When disaster strikes, the last thing on your mind may be ensuring you have enough medication. But for many, especially in areas prone to wildfires like Los Angeles, planning ahead can be the difference between managing a health crisis or worsening an already chaotic situation. Whether you’re forced to evacuate in a hurry or your medications are damaged by extreme heat or flooding, understanding your options and being prepared can help ensure you get the prescriptions you need to maintain your health during emergencies.
Have a medication plan in place
As wildfires, floods, and other emergencies become more frequent, it’s crucial to prepare in advance. The first step: if time allows, refill your medications before evacuation. According to Dr. Vipul Patel, PharmD, Executive Director of Pharmacy and Oncology Services at Cedars-Sinai in Los Angeles, “If you have enough lead time, take all your medications and supplies, including blood glucose monitors, with you.” Having a list of all your medications, known drug allergies, and contact information for your doctors and pharmacies is vital. This can be an invaluable resource if you need to manage a medication emergency when you’re far from home.
Contact your pharmacy first to discuss options
The moment you know you will need to evacuate, your first point of contact should be your regular pharmacy—if it remains operational during the crisis. Dr. Patel advises patients to “contact their pharmacies and discuss earlier refills. There are many situations where insurance will allow earlier refills or additional quantities.” In some cases, pharmacists can even send you your medication list, allowing you to quickly access important details while you are on the move. This preparation helps reduce stress and ensures you’re not scrambling to find prescriptions during an already overwhelming situation.
Accessing medications at a different location
If your regular pharmacy is closed due to the emergency, consider whether it is part of a larger chain. Dr. Ryan Nix, PharmD, Senior Director of Operations at Vanderbilt Specialty Pharmacy, explains that many pharmacy chains share patient information across locations. “If your pharmacy is closed, many pharmacy chains share information across their different locations, so at any of the locations, they would be able to pull in your information and electronically transfer the prescription to their location.” This means that even if your usual pharmacy is unreachable, you can still obtain your medications at another nearby branch of the same chain.
Transferring prescriptions to a new pharmacy
If you’re forced to evacuate to an area that isn’t served by the same pharmacy chain, you still have options. Dr. Nix suggests asking the new pharmacy to transfer your records from your home pharmacy. “Provide the new pharmacy with the contact information to your normal pharmacy location, and the pharmacist should be able to take care of the rest.” This simple step can help ensure continuity of care, even if you find yourself far from home during an emergency.
Ask your insurance or doctor for emergency refills
What if you don’t have time to transfer prescriptions or you’ve lost your medication information? You’re not out of options. In such cases, contacting your insurance company or doctor directly can help. “Many insurance plans will allow exceptions during a state of emergency that may provide a way to fill your medication early if you had to leave in a hurry or allow you to fill outside your normal pharmacy network,” says Dr. Nix. Furthermore, insurance companies may agree to waive or reduce out-of-pocket costs when filling prescriptions at out-of-network pharmacies, making emergency refills more accessible.
What if I have no refills left?
A common concern in emergencies is running out of refills on prescriptions. However, during a declared emergency, pharmacies have the authority to provide medications even if no refills remain. “Under their professional judgment, pharmacists can refill prescriptions if failing to refill the prescription might interrupt ongoing care or have a significant adverse impact on the patient’s well-being,” says Dr. Patel. This ensures that essential medications are available to those in critical need, even when regular refill limits have been exhausted.
Dealing with damaged medications
While preparing for evacuation, it’s important to consider whether your medications may be compromised by the elements. Exposure to extreme temperatures, such as those found in wildfire-prone areas, or water damage from flooding, can render medications ineffective or unsafe. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) advises that any medications exposed to high temperatures should be replaced. Similarly, if your medications have been exposed to floodwaters, they should not be used, even if they remain sealed in their containers. These measures are crucial to ensuring that your health isn’t further jeopardized by unsafe or ineffective medications.
Proper medication storage in emergencies
In the chaos of an evacuation, keeping your medications properly stored can be challenging. Certain drugs, like insulin or liquid antibiotics, require refrigeration. When access to a fridge is unavailable, such as during power outages or while on the move, it’s essential to find alternatives. “Use a cooler or medication travel case with ice packs to make sure your medication is safely stored,” the FDA advises. By planning for these contingencies, you can ensure that your essential medications remain effective even in challenging circumstances.
Proactive steps can make a difference
When disaster strikes, preparation and knowledge are crucial to ensuring that you can access the medications you need. By refilling prescriptions early, contacting your pharmacy, and understanding your insurance options, you can avoid lapsing in essential treatments. And, with the help of your pharmacy and healthcare providers, you can work to address medication damage and ensure proper storage even under difficult conditions. As Dr. Patel notes, “If you have enough lead time, take all your medications and supplies, including blood glucose monitors, with you.” By planning ahead and staying informed, you can safeguard your health during any emergency.