Summer is upon us, a time when many Americans travel to both national and international destinations. While it can be exciting to experience and explore new locations, traveling can bring pitfalls if a person or family is not properly prepared. One potential obstacle to navigate is traveling with medications, particularly if you’re flying to your destination.
It’s estimated that over 131 million people in the United States take prescription drugs. With this many people taking medications, issues are bound to occur while traveling with prescriptions, including forgetting your medication at home or having pills confiscated at the airport. However, as Matthew Herfield, Co-Founder and CEO of BuzzRx, explains, savvy travelers can do several simple things to make traveling with prescriptions a breeze.
Determine Which Medications You’ll Need
One of the first things Herfield recommends is determining which medications you’ll need while planning your trip. “The prescriptions you need to take with you can vary depending on the duration of your trip and your destination,” he explains.
“For example, on a domestic trip to a major city, you probably won’t have to pack as much over-the-counter medicine since pharmacies will be readily available. Conversely, a wilderness camping trip or overseas adventure might require you to be well-stocked on all your prescription and over-the-counter medications. Depending on where you’re going, you may also want to pack additional items for common ailments, such as an upset stomach or the flu.”
Making a list of the prescriptions you need in the right quantities can be a valuable first step in ensuring you don’t forget any essentials.
Meet With Your Healthcare Provider
Meeting with your healthcare provider before your trip is a wise plan, especially when traveling internationally. Your doctor can help you prepare for necessary vaccines or medications when traveling to a specific destination.
In addition, this visit allows you to discuss any concerns you might have about managing your prescription medication, such as how to store your medicine safely or how time zone changes will affect taking your prescription. These visits can be vital if you plan on traveling for over 30 days and will need prescription refills during your trip.
Use Original Packaging and Labels When Possible
An estimated 10% of travelers have had their prescriptions confiscated during travel, which can result in consequences like canceled activities, missed flights, and even shortened or canceled trips altogether. According to Herfield, one of the best ways to reduce the risk of confiscation is to keep prescription medications in their original packaging.
“The TSA advises storing your medications in their original, labeled containers. Storing medication this way ensures you have the proper prescription documentation to mitigate potential security concerns that might otherwise result in confiscation. Since this packaging has your name and dosage information, it’s proof that you have a valid reason to have your medication if security has any concerns.”
While this may seem more cumbersome than placing medications in a pill case, demonstrating to transportation security that you have a valid prescription can significantly reduce the risk of trip disruptions due to confiscation.
Prepare for Mid-Trip Purchases
While travelers typically pack prescription medication in advance, this isn’t always a viable option. Of course, medication can also get lost, confiscated, forgotten, or stolen.
“You should always prepare as if you’ll need to make a prescription medication purchase while on your trip,” Herfield advises. “For domestic travel, downloading the BuzzRx app on your phone will allow you to locate nearby pharmacies and compare discounted drug prices for your medication. This can be especially helpful when you’re going on an extended trip and won’t be eligible for a refill before the trip starts. International trips will require additional research to determine which pharmacies and medication options are available at your destination.”
Planning won’t just streamline the logistics of finding a place to purchase medication. It can also help keep your trip on budget by allowing you to be financially prepared and find low-cost solutions.
Pack Medication in Your Carry-On Bag
Herfield advises that you pack at least some of your medications in your carry-on bag rather than placing everything in a checked bag. While only a low percentage of luggage is lost or mishandled annually, it’s not worth the risk of losing all your prescriptions before you even reach your destination.
“In addition to allowing medications in pill form, the TSA also has a liquids rule exemption for medically necessary liquids in carry-on bags that have been declared for inspection at the security checkpoint,” Herfield adds. “As long as you have proper documentation, you shouldn’t have to worry about it getting confiscated.”
By packing some of your medications in your carry-on bag, you will still be prepared in case your checked luggage is misplaced for a few days.
Take the Stress Out of Traveling With Prescriptions
If you take the time to prepare, traveling with prescription medications doesn’t have to be a source of stress. You can enjoy worry-free travels by ensuring you have enough medicine for your trip — or a way to get a refill, if necessary.
