I'm traveling (on business) to Japan, and am wondering how my HRT meds are going to be going through Japanese customs. Does anyone else have experience with prescription medication (HRT or otherwise) and international travel? I suppose I could go four days without the pills, but I just started and I'd really rather not miss any.

Ideas?

I had no problems with my HRT traveling to the US and the UK.  They were in their prescription bottles and I had a copy of the prescriptions with me.

Steph

How did you manage to have a copy of the prescription? I gave mine to the pharmacist in order to get the pills.

If your really worried could always just put them in your pockets or something.  I don't think pills are going to set off the metal detector.

Quote from: shanetastic on November 07, 2007, 10:35:32 PM
If your really worried could always just put them in your pockets or something.  I don't think pills are going to set off the metal detector.

They rattle... and it'd be really gross if I were caught trying to sneak drugs into Japan. Especially estrogen. Especially in front of my boss.

This is true hehe.  Well, I've taken stuff to other countries, and was never even asked what it was.  I just threw it in my suitcase, not my carry on.  So I don't know.  I'm not certain that the airlines/international countries care if you bring like your perscriptions into their country.

I've gone between Canada and the U.S. numerous times with my meds.  I take prescriptions besides estrogen.

All of the prescription vials had labels on them with my name and the doctor's name.  I carried them in a small tote bag.  Customs going both directions looked at them and never said a word.

I hope that this helps.

Wing Walker

Just watch out for the estrogen sniffing dogs...

J/K I have flown all over north and south america and several places in europe, not once even asked what they were. I toss them in the bag with my OTC meds in their pharmacy bottles and i would imagine as long as the pills match the description on the lable that most countries wouldnt give a ding dong what you were bringing in prescription wise as long as it was not a banned substance in their country and you had not too much more than the required dosage for the duration of your visa.

DANA

Quote from: AlwaysLauren on November 07, 2007, 10:31:22 PM
How did you manage to have a copy of the prescription? I gave mine to the pharmacist in order to get the pills.

My pharmacy provides a printed sheet with each med that includes the prescription description and contact information including the doctor's name.  I carry them in my purse.

I worked in Japan, Malaysia, Thailand and in recent years travelled to China, Korea and many other far flung countries.

I have never had a problem taking prescription medicine into any country, often had it looked at, but never confiscated.

On short trips, I have a pill box (plastic) which I carry in my handbag.

Rebecca

Quote from: AlwaysLauren on November 07, 2007, 10:31:22 PM
How did you manage to have a copy of the prescription? I gave mine to the pharmacist in order to get the pills.

In Ontario, Canada we are always given a copy of our prescriptions, and the prescription is afixed to the pill container.  I would ask your doctor to provide you with a list of medications that you take with you.

Steph

You shouldn't have any problems as long as the name on the prescription bottle matches your passport.  If I were you, I'd also take a letter from my therapist just in case.

tink

Well, I came and went and it turns out I was worried about nothing. I left the pills in my bag and they didn't even look at the bottles, it was just x-rayed with everything else and I went on through.

Thank you all for your help!