Making decisions about your medication needs in an emergency could make the difference between life and death. The different types of emergencies that individuals will most likely encounter should be considered when contemplating one’s strategy for emergency medication supplies.
It is crucial to think about the preparedness phase when ensuring access to medication. If you were faced with an unexpected disaster you couldn’t prevent, such as a hurricane or earthquake, what would you do? Here are some things to consider:
Make sure you keep an updated medication list, including the dose and intended use
A person in an emergency should not rely on memory to replace the medication for themselves or for the people who need it. What if you were incapacitated and you needed a medication you’d taken for years? What if the search and rescue team didn’t know the medication you needed?
Maintain an accurate inventory of medication
Ensure that you keep an eye on your medication calendar or app so you know when the medicine is about to run out. Refills will be easier to remember and you can reference them quickly in case of an emergency. You will be able to see your supply count and know if there is an impending emergency that might disrupt pharmacy access, so you can purchase early refills before the problem occurs.
Water-tight containers are recommended for medication bottles or packages
The container used for storing medicine can vary greatly from a large cabinet in the operating room to a simple plastic pillbox. Consider storing your medications in a waterproof container, such as a plastic food storage container, if heavy rain or flooding is a problem in your area.
You should not use your medications unless absolutely necessary if flood water comes into contact with them.
For medications that require refrigeration, have a cooler on hand
A naturally occurring disaster such as a forest fire, an earthquake, or a hurricane can cause the power grid to go down. In the case of a power outage, how would you keep your medications cool? If you take medication that needs to be refrigerated, you should have a portable cooler handy. It’s less messy to use travel coolers made of gel (but ice will also work.)
Diabetes medication containing insulin that treats high blood glucose is not required to be refrigerated, but is recommended. The temperature must remain between 59 and 86 degrees Fahrenheit for insulin to be unrefrigerated for up to 28 days. During an evacuation, you should think about how to store your insulin within a temperature range that is suitable for your zone. Keeping insulin cool is one way to ensure its safety during an evacuation. Exposure to extreme temperatures is not dangerous to take insulin, but it does lose its efficacy in the process. Keeping insulin supplies at an optimum temperature is crucial as insulin is life-sustaining for patients with diabetes type 1. If any of your medications need to be refrigerated, ask your doctor or pharmacist as part of your emergency preparedness plan.
It is easier to deal with a crisis later when you plan now
When faced in the midst of a crisis situation, having acceptable emergency preparedness can provide a sense of certainty. Companies like https://jasemedical.com/ make it easy and affordable for you to get access to the medicines you’ll need for the most common emergencies and disasters. Jase Medical links you with certified doctors and pharmacies to empower you to assemble lifesaving antibiotics and other important medicines prior to the emergency. Avoid future health risks by preparing for potential emergencies now.