I understand the need for tighter security, but Changi Airport should make the guidelines clearer, especially with regard to medication and exemptions.

I had just recovered from flu but still had bouts of hacking cough which required me to be on cough syrup. I understood from the guidelines on the airport website that exemptions would be made for medication, hence I decided not to check in my 125ml bottle of cough syrup. However, the airport security staff informed me that my cough syrup was more than the maximum capacity allowed of 100ml, and had to be thrown away.

I pointed out that cough syrup (I even had the box) was exempted, according to the website. However, they replied that I needed to produce a doctor's letter, which I did not have as I had bought the syrup from a pharmacist. The staff refused to entertain further explanations and threw my cough syrup into a bin.

I would like Changi Airport to clarify the restriction as there are some medications, e.g., cough syrup, that do not come in bottles less than 100ml, and the need to produce a doctor's letter for all liquid medications of more than 100ml.

Would security staff accept a pharmacist's letter as some medications can be bought without a doctor's prescription?

Had Changi Airport been clearer in its guidelines on medications on its website, it would have spared me an uncomfortable journey filled with coughing fits.

Ong Seok Hwee (Miss)