TikTok travel hack for meds 'a big mistake'
A packaging expert has called out a viral TikTok video that describes using a Tic Tac box to carry medicines whilst travelling, warning that it could lead to people being banned from flights.
The video recommends swapping medicines from their original packaging to save space while travelling, but the small saving in space isn't worth the risk, according to Steve Brownett-Gale of pharma packaging specialist Origin.
"While the smaller container might marginally take up less space in your luggage, most countries require you to keep your medication from its original packaging when travelling overseas," according to Brownett-Gale.
"Airport security may not be able to identify the medication if it is not in its original packaging or if the label is not clear or legible," he added. "This lack of identification could raise concerns, and they may ask for additional information or documentation, delaying or even preventing you from boarding the flight."
There are plenty of other concerns about removing medicines from their original packaging, particularly when the advice is to use a container that ordinarily contains sweets.
"Pharmaceutical packaging is specially designed to keep children safe and prevent them from accidentally ingesting dangerous substances. It can be all too easy for children to mistake tablets for sweets, which could be fatal for the wrong medication and dosage," said Brownett-Gale.
In addition, medication taken from its original packaging could lose its effectiveness, he cautioned, as drugmakers carefully select materials in their packaging to protect drugs from light, moisture and air that can degrade its stability and potency.
Brownett-Gale also advises that travellers carefully check the rules and regulations of the country they are visiting ahead of time.
"Some popular summer destinations, such as Dubai, have different classifications for controlled medications," he said. "If you have a prescription for antidepressants or sleeping tablets, for example, you may be required to bring a letter of proof that the medication has been prescribed to you before you travel."
Furthermore, people are not permitted to bring more than three months' supply of medication on a flight when departing from the UK.
"If you plan to be abroad for longer than this period and need to bring a larger volume of medication, you'll have to apply for a personal license from the Home Office," he noted.
The video is another example of the double-edged sword posed by social media when it comes to health. On the one hand, platforms like TikTok can be put to good use by healthcare professionals to deliver advice to a large audience, particularly teenagers and young adults.
On the other, they can be a terrible source for health advice, as revealed by a study presented at the Digestive Disease Week conference in the US in May, which revealed that 40% of all TikTok videos containing the words "cirrhosis" or "liver disease" were found to contain misleading information and inaccurate claims.
