Prescription Drugs Not in Original Bottle – Legal in Louisiana?

Many Louisiana residents take more than one prescription medication every day. For some of us, those medicines have been prescribed by our doctors to help us control our blood pressure, our weight, and deal with allergies, or in some cases prevent diseases such as cancer.

For those who do take multiple medications often at multiple times of the day a daily pill reminder is used. These plastic containers allow us to organize our medicines into daily doses. It also helps us keep track of whether or not we have taken our medication at the prescribed time.

And while these wonderful pill organizers are wonderful by putting your prescription medication into them, you could be breaking the law. No, it's not that you could, in most states, you are breaking the law.

This not only applies to medication put into a daily pill reminder but any prescription medication that is transferred from its original container to another container is technically in violation of the current statutes on the books in Louisiana.

How Can I Carry Prescription Medication Legally in Louisiana

The obvious and simplest answer to that question is to carry the medication in the container you received from your licensed pharmacist. That container should have the medication's name, your name, your doctor's name, and the details of the prescription.

Now, just because you have a prescription doesn't make the medication legal in all jurisdictions. The one obvious example would be medical marijuana. You can have it in Louisiana with a prescription but there are many states where marijuana is still very much against the law. The same kind of scrutiny applies to narcotics as well.

Now, if you do want to carry your meds in a daily pill reminder you can remain in compliance with the law if you simply carry a copy of your prescription with you. It can be something as simple as a photocopy of the original label of the container the prescription came in. It's all about providing proof and references when it comes to medication and travel.

What If My Friend Has a Prescription and They Gave the Meds to Me?

In this case, two crimes have been committed. Your friend has illegally distributed controlled substances and you are illegally in possession of a controlled substance. It's not a good practice to get into. However, most people are quick to share prescription meds when friends or family are complaining of similar symptoms. I know you're just being nice and wanting to avoid another copay but technically you're breaking the rules in a big way.

Can I Carry My Prescription Medication When I Travel Internationally?

Ignorance of the law will only get you in trouble with the law in foreign jurisdictions. The best bet for carrying prescription meds into a country other than the United States is to get familiar with their drug laws. Something that might be perfectly legal in the U.S. might be against the law and carry major fines and penalties in other lands. Your best bet is to know before you go.

You'd be surprised at what some other governments don't want brought into their country. For example, these amazing foods that we love? All are banned in many other lands.