs anyway?
I go through European customs channels dozens of times a year. It's at least ten years since anyone stopped me. And they've always been a lot more interested in what was on my videotapes, or whether credit card receipts showed heavyweight shopping in New York or Hong Kong than what was in my sponge bag.
If you and the flight you're on match Customs' profile for suspected drugs smuggling, they'll inspect the pills in prescription bottles just like any other pills. If you're on prescription drugs they really worry about (like methadone) you need more than original containers to placate them. (www.hmce.gov.uk has a set of pretty typical European Customs notices, though other cuntries will interpret rules differently).
While the onus of proof doesn't always quite work in Customs matters the way Magna Carta is supposed to say it should, Customs have better things to worry about than the bottle you keep your statins in.
Put your drugs where you want. But carry a copy of your prescription or whatever if you're worried (In the UK, my doctor routinely gives me a printout of the drugs I'm prescribed, though I really don't see the point), and if you're on something exotic, be sure to read the relevant notice on the UK Customs site.
Apr 2nd, 2004, 10:07 AM
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To: Thingorgus, re: your comment "Oh, who cares"; Folk who ask this question are perhaps concerned about having their meds confiscated. Not all meds are easily replaced and some of us have life threatening conditions and are dependent on them. Your response seems to indicate that you fortunately are not one who battles with this type of a situation; count yourself blessed and consider walking in anothers shoes before you answer off the cuff next time.
Apr 2nd, 2004, 10:17 AM
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DAJ:
Thingorjus is absolutely right
Who do you know, have heard of, of even heard an urban myth about, who has ever had prescription drugs confiscated for being in the "wrong" bottle?
And just how many places in Europe have you ever been to that weren't stacked with pharmacies?
Whatever condition our health is in, life is too short to fritter away on pointless worries.
The "original bottle" stuff is simple claptrap. Organising your life around it it insane.
Thingorjus is absolutely right
Who do you know, have heard of, of even heard an urban myth about, who has ever had prescription drugs confiscated for being in the "wrong" bottle?
And just how many places in Europe have you ever been to that weren't stacked with pharmacies?
Whatever condition our health is in, life is too short to fritter away on pointless worries.
The "original bottle" stuff is simple claptrap. Organising your life around it it insane.
Apr 2nd, 2004, 10:35 AM
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Are you daft??? The customs officials are going to confiscated your medication that you need to sustain your life? "Oh, please, guv, don't take my insulin. I'll die without it...please...please.....<gasp>....ple...&qu ot; Where do you think you are going, into deepest Afghanistan? As a European, I am highly insulted. We do not take medicine from invalids. You are horribly unsophisticated, DAJ. I think that if European customs officials were taking people's heart medication away, it would make the front page of the New York Times. Blimey.
Apr 2nd, 2004, 11:06 AM
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I tend to agree with Flanneruk. If you somehow fit a "profile" they may spend extra time searching you; otherwise, they barely check anything.
Coming back to the US through CDG was interesting...they were taking the baggage check very seriously. Any man traveling alone was having his stuff pawed through big time. We came along - Mom, Dad, 3 kids - and they didn't even touch our bags.
One time my husband hadn't shaved for about 5 days and he got a lot more scrutiny than the clean shaven men.
Coming back to the US through CDG was interesting...they were taking the baggage check very seriously. Any man traveling alone was having his stuff pawed through big time. We came along - Mom, Dad, 3 kids - and they didn't even touch our bags.
One time my husband hadn't shaved for about 5 days and he got a lot more scrutiny than the clean shaven men.
Apr 2nd, 2004, 11:36 AM
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The point isn't that Customs would gratuitously take away needed medications, it's that they could suspect you of bringing in illegal substances if they don't know what it is you're carrying. This doesn't happen very often, but if you fit the profile you never know. I do know people who've been questioned about (legal) tablets they're carrying.
That said, I always transfer my pills to small containers and I've never had problems. And I've always wondered -- unless a container is sealed, what's to stop someone from putting illegal drugs into a prescription bottle?
That said, I always transfer my pills to small containers and I've never had problems. And I've always wondered -- unless a container is sealed, what's to stop someone from putting illegal drugs into a prescription bottle?
Apr 2nd, 2004, 12:16 PM
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..2 COMMENTS..ANYONE WITH SYRINGES AND NEEDLES BE SURE YOU HAVE THE MEDICINE WITH A VERY LEGIBLE LABEL..SECONDLY ALWAYS CARRY A LIST OF THE MEDS YOU ARE ON AND MAKE SURE THAT YOU LIST THE GENERIC AND NOT BRAND NAME..IF YOU LOOSE YOUR MEDS OR END UP SICK OR INJURED IN A HOSPITAL THIS INFO CAN SAVE YOUR LIFE..ALSO IF YOU HAVE A HEART CONDITION GET A COPY OF YOUR EKG FROM YOUR MD TO TAKE WITH YOU...
