Voice of the Diabetic

Voice of the Diabetic

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FLYING WITH DIABETES SUPPLIES?

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has implemented stepped-up

security measures at the nation's airports in response to the September 11 attacks.

Some measures may affect airline passengers with diabetes. Here is an update:

1. Passengers may board with syringes or insulin delivery systems

once it is determined that the he or she has a documented medical need. Your

insulin must have a professional, pharmaceutical preprinted label that clearly

identifies the medication. No exceptions will be made. Since the prescription

label is on the outside of the box containing the vial of insulin, the FAA recommends

that passengers refrain from discarding their insulin box and come prepared

with their insulin in its original pharmaceutically labeled box.

2. For passengers who have diabetes and must test their blood

glucose levels but who do not require insulin, boarding with their lancets is

acceptable as long as the lancets are capped, and as long as the lancets are

brought on with the glucose meter that has the manufacturer's name embossed

on the meter (i.e., One Touch meters say "One Touch," Accu-Chek meters

say "Accu-Chek").

3. Glucagon is dispensed and normally kept in a preprinted labeled

plastic container or box. We advise those people with diabetes who are traveling

to keep their glucagon kit intact in its original preprinted pharmaceutically

labeled container.

4. Contrary to previous Official Information, because of forgery

concerns, prescriptions and letters of medical necessity will not be accepted.

5. FAA security measures apply to travel within the 50 United

States only. Passengers should consult their individual air carrier for both

domestic (U.S.) and international travel regulations. Be advised that the FAA's

policy and the policy of each airline is subject to change.

The above list of measures is a minimum requirement only and

air carriers may have other requirements that may impact a passenger's ability

to board with diabetes equipment and supplies. Accordingly, each passenger should

call the airline carrier at least one day in advance of his or her scheduled

flight to confirm what that airline's policy is with regard to diabetes medication

and supplies. Be advised that each airline's policy is subject to change.

Should a passenger be denied boarding a flight or be faced with

any other unforeseen diabetes related difficulty because of security measures,

he or she should ask to speak with a Complaints Resolution Official (CRO) for

the airline. If a passenger feels he or she has been discriminated against or

treated unfairly by air carriers, a complaint may be filed with the airline

carrier, by contacting the Aviation Consumer Protection Bureau (ACPD) at [email protected]

or by mailing to ACPD, U.S. Department of Transportation, Room 4107, C-75, Washington,

DC 20590.

Adapted from information provided by Joslin Diabetes Center.

For more diabetes information, see Joslin's excellent diabetes information website:

www.joslin.org

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