The Pharmaceutical Journal
Vol 277 No 7426 p568
11 November 2006

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Small amounts of liquids allowed on flights

Air passengers are allowed to carry small amounts of liquids in their hand baggage from this week. Under revised hand baggage restrictions, liquids must be in containers of no more than 100ml and all containers of liquids must fit in a single transparent resealable bag (approximately 20cm x 20cm), to be viewed by airport security.

But the Government’s restrictions still offer travellers little in the way of reassurance about flying with their medicines. A guide to the new requirements says that more than 100ml of essential medicines and baby food may be allowed, but will be subject to authentication. A Department for Transport spokesman told The Journal that it is up to individual airports how best they want to verify travellers’ medicines. He said that airports might ask travellers to show a doctor’s letter or a copy of their prescription.

A spokesman for BAA Heathrow said that passengers are allowed to take essential medicines sufficient for the trip.“If the container is larger than 100ml this should be presented at security for X-ray inspection. There is no limit on the amount; however, you may be asked to verify the liquid,” he said.

He explained: “Prescription medicine in labelled [containers] should be supported by a doctor’s letter stating the required dose for the duration of the trip. For non-prescription medicine, ie, cough syrup or other liquid medicine, they may be required to visit the pharmacy with an airline representative for verification of the item.”

The airport operator said that travellers may carry both insulin and needles on board the aircraft, if necessary for the flight.

According to Jonathan Gardner, area manager for Boots London airport stores, the new guidance suggests that passengers should take in their hand luggage only the quantity of liquid medicines they require for the flight, and to put the remainder into their checked-in luggage. “In most cases,” he said, “we expect 100ml to be sufficient for any liquid medicine required for the flight so we do not anticipate the need to verify any medicines.”