Authors: Joana Simões, Carolina Marques, pharmacists at Hospital da Luz Lisboa Traveling is becoming more and more frequent , either for leisure or work. With the increase in life expectancy and prevalence of diseases that require regular medication - for example, chronic diseases - more and more people must travel with their medicines . Before traveling, people who take regular medication for a chronic illness or who are undergoing long-term medication treatment should confirm with their doctor whether they can make the intended trip. The main things… Always check the amount of medication needed for the total number of days of the trip and take an additional amount in case the return flight is delayed. Make sure that medications remain within their expiration date until the end of the trip. Do not remove medicines from their original packaging to avoid mistakes. You may asked for proof of the need to take the medicines , so you should always take a copy of the medical prescription or a medical report. During the trip, maintain a regular schedule for taking your medicines . Adjust the intake time according to your routines and meal times if changing time zones requires it. If you are traveling by plane: Try to take medicines in your hand luggage or that of your companions (if you are not traveling alone); Given the restrictions on transporting liquids, it is especially important that you bring a prescription or medical report when you have liquid medicines to take; If it is not possible to take all your medicines with you, prepare a kit with the quantity necessary for the travel time and to cover a possible delay or loss of checked luggage. Include not only your usual medication, but also other medications that you may need, taking into account the type of trip and your health status; Check the instructions for properly storing your medicines and follow them strictly (see below). Prepare a detailed list of your medicines. This list may be useful at airport security checks or if you need to go to an emergency service during your stay. You must mention: The trade name and the active ingredient; Dose; The number of doses per day and the interval between doses; What is the indication for its use. Still… If you need to travel with objects such as syringes, needles, thermometers, it is recommended that you find out about the airline's conditions to make sure that these materials are not prohibited in hand luggage. To be able to pass the security control and take them on the plane, it is necessary to justify their use with a medical report. For travelers who have some type of implant, it is also recommended to carry a document in English or in the language of the destination country that indicates what type of implant and whether or not they can pass through the metal detector. Are you going by plane? And at what temperature? If your medicines are in your hold luggage, they may experience extreme temperature conditions that can cause changes. This is the case, for example, with insulins. Ensure that refrigerated medicines are transported between 2 o C-8 o C , using, for example, thermal bags with ice packs, but being careful not to freeze the medicines. Please confirm that you have a refrigerator available during your stay. I f there are no special directions on conservation, this must be done at room temperature, that is, between 20 o C and 25 o C , without exceeding this temperature range for a long time. Your medicines in other countries… If you need to buy medication abroad, keep in mind: Trade names and composition: the same trade name may not mean the same active ingredient composition; Only buy medicines in commercial spaces authorized for that purpose to avoid potential counterfeits. In Europe there are no restrictions on the transport of medicines between countries , as long as they are for personal use and this can be proven, if necessary. In other cases, the legal requirements for transporting medicines for personal use may be difficult to find. There are countries that have specific lists of restricted medicines , such as the United Arab Emirates, India, Pakistan, or Turkey. An internet search, help from travel agencies and information from diplomatic representations may be possibilities for help. And now, pack your bags and have a good and safe trip! The content published in the Health Guide is intended for the general public and is provided for informational and educational purposes only. It does not replace individual medical assessment, diagnosis, or personalized clinical advice from a qualified healthcare professional. The content is produced or reviewed by physicians and other healthcare professionals at Hospital da Luz and is based on the knowledge available at the time of publication or the most recent update, as indicated at the beginning of each item.
