BootsnAll Travel Community

Insulin, syringes and insulin pumps in SEA

My travel buddy is a diabetic and has some concerns about his situation during our trip (Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand, Malaysia, Brunei, Nusa Tengarra Indonesia, and East Timor).
He is wondering if he loses his insulin/syringes or pump, how easy would it be to get them replaced and how expensive?
Also, is this something he would have to worry about getting stolen (any blackmarket value)?
Anyone go through customs with needles - what was the reaction? Seen too many movies about what happens to westerners with drugs and doesn't want to be clumped in with those who are involved with the illegal ones.

He's never traveled in developing countries and I've never had to deal with such issues.

Thanks.

I met and traveled for a month with a type-1 diabetic in SEA last year. She kept her insulin (enough for a 4 month trip to Vietnam, Cambodia & Laos), needles and testing gear in a small backpack that she guarded with her life. It would not have been feasible to replace it in any of the countries she was in. I don't know about the other places you're going although I suspect that it's possible in the larger cities of Thailand and parts of Malaysia but I wouldn't count on Indonesia.

The biggest problem for my friend was keeping the insulin at the proper temperature because it's darned hot in SEA. She had a note translated into each of the relevant languages that said something to the effect of "I need this medicine to stay cool or else I will die." Even in places that didn't have electricity (and we stayed in quite a few), she was able to find someone who had a cooler and who would store her insulin, although sometimes she had to pay to use it. A couple of times guesthouse owners got overzealous and put the insulin in the freezer, which was also a problem.

I would think that the customs problem (to the extent there is a problem) would be fixed by your friend's doctor writing a note that the medicine is lifesaving and necessary. I believe you need a note like that nowadays to get the needles on the plane anyway.

good info,
thanks

Hi,
I am a type 1 Diabetic travelling for 9 months through Sth America, India, & SE Asia. My best advice with insulin storage is to buy cooler bags. Try www.frio.co.uk which have easy to use travel cooler bags especially designed for insulin. You simply soak them in cold water for a few mins and they stay cool for about 1 week or more. They have been my saviour! Importantly, make sure you do not have insulin in a bag that is going to be checked in for a flight. The aircraft hold is too cold!

Also, carry a Dr´s letter stating that you are carrying insulin and needles for Diabetes. I have never been asked about my insulin, but be prepared just in case.

If you need any more advice, just ask!