FDA Video Raises Concerns That TSA Is Over-Stepping on Prescription Drugs

An FDA video posted online has some passengers concerned that TSA practices may be over-stepping when it comes to traveling with prescription medications.

A new video posted on the media website Grambien has some members of the flying public concerned that the advice being given may violate privacy rules under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).

The post, headlined FDA Warns Travelers to Tell TSA About Any Prescription Drugs They Have states the FDA has posted the video as an alert to the public.

Sandy Walsh, a spokesperson for the FDA, said in an interview with FlyerTalk that “there is no new warning for traveling with prescription medications from FDA.” She said the video is part of a training program known as Drug Info Rounds, targeting clinical and community pharmacists. The video, released this month, is posted in a section on the agency’s website targeting healthcare professionals.

“Our video addresses a common question patients have for their pharmacists about how to travel with prescription medications,” Walsh explained. “The Drug Info Rounds video includes information directly from the TSA website regarding medication and screening.”

In the video, Lindsay Davison, a health promotion officer for the FDA, reviews tips to help travelers prepare for travel with medications. She highlights other resources for information, including the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) and the Customs and Border Patrol, as well as the Transportation Safety Administration (TSA).

The video’s recommendation for passengers to separate medications from other items being screened and to tell TSA agents if they have prescription medication has sparked concern for some travelers, who are interpreting these recommendations as new policy.  TSA’s policies clearly state that medications do not have to be presented in a zip-top bag, and are only subject to agent inspection if liquids exceed 3.4 ounces, or if the passenger does not wish to have the medication go through x-ray screening.

Ross Feinstein, spokesperson for TSA, said in an email interview that TSA’s policies with respect to prescription medications, “have not changed.” He later reiterated that point in a tweet to the public and directed passengers to their blog, which details the agency’s policy. The TSA has published information on its blog that answers key questions about traveling with medications. Feinstein also told FlyerTalk that the agency has “made tweaks” in the language on the website to make the policy “extra clear” for passengers.

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