Prescriptions on the Road...

While reading an article in the latest copy of the Escapees Magazine, I came across an article about traveling with Prescriptions...

Apparently (specifically in Texas in this article), it is illegal to have your medications in the daily/weekly/monthly pill dispensers...Otherwise, you could be considered transporting and in the possession of a "controlled substance". Prescriptions HAVE to be kept in the original pill containers with all of the information on it.

Now, I can see both sides of this story... A "illegal pharmacist" could just stick crack or other "contraband" in these containers and call it his "medicine". So, from that perspective, I understand. I just would have never really thought about this while traveling. On the other hand, I bet those with multiple prescriptions keep these in containers on a regular basis. It makes it very easy to keep up with and know that you have taken everything for that time frame. I wonder how often people really get "busted" for this? What happens if you are going to Alaska and cross into Canada?

We've crossed in and out of Canada numerous times over the years and have never been asked about Drugs or Prescriptions. Going into Canada they are more concerned with Firearms, Pepper Spray, and Bear Spray. And have never been asked upon re-entering the US.
But we do travel with meds in those daily pill boxes, so I guess we're Drug Smugglers.

We are also smuggling those highly sought after blood pressure & cholesterol narcotics across numerous state lines, glad those narcotic dogs at border patrol stops didn't bust us. And yes they're all mixed up in one of those weekly containers, but don't tell anyone.

Can't speak for the other Provinces, but in BC our Chemist offers a free service where they will package your prescriptions in special daily boxes with up to 4 slots per day, so I doubt it is illegal.

As Michelle mentioned, I would be more concerned making sure you don't bring illegal firearms or other weapons into Canada.

Crossed the border hundreds of times and never been asked about meds - prescription or over-counter.

We've crossed in and out of Canada numerous times over the years and have never been asked about Drugs or Prescriptions. Going into Canada they are more concerned with Firearms, Pepper Spray, and Bear Spray. And have never been asked upon re-entering the US.
But we do travel with meds in those daily pill boxes, so I guess we're Drug Smugglers.

Like you, we have never been asked about precsriptions when entering the US, but I note on RV.net that some folks have been, and there is a 90 day maximum on the amount you can bring in.
The link to the FDA website is below.
link

I'm going to jail with Danny and Michelle ..

Dory could never keep it straight without pre-loading in those little daily dispensers.

Never had any issue with medication either. I also travel to many states and just take my empty prescription bottle into any Walgreens and they happily refill it for me.

That said nothing I use would be remotely close to a "controlled substance", like stuff for pain, so that may be a different thing all together.

It's an interesting conversation for sure. What if the pill container contained only "aspirin" or worse yet, "antacids"? Both over-the-counter drugs? I guess they would pull you over, body slam you to the curb, handcuff you and then throw you in jail until they determined that it was not crack or something?

Remember...I just read the article...I didn't write the article. I'm just passing what others are warning. Staying in a resort or campground, I probably would not worry about it too much. Driving across State lines, it has given us something to think about (if we remember). I guess we can put this on our pull-out checklist? Man...That would make a real sour moment to get some rookie just trying to make a name for himself with the use of some old folks...I'm afraid that with an incident like that, it should have no trouble making the evening news for sure.

For gosh sakes, don't use a container like that to store salt, sugar or flour...

I'm surprised no one has mentioned the added benefit of those daily containers is that it help remind me what day of the week it is when I take my medication in the morning :).

That's funny Ken as that's exactly how I keep track of what day it is.
Traveling across this great country I've got numerous things to be concerned about & not a lot of time to worry about the "what ifs".
We've been into Canada, crossed hundreds of state lines & the only person asking about our medications have been the folks at Walgreens where they get refilled.
Us baby boomers are the majority of the rvers traveling around & I would guess there's not too many of them that aren't taking some kind of medications, so they could stop any one of us to find pills in a little reminder box & fill a lot of jails.

Prescriptions are always an interesting topic. I take a couple of medications that are now Controlled Substances. We haven't crossed a border, but we travel all around the country. If they arrested me and took me in without my medication... it would take them about 5 hours and they would be begging George to take me back.

It has been a little bit of a challenge getting them shipped to us around the country. So far UPS is the one that will ship anything except Narcotics and illegal. (With a Colorado address, it may be a red flag--but have so far had no issues.)