Is It Illegal To Travel With Your Medication In A Seven-Day Pill Box?
In recent years, the problem of prescription drug abuse has evolved into a major public health concern, with a strong focus on the widespread taking of opioid painkillers, like Oxycontin. However, from a legal perspective, there are strict regulations for all medications that require a medical prescription. If you are caught possessing these drugs without having a valid prescription, you could potentially be arrested and be faced with a charge of illegally possessing a controlled substance.
What Does The State Of Texas Consider To Be A Valid Prescription?
Texas legislation states that only licensed medical practitioners, optometrists, dentists, podiatrists, or veterinarians may issue a prescription. An advanced practice nurse or physician’s assistant, in certain cases, can issue a prescription when supervised by a physician. The medical prescription must be in compliance with specific packaging and labeling regulations.
For instance, it is noted by a Houston DUI attorney that it is required by the Texas Board of Pharmacies that all medical prescriptions be dispensed using child-proof containers that have a label with specific details on it, including the name, telephone, and address of the dispensing pharmacy unless the patient has a different request. The label also must have details regarding the date that a prescription was filled, the physician’s name who wrote the prescription, the medication’s quantity, and instructions for using the medicine that can easily be read by the patient.
A medical doctor’s authorization is required in order for a medical prescription to be refilled. The physician can authorize refills with the initial medical prescription. You are not, however, legally allowed to request that pharmaceuticals be dispensed in advance by a pharmacist. Prescriptions in Texas all have a six to twelve-month legal time limit. After the original prescription has expired, there are no remaining valid repeat prescriptions for the patient.
Something important to note is that certain controlled substances have a high risk of abuse associated with them. Therefore, it is illegal to use a refill prescription. These controlled substances are referred to as Schedule II drugs and they include Ritalin, Percodan, Dexedrine, and Morphine. In order to obtain these drugs, you must get a new medical prescription every time your physician thinks it is required for you to have additional medication.
Can You Travel With Pills Without Them Being In The Original Bottle?
Although it is more beneficial to carry prescription drugs inside their original containers than the dispensing pharmacy provided, some people choose to use a separate container due to convenience. One example of those containers is using a seven-day pill organizer that helps to keep track of your medication usage. Although for home use that can be helpful, when traveling it might pose legal risks.
In some U.S. states, it is illegal or forbidden to carry prescription medication in generic or unlabeled containers. In regards to this topic, there have not been any legal regulations indicated by the state of Texas. However, the problem is, if police officers stop you and you don’t have the original container for your prescription medication, you might be arrested for possessing a dangerous substance. In Texas, it is considered to be a Class A misdemeanor and carries a maximum $4,000 penalty and a minimum one-year jail sentence.
If can provide a current and valid medical prescription for your medication, then you most likely will not be arrested. If you do decide to travel with your medication in a generic container, the best thing to do is to keep copies of your written medical prescriptions in your wallet or car. That will help you avoid any potential misunderstandings if the police approach you.
Always remember that US law enforcement doesn’t have the legal right to stop you and search you for medication. In order to substantiate searching a person for drugs, the police must have the right context and proper consent from you.
For more information, call us or contact Butler Law Firm today to address your case!