Taking medication to RSA

[1Birddog!]

Has anyone had issues taking personal prescription medication to South Africa?

 

[BRICKBURN]

Bring a spare prescription and the containers with the proper labeling with your name on it and you should be fine.
They looked twice at an amount present. I pointed out that they had my name on the bottle and the issue was solved with my incredulous look.

 

[JimP]

Not at all.

On my last trip we flew Qatar so there was a extra flights and hours added onto the trip. I had my prescriptions in their original bottles inside of my carry on and to make things easier on me for when I had to take them I keep enough of them inside smaller pill bottles for the 3-4 times that I had to take them. I'm on 5 prescriptions and wasn't questioned about it once.

I did however leave my real good pain killers at home and took a bottle of Tylenol instead.

 

[coreydb]

Absolutely no problems at all.

 

[bpdilligaf]

I’m at OR Tambo now. Headed to Zim. No probs whatsoever. Bulk of meds were in original containers with my name in my checked bags.

Also have 7 days worth in a daily pill container in my carry (in case my checked bag gets delayed) on….no labels whatsoever.

Also, let me add, it’s worth every penny to have a company such as Gracy Travel arrange travel for you. Having someone carry your bags and escort you everywhere is amazing.

 

[wesheltonj]

If you are traveling through the Middle East don’t take Sudafed, or risk being in jail.

 

[Doug3006]

No one has ever asked to see my prescriptions. Just have them in an original bottle with your name on it. You’ll be fine.

 

[Mark Biggerstaff]

Never had any issues with meds either in carry on or extras in checked bags. All precriptions in original containers, over the counter in original packages, on both Delta and Qatar. I have all kinds also, with allergy problems and one instance in particular Inow carry a nebulizer and liquid cartridges for it. No one has questioned it when they see it.

 

[Nyati]

In ten trips to RSA, nobody ever looked in my luggage or carry on.

The agriculture inspectors did ask me a couple of times if I was carrying any food or plants.

 

[SZSA375]

I fly from the States to SA 2-3 times a year. I carry my prescription medications in the labeled bottles in my personal item (in case my carry-on bag is unexpectedly checked), and have never had a problem.

 

[Hedge774]

Has anyone had issues taking personal prescription medication to South Africa?

My advice is of course to check with the airlines. That being said, I was very surprised at the lack of scrutiny my carry on bag received. It looked like someone had unzipped it then decided that it wasn't worth the bother. Zero questions were asked and I had half a dozen prescription bottles with me. Good luck!

 

[Rumrunner]

I have had no issues, flew Qatar through Doha to Joburg. Meds were in the prescription bottles in my carry on. I don’t believe you are allowed to bring any narcotic/opiod pain killers, sedatives, anti anxiety meds no matter a prescription.

 

[godwincp]

I’m in SA now now. Aced pills a daily pillbox and took pics of the prescription bottles. No one checked and frankly no one has ever checked

 

[Philip Glass]

Has anyone had issues taking personal prescription medication to South Africa?

No but if you read the fine print on some destinations an actual prescription is required. If I were confronted I'd likely lose it on the person because the label is the RX as far as I'm concerned! That said if you could get a printed copy it would be a small piece of mind.

 

[JG26Irish_2]

It may be better to carry meds in their original bottles. However, for older people who may be on many prescriptions, this can often prove to be impractical when attempting to pack all of your gear into one 50lb bag and one carry on. I take several meds in the morning and a few more at night plus a few over the counter supplements. For every trip, I count them out into two seven day pill cases for a 14day trip and carry one in my carry on and the 2nd in my checked bag. I also carry a photo of all of my prescriptions in the original bottles with the Rx number and Dr's name, etc. Ideally, it is nice to carry a new script from your Dr to fill in RSA if they are lost. This last item, I did not do. I have never had a issue travelling in this manner.

 

[Ontario Hunter]

I think it's a good idea to take as little Rx medications as possible. Maybe two week's supply for nine days hunting. And of course in original containers. Leave the excess at home. That way if checked no one would suspect a drug mule with just a handful of pills. Perhaps a bunch of Rx bottles filled to the brim for a week's vacation might be suspicious. I would not have any meds in the daily pill dispenser while traveling. Bring it empty and refill it after in camp.

I have traveled to RSA with a few Tylenol 3 (codeine) and Valium (only thing that settles my jumpy legs at high altitude) in carryon. No problems. The Tylenol is for just in case toothache, sprained knee, etc. Both are in proper Rx bottles and if somehow confiscated or stolen, it wouldn't be a big deal.

 

[Ontario Hunter]

It may be better to carry meds in their original bottles. However, for older people who may be on many prescriptions, this can often prove to be impractical when attempting to pack all of your gear into one 50lb bag and one carry on. I take several meds in the morning and a few more at night plus a few over the counter supplements. For every trip, I count them out into two seven day pill cases for a 14day trip and carry one in my carry on and the 2nd in my checked bag. I also carry a photo of all of my prescriptions in the original bottles with the Rx number and Dr's name, etc. Ideally, it is nice to carry a new script from your Dr to fill in RSA if they are lost. This last item, I did not do. I have never had a issue travelling in this manner.

I can't get a US prescription refilled in Canada or vice versa. I really doubt you'd be able to get one refilled in South Africa. But I could be wrong. Greenbacks carry a lot more weight there.