Traveling with Growth Hormone Medication

Six Steps to Safety:  Traveling with your Growth Hormone Medication

1. Always carry the GH in your carry on bags– Keep the drugs in their original packaging (pens not containing drugs may be carried separately).
   
2. Keep the drugs in a cooler, but do not allow to freeze. Check the prescribing information supplied with the drug for storage conditions – some drugs may not require refrigeration. Most GH companies will provide a cooler for you via your pharmacy or Dr’s office.
   
3. Carry a copy of your prescription – some companies (usually through their international organizations) provide small ID card/passport where you can keep a copy of the prescription, your dose and MD information.
   
4. GH is not known to effected by x ray screening. GH manufacturers routinely x-ray all drug packaging before it leaves the manufacturing plant. ‘Travel/Transit’ studies are part of the FDA approval process for all biologic drugs. *
   
5. Take enough supplies to last for your trip.
   
6. Dispose of needles and syringes safely, according to the instructions of your Dr. If in doubt take them home with you for disposal.

* International Conference on Harmonization(ICH). Guidance for industry,Q1A(R2):" Stability testing of new drug substances and products," November 2003, http://.fda.gov/cber/gdlns/ichstab.pdf