Medical Preparedness · Medications
Travel and Evacuation Prescriptions
How to carry medications when you leave home, get through security, refill in another state, and find help when prescriptions are lost in a disaster.
Planning guidance, not medical advice
This page helps you plan for carrying and accessing medications during travel and evacuation. It does not provide medical advice, clinical instruction, or treatment recommendations. Consult your doctor, pharmacist, or specialist about your specific medications, conditions, and devices before making any changes to your medical routine or supply.
What this guide covers
Two situations where medications leave the house, and the planning each one requires.
Travel and evacuation are different problems with overlapping solutions. A vacation gives you time to plan: you refill early, pack carefully, carry documentation, and know where the nearest pharmacy will be. An evacuation may give you fifteen minutes and whatever you can grab.
This guide covers both. The first half addresses the planned trip: how to pack, how to get through airport security, how to handle time zones, and how to refill when you are away from your usual pharmacy. The second half addresses the harder scenario: how to get medications during and after a disaster when your normal supply chain is broken.
The common thread is preparation. The household that has a current medication list, keeps medicines in original containers, and knows a few key phone numbers handles both situations from a position of strength rather than scrambling.
What this page does not cover: Building your emergency supply at home (see Prescription Preparedness), cold-chain management for refrigerated medications (see Refrigerated Medications), or clinical decisions about adjusting medications for travel. Those decisions belong with your prescribing physician.
Before you leave
How to pack and carry medications
Whether you are boarding a plane for a planned trip or loading a car for an evacuation, the same core principles apply: keep medications with you, keep them identifiable, and carry documentation.
Carry medications in your carry-on or personal bag
The TSA strongly recommends placing medications in carry-on baggage rather than checked luggage, in case you need immediate access.1 This is not just a travel tip. Checked bags get lost, delayed, and exposed to extreme temperatures in cargo holds. If you are evacuating by car, keep medications in the passenger compartment, not the trunk, for the same temperature reasons.
Bring enough medication for your entire trip plus at least three extra days. Flights get delayed, roads close, and evacuations last longer than expected. The CDC recommends having at least a week's supply when preparing for disruptions.2
Keep medicines in their original containers
The pharmacy label on the original bottle is your most useful piece of documentation. It shows the medication name, the prescriber, the pharmacy, the prescription number, and the fill date. That label can solve most problems at a distant pharmacy, at a security checkpoint, and at an emergency room.
The TSA does not require medications to be in original prescription bottles. However, some state laws do require labeled containers for controlled substances.1 The simplest approach: keep medications in original containers for the trip and bring a daily pill organizer separately for convenience. That way you have both the documentation and the daily routine.
Carry your medication list
FEMA recommends keeping a written copy of your prescriptions and orders for medical equipment with you at all times, plus a digital copy on a flash drive or phone.3 Your household medication list should travel with you. It includes every medication's name (brand and generic), the dose, the prescriber, the pharmacy, and the prescription number.
If you lose every bottle, this list is what a pharmacist needs to help you. Keep a paper copy in your wallet or bag, a photo on your phone, and if possible, a copy with someone at home who can read it to you over the phone.
Protect medications from heat and moisture
A waterproof bag or small waterproof container protects pills from rain, spills, and humidity during evacuation. If you are driving, keep the bag in the air-conditioned cabin. If you are flying, medications in carry-on stay in a temperature-controlled environment the entire trip. For medicines requiring cold storage, pack an insulated bag with ice packs. The TSA allows ice packs and gel packs for medically necessary cooling, even if they are partially melted by the time you reach screening.1 See Refrigerated Medications for detailed cold-chain guidance.
At the airport
Getting through security with medications
Airport security and medication do not need to be stressful. The TSA has clear policies, and most medications pass through without any extra steps. The key points, drawn directly from TSA guidance:1
Pills and solid medications
Unlimited quantities are allowed in carry-on. They pass through the X-ray like anything else. No special declaration is needed for pills, tablets, or capsules. If you prefer, you may request a visual inspection instead of X-ray screening.
