Is there any way to travel and not face problems with medications not in original container?

Question

I travel often. I drive 500 miles a week to work (sometimes stay overnight) and also fly several times a year. I take 12 different medications.
For convenience, I put the medications in those pill boxes that they sell and label them.

My question is: Can I print out a copy of the prescription information in case I am ever questioned about the medication? The printed info has my name, prescribing doc and medication info.

Traveling with 12 bottles of medication is really an inconvenience and it takes up alot of space.

I need to know the legal issue surrounding carrying medication that is not in the original containter

Answer 1

"Strictly" speaking, you must have the medication in the original prescription container, with yours and the Dr's name etc on it.

If you have it in a dispenser, you are facing the possibility of arrest for possesion of a controlled substance. Chances are the charges would be dismissed if you can prove it's yours, but do you want the hassle?

One suggestion.... put your meds in the daily dispenser as you do now, but carry the original containers in a bag in your car trunk or checked baggage.

Richard

Answer 2

The basic fact of the law is that they MUST be in the original container. Period. Even carrying the empty ones would mean nothing. In reality, though, you would probably never get arrested, but the risk is always there. You would definitely need them in the original bottles if you fly or cross the border.

You can ask your pharmacist to give you very small bottles. They have them. That way you wouldn't run the risk of facing a problem with a overzealous cop.

Answer 3

You can ask the pharmacists to print you an extra label and laminate them and carry the labels. Still a lot of hassle, and you might end up fighting a charge, but with documentation probably not.