Airplane Security Measures for Passengers Carrying Diabetes Supplies

American Diabetes Association website. Update—Traveling with Diabetes Supplies and Equipment. Available at: http://www.diabetes.org/main/community/advocacy/travel.jsp. Reprinted by permission of Pharmacy Digest ®. All rights reserved. In the wake of September's terrorist attacks, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has implemented some security measures that could impact patients with diabetes who must carry syringes or lancets on board, according to the American Diabetes Association. Current rules are as follows:

• Passengers may board with syringes or insulin delivery systems only if they can show a vial of insulin with a professional, pharmaceutical preprinted label that clearly identifies the medication. Because the label is typically on the outside of the insulin box, the FAA recommends that patients refrain from discarding that box and come prepared with the insulin packaged in the box. The FAA says no exceptions will be made to these instructions.
• Patients who must test their blood sugar may bring lancets on board so long as they are capped, and the glucose meter is also brought on board. The glucose meter must show the manufacturer's embossed name.
• Patients who travel with glucagon should keep it packed in its original box with the preprinted pharmaceutical label.
• Prescriptions and letters of medical necessity will not be accepted due to forgery concerns.

Because individual carriers may have their own rules with regard to patients traveling with diabetes supplies and equipment, the American Diabetes Association recommends that passengers with diabetes call their airline at least one day in advance to find out the carrier's rules with regard to diabetes medicine and supplies. Be aware that airline policies are subject to change. Any passengers who are prevented from boarding because of a diabetes-related difficulty should ask to speak with the security screener's supervisor or the FAA grounds security commissioner at the airport. Passengers are advised to factor extra time into their travel plans to accommodate these new procedures. Pharmacy Digest 2002;7(3):1. Return to Top