In 2023, Austrian holidaymakers made a total of around 27 million trips, with the summer months being the peak travel times. With the start of the travel season, Alexander Herzog, Secretary General of Pharmig (Association of the Austrian Pharmaceutical Industry), is making an urgent appeal to travellers to be particularly responsible when handling medication while on holiday.
"It is important to have a first aid kit with you in order to save time in the event of illness and to ensure rapid medical care. People who take medication regularly should be appropriately equipped for longer stays. Nevertheless, medication is a sensitive product and it is therefore crucial to handle it carefully, especially under the conditions of a trip. This also includes storing it correctly on holiday and disposing of it in an environmentally friendly way when it is no longer needed," explains Herzog.
When traveling to warmer regions in particular, it is important to protect not only your skin from the sun, but also the medication you are carrying. Many active ingredients in medications are sensitive to heat and light, which can affect their effectiveness without any external changes being visible. Medications should therefore be protected from light and moisture and stored as cool as possible. Special bags or boxes with ice packs are ideal for transport. In addition, travelers should read the package insert carefully to get all the important information.
Herzog recommends that air travelers carry medication in their hand luggage to avoid problems if their main luggage arrives late. "It is important to observe the regulations for liquids. A medical certificate in German and English can help minimize any delays at the security check," he adds. Before departure, travelers should also clarify at the doctor's office or pharmacy whether an import permit is required for certain medications.
With regard to the environmentally friendly disposal of medication, Herzog stresses the importance of not disposing of leftover tablets, liquids or expired medicines in the household waste or down the toilet. Instead, they should be taken to the nearest pharmacy to ensure proper disposal. "Responsibility for the environment does not end at the holiday destination," Herzog emphasizes. It is also important to wash your hands thoroughly after applying a medicinal ointment to prevent active ingredients from entering the wastewater.
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