Hurricane Evacuation: Protecting Essential Medications and Health

Preparing Specialty Medications for Evacuation

• 💡 Patients with chronic conditions like cancer, inflammatory diseases, or cystic fibrosis rely on essential medications that cannot be missed.
• ⚠️ A hurricane evacuation plan must account for medications with specific storage needs, such as refrigeration or strict dosing schedules.

Safe Storage and Packing Essentials

• 🧊 For refrigerated medications like insulin or injections, use an insulated cooler, ideally battery-operated, with unfrozen ice packs.
• 🎒 Pack a go-bag with at least 7 days of medication, alcohol swabs, a sharps container, and a thermometer.

Refills and Pharmacy Coordination

• 📞 Before evacuating, contact your specialty pharmacy to inform them of an alternate address for medication shipments.
• 🏥 Pharmacy teams work diligently during hurricanes to contact patients and fill prescriptions, ensuring access to life-saving medications.

Health Impacts During Emergencies

• ⚠️ High stress levels during emergencies can lead to increased cardiac events, making it crucial to avoid additional health crises like hospitalizations.
• 💬 Ensuring access to essential medications helps prevent further health complications for the community during times of crisis.