Medicines on the airplane Qatar Airways: Should you put it in hand luggage, or in the hold?

If you need to take a treatment, the first essential step is to find out from your airline company about the procedures in force, and to contact your doctor to obtain the necessary documents.

Most of the time, you need to be able to present a medical prescription for the prescriptions you are taking with you. Sometimes, a dedicated form from the regional health agency will also be required (especially in the case of transporting psychoactive substances). Products like oxygen, needles and fluids are particularly scrutinized.

However, if you have the necessary supporting documents, you will of course be able to embark with your treatment.

Are you under medical treatment and are going on an airplane trip soon? Take the time to get informed before packing your suitcase and going to the airport, the transport of medicines by plane is strongly regulated in Qatar as in other countries of the world.

While few precautions are necessary for medications placed in checked baggage, the constraints are greater regarding the medications you want to carry in your hand baggage, regardless of your destination. Indeed, certain drugs are sometimes prohibited or their quantity restricted in the cabin for safety reasons.

What precautions should be taken before departure to take medication by plane?

First of all, you must find out about the regulations relating to the transport of medicines from your airline. Knowing that you are flying with Qatar Airways, do so preferably several weeks before your trip. This will give you time to obtain prescriptions, special authorizations or even a medical certificate (in English) if the company asks you for them in order to be able to board.

Also find out about the medications you want to transport, as some of them are authorized in France but banned in other countries.

According to the FCO (Foreign and Commonwealth Office), drugs containing pseudoephedrine (Actifed, Nurofen, Dolirhume, Humex, Rhinadvil, …) are for example banned in Japan. The same is true for tramadol, lamaline and certain codeine-based drugs which are in turn considered drugs in some countries such as Greece, Georgia or the United Arab Emirates. Also take care when packing. Whether in the cabin or in the hold, your medicines transported by plane must be transported in their original packaging with their instructions, ideally store them in a transparent bag to facilitate security checks.

What medications can you take with you in the cabin?

It is quite possible to take medication in cabin baggage when traveling by plane. Tablets, capsules and other solid medicines are not subject to any particular restrictions when boarding and can therefore be transported in the cabin without worry. If in doubt, take a prescription with you anyway. However, this is not the case for medicines in liquid form, which you can only carry in the cabin if you have a prescription in your name that you will have to present to controls. With the latter, you will be authorized to carry with you in the cabin the quantity of medication necessary for the total duration of your stay (outward flight, length of stay and return flight).

You can also take with you in the cabin any medical equipment that you may need during the trip (for example a self-monitoring device if you have diabetes). However, this medical equipment must be carried in the cabin in one piece of luggage. In the event of transporting medical equipment by plane, you must bring with you documents proving that it is essential for you during the flight.

What medication should we put in the hold?

Medicines carried in the hold are not subject to the same strict rules as medicines carried on the person or in cabin baggage. Painkillers, pills, … Check all the same that the medicines you want to place in your checked baggage support the travel conditions: low temperatures and pressure changes, especially for medicines in liquid form.

8 Replies to “Medicines on the airplane Qatar Airways: Should you put it in hand luggage, or in the hold?”

  1. Shree

    Hi I am a Multiple Sclerosis patient, and I need to carry my injection pen (interferon beta) hand carry and need to be kept cold. Will be carrying cooler bag. I have letter from neurologist to support. Will qatar airways provide support to keep my medication cold on flight. Flying from Kuala Lumpur to Trondheim. Transit through Doha to Oslo then through SAS to Trondheim. Please advise.

  2. Hauwa

    Hello, I am travelling from Nigeria to London next week. Am I allowed to take several antibiotics with me and other antidiarrhea medication.

  3. Jennifer Jelliss

    I take 20 tablets a day sorted into four times a day in pill boxes. Am I allowed to carry some like this on the plane. Also can I take the rest of my medication in original doctors boxes needed for the length of my trip to Australia from Heathrow in hand luggage in order that is not lost or delayed in the hold?

    Thank you

  4. S...

    Hello, I am sorry I have one question, I have type 1 diabetes and I should take with me my insulins, my insulin pen, needles and glucometer in order to check my sugar, can I bring it in my bagpack and ar they any restrictions?

  5. James

    I am due to fly to Australia via Quatar and I need to take 28 1mg tablets of Respiridone for my duration of stay in Australia. I will not require my medication while I am waiting for my connecting flight in Quatar. Therefore is it advised I carry my medication in my hand or cabin baggage? Accompanying my medication will be my prescription and a signed letter from my doctor confirming this medication is for my use only. Any help would be appreciated

  6. Wilma McPherson

    Are the following allowed on the hand baggage or must it be booked with your other luggage that is put in the hold:
    Gaviscon Liquid sachets for heartburn and Indigestion
    SmectaGo liquid sachets for diarrhoea

  7. Janet Sayce

    I am travelling from Australia to Spain and onward to UK in May. I need to take 4 x Dupixent 300mg/2ml pre-filled syringes – which will need refrigeration during the flight. Please advise what is required by me to ensure this takes place without holdup. Thank you.

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