Airport Assistance and Taking Medication Abroad — Scope | Disability forum
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Airport Assistance and Taking Medication Abroad

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jane52
jane52 Community member Posts: 35 Courageous
Two are my medications I take for epilepsy Phenobarbital, and Clobazam are Controlled Drugs.  Am travelling to Spain soon and later to Belgium/Germany.   How do I find out if countries have any rules on these drugs.   What sort of information do I need to take.   Is copy of my prescriptions enough.   Do I need a g.p. letter.

Re Airport assistance.  Not wanting to walk too far in aiports in case can't eat/drink as much as I need to when walking.  Any advise on how to set this up?  Flight not organised through any travel company

Thankyou for help

Comments

  • woodbine
    woodbine Community member Posts: 11,744 Disability Gamechanger
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    You will need to organise help through the airline, I take 19 different meds 3 of them for epilepsy, usually pack them in hand luggage in original boxes and take a copy of my prescription never had a problem when travelling in Europe.
    2024 The year of the general election...the time for change is coming 💡

  • cheekylittlekoala
    cheekylittlekoala Community member Posts: 117 Courageous
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    Hi

    When i have travelled in the past i get a letter from my GP stating all the prescription medication i will have will me the amounts and what they are for. Letter costed about £30

    You can contact the Spanish embassy etc to find out if you can travel with your medication.

    To get Airport assistance you need to contact airline directly.

    Kind regards

  • woodbine
    woodbine Community member Posts: 11,744 Disability Gamechanger
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    There really is no need to get and pay for a letter from your GP or to contact any embassy as long as you pack the meds in original box in your hand luggage and take a copy of prescription with you all will be ok.
    2024 The year of the general election...the time for change is coming 💡

  • cheekylittlekoala
    cheekylittlekoala Community member Posts: 117 Courageous
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    Some prescription drugs are illegal in some countries.
  • vikingqueen
    vikingqueen Scope Member Posts: 1,446 Disability Gamechanger
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           I take a controlled drug into Turkey, Iv'e never had a problem. All I take is my prescription list and keep my medication in it's original packets. I need a letter for my injections but that comes from the suppliers that deliver them.  
        Airlines and customs are well use to holiday makers travelling with drugs and I don't think for 1 minute Europe would be a problem.
  • jane52
    jane52 Community member Posts: 35 Courageous
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    Thank you everyone.   I am wanting to clarify phenobarbital and clobazam legal in countries I am going to, or if I need any additional paperwork other than prescriptions.
    Have tried phoning embassy to country.  No answer.   Sent them an email.  Will see if they respond.
    Wondering who else may know this sort of thing.   Epilepsy helplines did not.
  • jane52
    jane52 Community member Posts: 35 Courageous
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    I think I have sorted out airport assistance now via aircompany I am  travelling with
    Fingers crossed it will all go to plan
  • poppy123456
    poppy123456 Community member Posts: 54,764 Disability Gamechanger
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    I’ve been to many different countries, Turkey, Dominican Republic, Canary Islands, Greece, Egypt and that’s just to start with. 

    One of my medications is morphine, a controlled drug and never had any issues.

     I just make sure they are in their original box, which has my name on it and a copy of my prescription list and carry them in my hand luggage. No need for any letter from your GP. 
    I would appreciate it if members wouldn't tag me please. I have all notifcations turned off and wouldn't want a member thinking i'm being rude by not replying.
    If i see a question that i know the answer to i will try my best to help.
  • Hannah_Alumni
    Hannah_Alumni Scope alumni Posts: 7,912 Disability Gamechanger
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    Hello @jane52

    I've never had to go through the airport with controlled drugs, but I wanted to comment and say have a wonderful time in Spain, Belgium and Germany! :) 
    Hannah - She / Her

    Online Community Coordinator @ Scope

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  • jane52
    jane52 Community member Posts: 35 Courageous
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    Thank you everyone.   All helpful advice.   Main things seems to be have prescription and have medication in boxes
  • jane52
    jane52 Community member Posts: 35 Courageous
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    Just come back from pharmacist with my big bag of medication :-) and prescription list.   Pharmacist said same as people on here.   Have medication in boxes and have prescription list.   Thank you everyone as was not sure as not flown since pre covid
    Travel Insurance next.   Any particular companies people found good for people with disabilities
  • Steve_in_The_City
    Steve_in_The_City Scope Member Posts: 567 Pioneering
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    I take a controlled drug, Zopiclone 7,5 mg. I had no idea it was controlled until recently. It helps me to sleep. But I have taken it with me to Spain, France, Greece, the States - sort of everywhere. I won't get arrested over this confession!
  • Jimm_Scope
    Jimm_Scope Posts: 2,786 Scope online community team
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    jane52 said:
    Just come back from pharmacist with my big bag of medication :-) and prescription list.   Pharmacist said same as people on here.   Have medication in boxes and have prescription list.   Thank you everyone as was not sure as not flown since pre covid
    Travel Insurance next.   Any particular companies people found good for people with disabilities
    As long as it's still in it's original packaging with your name on it you will rarely have an issue. Have a lovely time in Spain :)
    They/Them, however they are no wrong pronouns with me so whatever you feel most comfortable with
    Online Community Specialist

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    Opinions are my own, such as mashed potato being bad.
  • jane52
    jane52 Community member Posts: 35 Courageous
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    Looking for company that will make cards in other languagues re disabilities  I have , medication I take, emergency contacts.  Also what else to put on card?   Company I currently use for main disability only does cards in English, that main helpline can be called and they have a department that can offer translation services.   Feels a bit long winded, particularly if something happened abroad and emergency number on bracelet or necklace not notice.   Prefer to have cards too.   
    Thank you for any information
  • poppy123456
    poppy123456 Community member Posts: 54,764 Disability Gamechanger
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    V1nnipoof said:
    Traveling with medication can be a bit tricky, but with the right preparation, it can be manageable. I've had to take medication abroad before, and I found that it's important to plan and make sure you have everything you need.
    Why is it tricky? I've been abroad many times to many different countries with various different medications and never had any issues. 
    I would appreciate it if members wouldn't tag me please. I have all notifcations turned off and wouldn't want a member thinking i'm being rude by not replying.
    If i see a question that i know the answer to i will try my best to help.

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