Medications on long cruises.

[GUT2407]

Just wondering what people on World cruise, Circle Pacific etc do about medications.

 

Normally I can't get a prescription filled inside 28 days (or thereabouts), so I can't stock up. How do you get on getting a prescription filled overseas from an Aussie doctor.

 

Guess I'll ask my Doc next time I see him.

[victravellers]

Just wondering what people on World cruise, Circle Pacific etc do about medications.

 

Normally I can't get a prescription filled inside 28 days (or thereabouts), so I can't stock up. How do you get on getting a prescription filled overseas from an Aussie doctor.

 

Guess I'll ask my Doc next time I see him.

 

Hi, when you see your doctor tell them how long you will be away. They can mark the prescriptions Reg 24 which allows you to get them filled all at once without worrying about the 21 day rule.

As far as your question, you cannot get a script filled overseas from an Aussie doctor.

[Kiwi Kruzer]

It is also wise to inform the ships Medical team well ahead of your medication needs , so that they can ensure they have supplies or substitutes available on board if the need arises.

[Hogbay]

Yes see Dr , they tick a box , each prescription for multiple quantities should be so endorsed or the satisfaction of the pharmacist ie dates on cruise ticket :)

 

Trouble

[GUT2407]

Hi, when you see your doctor tell them how long you will be away. They can mark the prescriptions Reg 24 which allows you to get them filled all at once without worrying about the 21 day rule.

As far as your question, you cannot get a script filled overseas from an Aussie doctor.

 

Thanks I figured there must be some provision.

 

I'm currently drug free, but really probably a couple I should be on.

[GUT2407]

It is also wise to inform the ships Medical team well ahead of your medication needs , so that they can ensure they have supplies or substitutes available on board if the need arises.

 

Yeah I normally notify them of my conditions.

[Blue Elephant]

When we go to Europe, we go for 7 weeks. I just go down to the pharmacist and request a double dispense because I am going overseas. I take my airline tickets with me, but they never want to see them.

 

THere are two times that you could have issues. One would be controlled substances where they keep a strict count on it. Last time I went overseas, I had a script for Something that they could not fill till the Monday and I was starting to travel on Tuesday afternoon. They said I would need to contact the prescribing doctor to get around it. I imagine this would apply to heavy duty opiates.

 

The other issue that could get a bit touchy is if you have something on "authority script" (ie the price to the PBS is greater than what they charge you). If you are taking a lot out of the country, Border Force may question you to check it is for your own use. I saw that on one of those border Patrol shows on TV once. Some medications can cost hundreds of dollars but we still get them for $37 if our treating doctor certifies that the cheaper treatments are not suitable.

[GUT2407]

When we go to Europe, we go for 7 weeks. I just go down to the pharmacist and request a double dispense because I am going overseas. I take my airline tickets with me, but they never want to see them.

 

THere are two times that you could have issues. One would be controlled substances where they keep a strict count on it. Last time I went overseas, I had a script for Something that they could not fill till the Monday and I was starting to travel on Tuesday afternoon. They said I would need to contact the prescribing doctor to get around it. I imagine this would apply to heavy duty opiates.

 

The other issue that could get a bit touchy is if you have something on "authority script" (ie the price to the PBS is greater than what they charge you). If you are taking a lot out of the country, Border Force may question you to check it is for your own use. I saw that on one of those border Patrol shows on TV once. Some medications can cost hundreds of dollars but we still get them for $37 if our treating doctor certifies that the cheaper treatments are not suitable.

 

 

It's the heavy duty opiates that are the big need for me.

[Docker123]

Thank you for a very interesting thread and responses.

 

I have Ben checking off my meds, and how the numbers and dosages compare to departure and return dates. Better have a chat with the chemist on travel amounts, but seem to recall they can dispenses up to 3 months worth for special occasions.

 

I have travelled quite a lot with prescription drugs. Always take original packaging and scripts. Never had an issue.The next trip has me more concerned, and some really helpful information in here.

 

I now have the joys of 2 things mentioned here -- powerful opioids and another on an authority script (costs 6-10 times as much in US).

 

A few more things to do until 22 Feb.

[brabrant10]

Always bring an extra 5 or so tablets just in case -like me you drop a pill on the floor

 

 

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[loosygoosy]

Another question on the same topic. What do you do with MEDS that need refrigeration?? The bar fridges are not cold enough??

 

 

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[cb at sea]

I don't know how your health care system works, but if we are going to be on vacation, I can get a "vacation waiver" to get Rx's that aren't due to be filled yet. See if something like that is possible for you.

 

If not, have the doctor write an RX for you to take....most countries can fill them, I would think. Of course, you will pay out of pocket...I'm assuming your insurance would reimburse you later......

[The Other Tom]

I asked the same question on the world causing board a while back...

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2401870

[victravellers]

The best place to start would be your doctor.

They can endorse your scripts with a Reg 24 which allows you to get all of your repeats at once, which can be up to six months supply.

