Quick Handluggage Question

I appreciate there's a separate thread on this but I have a quick question please. I am diabetic and have to have insulin (5 injections daily) so will therefore need to travel with 'liquid' insulin. I already have a letter from my GP and also my hospital consultant confirming I am diabetic and need insulin, but I'm concerned with the 'enough for the journey' ruling - there is a major problem with insulin, if it goes below a certain temperature (i.e. in the aircraft hold) the insulin is useless (dangerous) to use and must be binned. There is no way 1 insulin cartridge to travel with will last me for my trip - does anyone know what would happen in this situation - would security let me take my complete box of 5 catridges with me?

Hi

From the VS site:

Flights Departing From UK Airports

Passengers may take through the airport security search point, in a single (ideally transparent) plastic carrier bag, only the following items. Nothing may be carried in pockets:

prescription medicines and medical items sufficient and essential for the flight (e.g., diabetic kit) However liquid medication e.g. insulin may only be carried with supporting documentation from the owners Doctor that verifies it as authentic.

Flights Departing From US Airports

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has implemented a series of security measures. Although the TSA is not restricting the carriage of hand luggage, all items are being hand searched at the departure gate and this is causing significant delays. It is therefore strongly recommended that you carry only the most essential items to speed up the security process and minimise flight delays.

The TSA have advised that the following measures are to take place with immediate effect:

No liquids or gels are allowed past the airport security checkpoint and they are not allowed to be carried either in hand luggage or on your person, except:


Baby formula, breast milk, or juice if a baby or small child is travelling
Prescription medicine with a name that matches the passenger's ticket
Insulin and essential other non-prescription medicines

Make sure you have the paperwork and everything should be OK

Have a good trip[y]

Thanks, as I've got my letter(s) hopefully I should be OK then [y]

Dont know if this helps too:

Department of Health memo:

All Medical Directors to pass to all doctors
All SHA non-medical prescribing leads to pass to all nurse prescribers
All PCT DsPH to pass to all GPs & all Pharmacists
NHS Direct
Devolved Administrations


11 August 2006


Dear Colleague,

Procedure for taking essential medicines on flights in the current security situation

Further to the change in security procedures at UK airports, and the need to check all luggage into the hold, the issue of medicines essential for the flight has arisen. We have been in discussion with the Department for Transport and have agreed the following procedure.

Passengers will be discouraged from carrying medicines and medical items in the cabin unless they are essential for the period from flight check-in to retrieving their luggage at destination. All other medication should be packed in hold luggage. People may be advised to pack fluids in a small coolpack.

Medicines that are in tablet or powder/inhaler form [up to 50 grammes] can be carried in the cabin.

If a passenger claims liquid, cream or gel medicines that they are carrying are sufficient and essential for the flight then they will be allowed to carry them provided that either:

A. The total amount they wish to take on board is below 50 ml, in its original container, eg GTN spray.
or
B. If the fluid is more than 50 mls, the material can be tested or satisfactorily verified as described below.

In order to verify the contents of medicine containers adult passengers will be asked to taste their own medicines. Plastic cups will be provided at the airports but passengers may chose to take their own plastic spoons for this purpose.

Adults accompanying children will be asked to taste non-prescription medicines for children eg cough medication, ibuprofen or paracetamol, if they are not allergic to them or have any contraindications to taking them.

Passengers carrying medicines that do not fall into these categories will be subject to further verification and security checks.

GPs and pharmacists will wish to ensure that, where possible, passengers are carrying medication in tablet or patch form sufficient for the duration of the flight and advise patients on which medicines need to be taken within the time from check-in to baggage retrieval [assume 4 hrs on top of flight time].

In a very small number of cases, it is possible that security staff will seek to verify the need for medicines with the prescriber before permitting travel.

We do not know how long these arrangements will be in place.

Many thanks for your help with this issue.





Prof Martin Marshall
DEPUTY CHIEF MEDICAL OFFICER

Thank you. Once again the first I hear of a new DoH memo is on an internet forum, rather than my in-tray at work....

[ii]

Originally posted by McCoy
Thank you. Once again the first I hear of a new DoH memo is on an internet forum, rather than my in-tray at work....

[ii]

And better still - on an airline internet forum!!!

Best not go into the NHS on here as we will set a record post count!! [:w]

My daughter is on a lot of medication for her arthritis, some of it is very potent if it gets into the wrong hands and is taken a the wrong dose. I am also concerned that if my luggage gets lost that we will have difficulty getting repeat prescriptions, any advice? I am tempted to take all her prescribed meds on the flight.

Originally posted by triciacarole
My daughter is on a lot of medication for her arthritis, some of it is very potent if it gets into the wrong hands and is taken a the wrong dose. I am also concerned that if my luggage gets lost that we will have difficulty getting repeat prescriptions, any advice? I am tempted to take all her prescribed meds on the flight.

Hi Trish,

I think the advice is to make sure you have a letter from your GP and then take everythng with you - at the very worst you could be made to put some of it in your case - but the Dr's letter should explain why you shouldnt be made to do that!

Thanks Mark