Are you Prepared?
In recent days, states across the nation have declared multiple States of Emergencies. With Hurricanes, Flooding, and even Wildfires in California, it is best to always be prepared. Sometimes events cannot be helped so being prepared can be the difference from safety or a life-threatening situation. Aside from the necessary shelter, food, water, important documents needed in your possession, what about your medication, both prescription and over-the-counter.
When disaster strikes, there is a likely chance that a patient's personal medications become destroyed or lost because it is not considered a top priority when the thought of preparing for an emergency comes to mind. But that can be detrimental considering many of the medications are the difference between life and death.
Understand the Difference between Necessity and Absolute Need.
If you are diagnosed with a chronic condition that requires specific daily medications, that is considered an absolute. Making sure you have these prescriptions filled is important. Necessity may be medications that treat more acute situations such as a headache or a common cold. You do not need those medications when preparing for an emergency but it would be beneficial if you do have it in your possession.
How to get prepared
- Make a list of all your necessary medications you need or use.
- Keep medications together and stored in a ziplock or air-tight seal to avoid any water damage.
- Always keep your medications in your prescribed bottles and packaging!
- Keep your prescription card on your in case you do lose your medication or it gets ruined.
- Always inspect your medication to ensure it is not ruined in any way. If there are discolorations or strange odors, this may mean the medication is not good.
- If you notice you may not have enough medication for how many days you are preparing for, you will need to contact your provider or pharmacist to see about getting an emergency supply.
- If you have children, make sure they are fully stocked on their necessary medications as well. Keep it separate from adult doses and prescriptions but still stored accordingly.
Over-the-Counter Medicines that may be Necessary
- Pain-relievers (Aleeve, Tylenol, Advil)
- Cold-Medicines
- Antacids
- Allergy (Benadryl, Claritin, Zyrtec)
- Nausea (Dramamine)
- Anti-diarrheals (Imodium)
- Hydrocortisone Cream (for inflammation or rash)
How can we help
If you do not know where to start, your pharmacist can easily aid. Most pharmacies will supply many if not all the over-the-counter medications needed to stockpile in an emergency kit along with first-aid kits. And with prescription medications, your local pharmacists can ease your worries by handling the logistics behind making sure you get what you need.
