I have heard that it is necessary to have all OTC meds labeled with a pharmacy label despite the fact that they are not prescription drugs when traveling overseas. Feedback? Thanks. Cynthia in LA

I've just flown Australia-Spain-Venezuela-US & back with OTC and prescription medications in my hand luggage and no-one looked at them.

I took everything out of their packets, cut off the front of the packet and put that in with the meds in a clear plastic bag. I took a letter from my doctor listing the prescription medications with a one - line description of their use.

We've never had a problem with this. We put OTC like aspirin, tylenol etc in small separate unmarked bottles and had anyone question them. Our trips have been to Europe several times and Central America.

It depends on the destination, but generally it is not necessary to have OTC meds in the original packaging. However, if you are travling to the Middle East (especially Dubai or other countries like that), there are rather stringent regulations regarding OTC medications. But for most typical travel destinations, this is not an issue.

Where are you going? And who told you about this requirement?

Are you sure what you heard was about Over The Counter?

When I have read that warning for packing meds (keep them in the original container, with prescription attached) it was talking about *prescription* drugs (especially any that are technically controled substances like pain killers, etc.)

I have never had my vitamins or OTC questioned.

Well, I've never had my pills questioned either, but if you just have pills in an unlabeled container, how is the TSA person supposed to know what they are? (Of course, there's nothing stopping you putting something else into a labeled container either, which just shows how silly the whole thing is!)

Thank you all for the feedback. I'm going to London and Paris, and it was a family member who mentioned it. Sounds like I need to have a list from my doc for my prescription meds, and a 'not to worry' mindset for the rest. Cynthia

Fifteen/twenty years ago I was advised to have all meds (OTC and RX) in original, labelled packaging. Did so using sample size packs, purchaed for OTC and received from Dr for Rx. In recent years I have never had anything looked at. I pack a day's assortment in a tiny clear bag and then pack the trip's allotment in a sandwich bag. I do carry a list of my meds including dosage in my travel documents - handy if you have to seek medical services anywhere. The only med I now carry with the pharmacy label is any liquid form that is over 3oz.