Medication and Medical Items

General Guidelines for Passengers with Medical Needs

If you have medical needs, you are allowed to bring prescription and essential non-prescription medications through the security checkpoint, as well as any medically required items and mobility aids.

For specific questions or concerns, contact CATSA’s customer service team in advance of your travel date. You can also check our website for more information or contact the airline.

Prescription and Essential Non-Prescription Medications

You may bring prescription and essential non-prescription liquid, gel and aerosol (LAG) medications in your carry-on in quantities larger than 100 ml. These medications do not have to be placed in your 1 L plastic bag. Solid tablet non-prescription medications (i.e. acetaminophen, ibuprofen, vitamins) are not subject to volume restrictions. Certain powders and granular materials mineral-based supplements that are primarily calcium, magnesium or iron) in your carry-on are limited to a total quantity of 350 ml/g or less.

Examples of essential non-prescription liquid, aerosol or gel medications:

• Contact lens solution
• Cough syrup
• Eye drops
• Decongestant spray
• Puffers

Bringing a day-by-day pill separator is not an issue for security. However, when travelling outside of Canada, there may be additional considerations , so we recommend you visit travel.gc.ca for more information.

How to Pack Your Medication

• We recommend that you carry liquid, gel or aerosol prescription medication in their original containers with a pharmacy label identifying the medication.
• We recommend that you pack all medication in your carry-on baggage and place it in an easy-to-access area.
• You will be asked to present all prescription and essential non-prescription medications to the screening officer for inspection.

Travelling with temperature-sensitive medications

For medications that need strict temperature control, use cooling gel packs or non-electric insulated containers. Declare these to the screening officer if packed in carry-on. Place battery-operated or electric coolers in checked luggage, as they may undergo additional screening and could be intercepted.

Ice or gel packs are exempt when required for:

• Treating an injury
• Refrigerating medicine
• Other medically necessary items
• Liquids, aerosols and gels for a child under 2 years of age (when the child is present), and
• Breast milk (regardless if the child is present)

Handling sterile-packaged medications

Sterile-packaged medications require careful handling to prevent contamination. Inform the screening officer of the sterile nature of the packaging and use clear, resealable plastic bags to keep the packaging visible.

Advance notification procedures

If you have specialized medical needs, you can contact CATSA at least 48 hours in advance of your flight to discuss any specific requirements you may have at the pre-board security checkpoint.

Coordination with airlines

We recommend that you inform your airline about any medications that require special handling or storage, including in-flight refrigeration needs, when booking or at check-in.

Recreational Cannabis 

• You are responsible for knowing the laws and regulations when travelling within Canada. For more information, visit the canada.ca website.

Liquid and topical forms of cannabis are subject to liquids, aerosols and gels (LAGs) restrictions in carry-on baggage and must be placed with other LAGs in a 1-litre clear closed and re-sealable plastic bag.

Cannabis for Medical Purposes

• The amount of cannabis you carry must be in accordance with the Access to Cannabis for Medical Purposes Regulations. For more information, see Health Canada’s Guide to Understanding the Regulations.
• Cannabis oil used for medical purposes in amounts over 100 ml is permitted in your carry-on, however, you will need to present it to the screening officer at the pre-board security checkpoint.

Cannabis oil for medical purposes in amounts of 100 ml or less should be placed in a 1-litre clear bag with other liquids, aerosols and gels.

Please Note: Flying outside of Canada with cannabis is illegal. For more information, visit travel.gc.ca.

Medical Implants, Mobility Aids and Assistive Devices

Some medical devices and passengers with implants may require additional screening, including swabbing for explosive trace detection (ETD). For more information, please review the Special Assistance page.

Examples of medical devices and other related medical items:

• Computer or electrical assistive devices
• Apnea monitors
• Orthopedic shoes
• External medical devices
• Assistive/adaptive equipment
• Augmentation devices
• Ostomy supplies
• Enteral-feeding pumps
• Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) machines and respirators (the distilled water used by this device is exempted from the liquid restrictions)
• Bi-level positive airway pressure (BPAP) devices
• Personal oxygen concentrators (POCs) 
• Hearing aids
• Cochlear implants
• Visual aids
• Personal supplemental oxygen*
• CO2 personal oxygen concentrators*
• Teething rings
• Medications
• All diabetes related medication, equipment & supplies
• Braille note takers
• Communications and cognitive aids/devices (e.g. slate and stylus, automatic page turners, book holders, and adapted pencil grips)
• Any other disability related equipment and associated supplies 
• Syringes, hypodermic needles and biojectors (needle guard must be in place and you must have the medication with you)
• Medical defibrillators*
• One small mercury thermometer (must be in protective case)

* with airline’s approval

Documentation to support your medical needs or condition is not required; however, if you feel that it would help ease your screening, it should be presented to the screening officer along with your medically necessary items.