 

If you do NOT have a reg 24 endorsed script the pharmacy can in some cases dispense more than one repeat but this depends on the medication. These additional scripts will not count towards your safety net.

 

With regards to the controlled substances, the doctor may be able to write a script for a larger quantity to cover you while you are away. You would definitely need a doctors note to carry with you and keep all meds in original packaging.

 

I hope this helps

[Aus Traveller]

Prescriptions can be filled after 21 days and still count towards the safety net. We prepare for long cruises by (several times) having our prescriptions filled in the 21 days rather than waiting 28 days. Yes - I know that is stock-piling.:D Then we can get extra meds by asking the doctor to endorse with "Regulation 24" allowing the pharmacist to fill more than one script, or we ask the pharmacist to fill a repeat early. As mentioned this doesn't count towards the safety net, but we rarely have enough scripts in the year to qualify for this anyway. I would not assume that an overseas pharmacy would be able to fill an Australian prescription. The one time I tried to buy a medication (not my usual one), I was told I had to see a doctor to get a prescription. This was in Holland. Getting an appointment and visiting a doctor usually would not be able to be accomplished in one day in a port. Anyway, I don't want to spend my time waiting to see a doctor.

 

We travel with a virtual pharmacy. We each only take one prescribed med every day, but we carry several courses of antibiotics as well as vitamins etc. and have never been queried.

 

Our meds don't need refrigeration, but we find that the fridges vary in their effectiveness. Some fridges are reasonably cold and I think would be effective for storing medication.

Edited January 15, 2017 by Aus Traveller

[happysnapper]

As mentioned in a number of posts - have GP tick Regulation24 so repeats can be filled for your extended time out of Australia. Medical Summary from your GP which includes list of CURRENT medications. Alternative and using Reg24 why not carry Webster Packs, not sure if they would get approval OS as medications would not be in original containers, but they are sealed. Has anyone tried this method? These will certainly not take up as much room as loads of bottles and packets.

Edited January 15, 2017 by happysnapper

[MicCanberra]

Good points.:D

[LokiPoki]

Is it just your GP who prescribes them GUT, or a specialist? It's a while since I've been on regular oral opioids -other than breakthrough, my opioids are intrathecal pump now, so I can't leave the country for more than a month at a time anyway as the darn thing needs filling by my specialist - but I've an idea that provided I'd had a review by another GP in the clinic, my own GP was allowed to get an authority script for much longer, even for the opioids.

 

Blue Elephant kind of raised the point already - if it's a serious consideration rather than a hypothetical - you'd need to look at what your ports of call are, and whether you need to carry meds ashore with you. I'm off to the UK later this year (flying, not cruising) and will be going via Dubai. Only transiting through, but given the meds I'll be carrying (opioids, benzodiazepines) I'm not taking the risk of being caught without the appropriate paperwork - not just the usual script and doctors letter, but have to get doctor's letter 'authenticated' by DFAT ($80, thank you very much) and then submit a request to the UAE embassy to carry said drugs with me through Dubai (another $90...methinks someone is making easy money...). I think many Asian countries are similar in having to get embassy permission, though possibly without the same costs...a friend cruised to China and Japan a couple of years ago and know for Japan at least she had to get permission for similar meds.

[GUT2407]

Is it just your GP who prescribes them GUT, or a specialist? It's a while since I've been on regular oral opioids -other than breakthrough, my opioids are intrathecal pump now, so I can't leave the country for more than a month at a time anyway as the darn thing needs filling by my specialist - but I've an idea that provided I'd had a review by another GP in the clinic, my own GP was allowed to get an authority script for much longer, even for the opioids.

 

Blue Elephant kind of raised the point already - if it's a serious consideration rather than a hypothetical - you'd need to look at what your ports of call are, and whether you need to carry meds ashore with you. I'm off to the UK later this year (flying, not cruising) and will be going via Dubai. Only transiting through, but given the meds I'll be carrying (opioids, benzodiazepines) I'm not taking the risk of being caught without the appropriate paperwork - not just the usual script and doctors letter, but have to get doctor's letter 'authenticated' by DFAT ($80, thank you very much) and then submit a request to the UAE embassy to carry said drugs with me through Dubai (another $90...methinks someone is making easy money...). I think many Asian countries are similar in having to get embassy permission, though possibly without the same costs...a friend cruised to China and Japan a couple of years ago and know for Japan at least she had to get permission for similar meds.

 

It's normally just my GP prescribes them, currently I'm on nothing, due to some side effects, but was on OxyContin and Fentynl for years, expect I will be again soon. And if I go back on them it plays up with all sorts of things and I end up on a raft of other drugs too, blood pressure, diabetes, depression cramps muscle spasm, stomache upset etc, last time I was on the string opioids ended up needing 18 medications to deal with side effect issues, once of the opiates gradually got off all the others.

 

We would love to do a World Cruise, so about four months, and can't see that I'd need to take anything off the ship.

 

At the end of the day I'll go through my Doctor(S) it's just one of the things that go into the planning phase.