Medicines not included in restrictions

THERE is still some confusion over what medicines can be carried on board planes, as hand luggage, since the European Union's stricter security rules came into force on November 6, affecting passengers on national and international flights within the European Union, and to Switzerland, Iceland and Norway. Among the medication which passengers can take with them on the flight are, in addition to liquid medication (such as insulin, cough mixture and eyedrops), are any type of ointment, cream, gel, oils and aerosols, or special food required because of an illness. There are no restrictions on taking these medicines through security control and onto the aircraft. However, it is recommended that passengers take the appropriate prescriptions with them as the airline staff may ask to see them, even though the medicine has been passed through the security control area and is not restricted. The new security measures introduced on November 6 restrict the amount of liquid or substances of a similar consistency which passengers can take through the security controls into the departure lounge. Sources from AENA (the Spanish Airports Authority) explained that passengers are only allowed small quantities of liquids in their hand luggage. All these liquids have to be carried in small containers with an individual capacity of not more than 100ml. Each passenger has to pack all these containers into a larger transparent plastic bag (which has an automatic seal) with a maximum capacity of one litre. What has not changed with the application of these latest security measures, but which has created a lot of confusion among passengers, is the security controls for medicines.