
Travelling with medications
December 21, 2018
Why travellers prefer Blue Cross
December 21, 2018
Whether you’re a seasoned Snowbird or someone new to travel, medications and travel plans need careful attention. To avoid hassles and delays at customs or simply for peace of mind, the following tips will help you get the most out of your trip.
If you have an illness that will require that you use injectable drugs while you travel, ensure that your doctor provides you with a note authorizing you to travel with needles and specifying why they’re necessary.
People who use rare medications should ensure they have a doctor’s note explaining why they must be taken.
For Snowbirds visiting the United States, you’re allowed to bring in 90 days’ worth of medication. For returning Snowbirds, Health Canada allows you to bring back the equivalent of three months treatment of medicines that are not available in Canada.
Finally, don’t forget to inform Blue Cross travel insurance about the medications you’ll be using on your trip.
Of course, even when travelling with non-prescription over-the-counter medications, similar care to that mentioned above should be taken.
I always advise my patients before they travel to bring the medicines they’re used to using at home when they travel while ill. For example, if you’re used to a particular cold remedy product, make sure to pack some before you leave. Depending on where you’re headed, it might be difficult to find an equivalent product overseas and you might run the risk of buying counterfeit drugs.
Did you know that some medicines that are commonly used and sold over-the-counter in Canada are either banned or available only on prescription elsewhere? In the United States, for example, some Claritin products are only available by prescription while in Japan many decongestants are prohibited outright. To find out more about whether the drugs you usually take are permitted in the country you’re travelling to, consult their embassy or consulate in Canada.
Conversely, if you’re bringing medications back into Canada, whether prescribed or over-the-counter that aren’t authorized here, Health Canada generally allows bringing in three (3) months’ worth.
Here are two suggestions that will help avoid hassles while travelling:
Now you’re ready to take off!
Gabrielle Asselin
Source