How to Avoid Trouble While Traveling Internationally With MS Medications

The case of Women’s National Basketball Association star Brittney Griner is an important reminder for all of us who travel internationally with our medications: What you might be able to do in your home country, might not be the case in another. And the penalty could be severe.

Griner was detained by Russian officials at Moscow’s Sheremetyevo International Airport on Feb. 17. Russian authorities claimed she was carrying vape cartridges in her luggage that contained hashish oil.

About a week ago, the two-time Olympic gold medalist pleaded guilty to drug charges that could carry up to 10 years in prison. Griner told a Russian judge she didn’t intend to violate the law, ESPN reported.

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Be prepared

Though I doubt someone with multiple sclerosis (MS) would intentionally travel with an illicit drug, some of us do travel with prescribed medications. Those being treated with an injectable medication such as Copaxone (glatiramer acetate), which they may self-inject every day, need to bring it with them. I did that for longer trips when I was giving myself Avonex (interferon beta-1a) injections once a week.

Obviously, injectable medications require needles, syringes, and liquids. Put yourself in the shoes of a customs inspector opening your bag and seeing that. What might you think? Even the pills we carry can raise suspicions, especially a medication like Provigil (modafinil), which is considered a controlled substance in the U.S.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advises that even over-the-counter medications might be regulated or prohibited in some countries. For example, some inhalers and allergy medications are illegal in Japan. Narcotics laws in the United Arab Emirates are super strict. There may also be limits on the amount of a medication you can bring into a country.

Here’s what I do

Following are some tips for traveling with your treatments:

Carry your medications in your carry-on bag. You really don’t want to be without them if your checked bags are lost.

Though I’m no longer using a disease-modifying therapy, I travel with about a half-dozen oral medications for various symptoms. I keep them in their original pharmacy containers and carry those in a see-through freezer bag. I’ve never had a problem with that method while passing through airport security.

It’s also a good idea to carry copies of your prescriptions with you, at least for international trips, as well as a letter from your prescribing physician describing the medications.

In the U.S., the Transportation Security Administration considers needles and syringes “medically necessary” items, so you can carry them on board after they’re screened, just like pills. But international travel can be tricky. It’s best to check with the U.S. embassy or consulate in the country you’ll be traveling to, before you leave, to find out what’s OK and what’s not.

It’s better to be safe than possibly facing 10 years in prison.

What has your experience been while traveling with medications? Please share in the comments below and at the MS News Today Forums. You’re also invited to visit my personal blog at www.themswire.com.

Note: Multiple Sclerosis News Today is strictly a news and information website about the disease. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. The opinions expressed in this column are not those of Multiple Sclerosis News Today or its parent company, BioNews, and are intended to spark discussion about issues pertaining to multiple sclerosis.