Medically necessary liquids
Liquid medications, including insulin, liquid prescriptions, and medically necessary creams and gels, are exempt from the standard 3.4-ounce carry-on liquid rule.1 You may carry them in reasonable quantities for your trip. They do not need to be placed in the quart-sized bag with your other liquids.
You must declare medically necessary liquids to the TSA officer at the start of the screening process and place them in a separate bin for inspection. They may be opened, tested, or swabbed, but will not be confiscated for exceeding the standard liquid limit.
Syringes and injectable medications
Syringes are permitted in carry-on when accompanied by the injectable medication they are used for.1 Keep the syringe and the medication together so the purpose is clear. Used sharps should be placed in a proper sharps container. Insulin pumps and continuous glucose monitors can stay attached to the body through screening; inform the TSA officer before you go through.
One practical tip
Put all medications, whether pills, liquids, or injectables, into one clear bag or pouch inside your carry-on. When it is time to go through screening, pull that single pouch out. This speeds up the process, keeps everything organized, and makes it easy to declare your medically necessary liquids without digging through your bag at the belt.
When you need a refill away from home
Getting prescriptions filled in another state or during a disaster
Running out of a daily medication while away from home is one of the most common prescription problems during both travel and disasters. The solution depends on the situation: a planned trip gives you options that an evacuation may not.
Planned travel: refilling at a chain pharmacy
If you use a chain pharmacy with locations nationwide, your prescription records are usually accessible at any branch in the chain. Before you leave, confirm with your pharmacist that your prescriptions will be visible at locations in your destination state. Some controlled substances may have state-specific restrictions.
For non-chain pharmacies, ask your pharmacist to transfer your prescription to a pharmacy near your destination before you leave. This takes a phone call and is far easier to arrange before the trip than after you have run out.
During a disaster: emergency refill laws
When a governor declares a state of emergency, many states activate provisions that allow pharmacists to dispense emergency supplies of maintenance medications without contacting the prescriber. The specifics vary widely. A Healthcare Ready review of all 50 states and the District of Columbia found that only about 12 have laws specifically addressing emergency prescriptions during a public health emergency, while 16 have no such laws at all.4
Where these laws exist, they typically allow a pharmacist to dispense a limited supply, often 72 hours to 30 days, of a non-controlled maintenance medication using their professional judgment. Schedule II controlled substances almost always require prescriber authorization, even in an emergency.5
What helps most at the pharmacy counter: your medication list, any prescription bottles or labels you have, your insurance card, and your prescriber's name and phone number. The more information you can provide, the easier it is for the pharmacist to help you.
The Emergency Prescription Assistance Program (EPAP)
EPAP is a federal program that provides free 30-day supplies of prescription medications, vaccines, and certain medical supplies to uninsured individuals living in a federally declared disaster area.6 The program is administered by the HHS Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response (ASPR) and processed through more than 62,000 participating retail pharmacies nationwide.
EPAP is not activated for every disaster. It requires a federal disaster declaration. When active, eligible individuals can get their prescriptions filled at no cost at any participating pharmacy, even if they have evacuated to a different area.
EPAP Hotline: 1-855-793-7470
TTY: 1-800-876-1089. Call to check eligibility, find a participating pharmacy, or get help filing a claim.
Your insurance company's emergency line
Many insurance plans have emergency provisions that waive early-refill restrictions during a declared disaster. Some states require insurers to do this by law. Call the number on the back of your insurance card and explain your situation. Have your member ID, the medication name, and your prescriber's information ready.
If you do not know your insurance company's emergency number, your pharmacist may be able to look it up through the pharmacy's claims system. This is another reason to keep your insurance card in your wallet rather than at home in a drawer.
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
Can I bring prescription medications through airport security?
Yes. The TSA allows medications in both carry-on and checked baggage, and strongly recommends carry-on for immediate access.1 Pills pass through in unlimited quantities. Medically necessary liquids, including insulin, are exempt from the 3.4-ounce rule. Declare them at the start of screening and separate them for inspection.
Do I need to keep medications in their original bottles when traveling?
The TSA does not require it, but some state laws require labeled containers for controlled substances.1 The original pharmacy label is your fastest proof that a medication is yours, which speeds up security screening, pharmacy encounters in other states, and hospital visits. Keep originals for the trip and carry a daily pill organizer separately for convenience.