Mobility aids

• Wheelchairs (and tools for wheelchair disassembly/reassembly)
• Scooters
• Crutches
• Canes or walking sticks
• Orthotic devices
• Walkers
• Prosthetic devices (and tools for prosthetic devices)
• Artificial limbs and prostheses 
• Sports devices (that enable persons with disabilities to play sports and be physically active)
• Gas cylinders for operating mechanical limbs
• Casts
• Support braces
• Support appliances
• Service animals

Insulin Pumps and Continuous Glucose Monitors (CGM)

If you rely on insulin pumps or CGM, follow these steps at the security checkpoint.

1. Notify the screening officer
   • Inform the screening officer that you are wearing an insulin pump or CGM.
   • Clearly explain that the device is medically necessary and cannot be removed.
   • Do not remove your pump or CGM.
2. Request alternate screening
   • Medical devices such as insulin pumps and CGMs that may be sensitive to X-ray machines or full-body scanners. Request alternative screening methods. The screening officer will provide you with options based on the nature of the item and your preference.
3. Carry documentation
   • While not mandatory, a doctor’s note or a medical device ID card can help provide additional information to screening officers and explain the medical necessity of the device.
4. Prepare supporting supplies
   • Place spare batteries, sensors and other accessories for your pump or CGM in your carry-on baggage. Batteries in mobility and medical devices are allowed without any watt-hour (Wh) limit. You may also bring one spare battery, up to 300 Wh, through the pre-board security checkpoint. Please inform your airline in advance and notify the screening officer when you arrive at the checkpoint. Ensure these items are easily accessible if further inspection is required.
   • When using a rechargeable or battery-operated temperature-controlled thermos, ensure that the batteries comply with airline regulations (100Wh / 12V or less) and that there are no signs of tampering or alteration.
   • If liquid medications or supplies exceed 100 ml, let the screening officer know.
   • Certain powders and granular materials in your carry-on are limited to a total quantity of 350 ml or less (roughly the size of a soda can). Certain powders and granular materials may require additional screening, and in some cases, the items may not be permitted. We recommend that permitted powders and granular materials that are not required during your flight be placed in checked baggage. Exemptions on baby food or formula, life-sustaining medication, and sacred or spiritual items may apply.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Medication

Q: Can I bring medications through the security checkpoint?

A: You can bring prescription and essential non-prescription medications through the checkpoint. Medications are exempt from liquid restrictions, but they must be declared to the screening officer for inspection.

Q: Do I need to pack my medications in a specific way?

A: Medications should be packed in your carry-on baggage to ensure accessibility. Place them in a clear, resealable plastic bag if they are liquids or gels and ensure they are easily accessible for inspection.

Q: Do I need to declare my medications at the security checkpoint?

A: You should declare all prescription and essential non-prescription medications to the screening officer. Inform them of any special handling needs, such as temperature control or sterile packaging.

Q: Are liquid medications subject to the 100ml (3.4 oz) limit?

A: Prescription and essential non-prescription medications are exempt from liquid restrictions. However, you must present them separately to the screening officer.

Q: Will my medication be opened or exposed during screening?

A: Sterile medication may undergo additional screening, which includes visual and physical inspection, as well as a trace of the outermost packaging. Be sure to inform the screening officer about the sterile nature of the packaging.

Q: Are there any restrictions on bringing medical syringes or needles?

A: Syringes and needles are permitted when accompanied by medication that requires their use. Ensure that needle guards are in place. Inform the screening officer and ensure the medication is properly labelled.

Q: How do I transport medications that require refrigeration?

A: Medications requiring refrigeration should be packed securely to prevent spills or contamination and stored in an insulated container with gel or ice packs. Ensure these items are declared to the screening officer.

Q: Can I bring over-the-counter medication without a prescription?

A: Essential non-prescription medications are allowed.

Medical devices

Q: Will my mobility aids (e.g.cane, wheelchair, crutches) go through screening?

A: All mobility aids must undergo screening. Screening officers will make every reasonable effort to screen you and your assistive device(s) at the same time, however, should that not be possible, your device may need to be screened separately. Alternative screening options will be provided to you should the full body scanner or walk through metal detector not be a screening solution possible for you. A private screening area is available should an alternative screening process be required.

Q: Can I carry spare batteries for my medical device?

A: Spare batteries for medical devices are allowed and should be packed in your carry-on baggage. Ensure they are properly stored to prevent short circuits or damage during transit. For further guidelines on flying with batteries, please visit Guidelines for Batteries page on our website.

Q: Do I need to remove my pump or CGM?

A: These devices do NOT need to be removed when worn. Inform the screening officer that the device is an important part of your medical treatment.

Q: Will my medical device alarm during the screening process?

A: Some devices may trigger an alarm, depending on the type of device and screening equipment. Inform the screening officer at the beginning of the screening process about any medical devices you have with you . All alarms must be resolved to be before you can proceed through security. If your medical device alarms, inform the screening officer that it is a medical necessity. Screening officers are trained to handle such situations with care and may conduct additional screening to resolve the alarm.

Travelling with recreational cannabis

Q: Can I bring recreational cannabis for medical purposes?

A: Recreational cannabis is allowed in Canada, but is prohibited when flying internationally or to the US.

Q: How much recreational cannabis can I carry when travelling within Canada?

A: We recommend consulting the Cannabis in Canada webpage on the Canada.ca website for more information.