Travel and drugs

Don’t take chances when you travel.  Make sure you’ve thought ahead.  Do you have enough medication for the trip?  What if there’s an emergency?  What if you lose what you have?

And don’t assume you’ll be able to just pick up what you need at the local drugstore.  For example, Tylenol with codeine is available over the counter in Canada.  You don’t need a prescription.  However, in Mexico it’s strictly controlled.  Actually, something like Tylenol #1 isn’t even available.  You’ll be stuck with a larger dose of codeine, and it won’t be available without a prescription.  Even with a prescription, you’re likely to end up with a very small number of tablets at a very high price.  If you’re caught with codeine that you didn’t buy legally, I understand you could end up with a multi-year jail sentence!

That’s just one example, but it demonstrates why you need to be prepared, ask questions, and know what you’re going to do in each situation.  When you travel:

• Make sure you have more than enough of whatever medication you need, in case of emergency
• Think through a backup plan – what if you run out?  Can you get more somehow?  Do you know where to go for medical help?  Do you have proper insurance?
• Make sure that you have prescriptions with you, and medication in the original bottles.  You don’t want to run into any questions about what exactly you have with you and if it’s legal.  It wouldn’t hurt to have the prescriptions (or copies) with you anyway, in case you need to show a doctor in the country you’re travelling to.
• Make sure, as always, to have emergency contact information, and any important medical information with you.  Even if it’s a short trip.  That goes without saying, right?

Do you have more travel tips?  Leave a comment!