Can a pharmacy in another state refill my prescription during an emergency?
It depends on the state. Emergency prescription refill laws vary widely. When a disaster is declared, many states allow pharmacists to dispense limited emergency supplies of maintenance medications, often 72 hours to 30 days, without contacting the prescriber.4,5 Controlled substances have stricter rules in nearly every state. Call the pharmacy, explain the situation, and bring whatever documentation you have.
What is EPAP, and how do I use it after a disaster?
The Emergency Prescription Assistance Program provides free 30-day supplies of prescription medications, medical supplies, and vaccines to uninsured individuals in a federally declared disaster area.6 Call the EPAP Hotline at 1-855-793-7470 to check eligibility and find a participating pharmacy. EPAP is not activated for every disaster, so call to confirm.
What should I do if I lose my medications during an evacuation?
Call a pharmacy and explain. Pharmacists in most states can use their professional judgment to provide a short emergency supply of non-controlled maintenance medications. Bring your medication list, insurance card, prescriber's name, and any documentation you have. If you are uninsured and in a federally declared disaster area, ask about EPAP. Your insurance company's emergency line and your prescriber's office are additional resources.
Sources
- 1. TSA. "Travel Tips." Transportation Security Administration, U.S. Department of Homeland Security. Accessed September 4, 2026. tsa.gov/travel/travel-tips
- 2. CDC. "Hurricanes and Prescription Medications." Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Accessed September 4, 2026. cdc.gov/natural-disasters/.../hurricanes-and-prescription-medications.html
- 3. FEMA. "Medications in an Emergency Kit?" Federal Emergency Management Agency. Accessed September 4, 2026. fema.gov/faq/medications-emergency-kit
- 4. Healthcare Ready. "A Review of State Emergency Prescription Protocols." Healthcare Ready. Accessed September 4, 2026. healthcareready.org/a-review-of-state-emergency-prescription-protocols
- 5. Texas State Board of Pharmacy. "Emergency Dispensing of Prescription Medications." July 7, 2025. Accessed September 4, 2026. pharmacy.texas.gov/.../2025-Flood-Notification.pdf
- 6. ASPR. "About the Emergency Prescription Assistance Program." U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response. Accessed September 4, 2026. aspr.hhs.gov/EPAP/Pages/about-epap.aspx
- 7. Ready.gov. "Build A Kit." U.S. Department of Homeland Security. Accessed September 4, 2026. ready.gov/kit
Who to contact
Your pharmacist: The first call for refill questions, transfer requests, and emergency dispensing. Most chain pharmacies can access your records at any branch in the network.
Your prescribing physician: Contact before a planned trip for early refills, travel letters, and guidance on time-zone adjustments for time-sensitive medications.
EPAP Hotline: 1-855-793-7470 (TTY: 1-800-876-1089). For uninsured individuals in a federally declared disaster area. Checks eligibility and locates participating pharmacies.
Your insurance company: The number on the back of your insurance card. Ask about emergency refill provisions, out-of-network pharmacy coverage, and early-refill waivers during declared disasters.
TSA Cares: 1-855-787-2227. A helpline for travelers with disabilities and medical conditions who need assistance navigating the security screening process. Call at least 72 hours before your flight.
Related guides
Continue building your medication preparedness
Prescription Preparedness
How to build and maintain an emergency supply of prescription medications at home.
Read the guide →
Building a Medication List
The document that makes every pharmacy encounter, emergency room visit, and security checkpoint easier.
Read the guide →
Refrigerated Medications
Insulin, biologics, and other medicines that need cold storage during travel and outages.
Read the guide →
Over-the-Counter Medicines
The OTC medications worth keeping in your emergency supply and how to rotate them.
Read the guide →
Medical Go-Bag
The medical supplies that go beyond a standard first aid kit for travel and evacuation.
Read the guide →
Build a Household Medical Profile
The foundational document that ties all of your medical preparedness together.
Read the guide →
"The best time to repair the roof is when the sun is shining."
John F. Kennedy