Packing Medications For a Trip

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Air travellers who regularly take medications should pack all they need for their trip in their carry-on as well as their checked luggage, the Dusseldorf-based Travel Medicine Centre (CRM) advises.

This protects them in case their checked luggage is lost or their flight is delayed.

People travelling with prescription medications or syringes should carry a doctor’s certificate attesting that the items are necessary for medical reasons, the CRM says. Otherwise, foreign customs officials may deny them entry.

Crossing international borders with controlled substances, such as painkillers containing morphine, can be a problem.

The CRM also advises travellers to consider heat or cold in the airplane and that the holiday destination when assembling their travel health kit.

Insulin, for example, loses its effectiveness at temperatures lower than about 0 degrees C or higher than 40 degrees C.

Children’s suppositories for pain and fever become soft in the heat, so parents should pack syrups and drops for the little ones instead.

Travellers should adapt to time differences when taking medications, particularly in the case of hormone preparation, the CRM notes.

Those who have to buy medications at their holiday spot should be aware of fakes, especially in Africa and Asia. The CRM recommends that travellers buy medicines in their original packaging and in licensed pharmacies only, and never at marketplaces.

It is helpful carry a package insert from home stating and a medication’s active ingredients, dosage and brand.

Fakes can be recognized by poorly printed packaging, an unusual smell or taste, or a crumbly texture, the CRM points out.