Make a medicine-storage plan before an outage
Start with the medicines you actually take and their storage instructions. Ask your pharmacist how to handle a power cut before you need to make a hurried decision.
Keep the important information together
Make an up-to-date list of medicine names, strengths, uses, doses, and times, along with allergies and relevant medical needs. Keep prescription copies with it. Store this information securely where the people who help you can find it. Ask your pharmacist or clinician about arranging an emergency supply.
Protect medicine from water
Keep original labeled packages inside watertight containers, above places likely to flood. Check the container’s closure. If contaminated water reaches a medicine or its packaging, ask a pharmacist what to do before using it.
Plan cold storage for each medicine
Have a cooler and ice or frozen gel packs available if your medicines need refrigeration. Follow each medicine’s labeled storage range. Food-storage temperatures do not apply to every medicine, and direct contact with ice may freeze a medicine that must not be frozen. Ask your pharmacist how to pack it.
Get advice if storage is interrupted
If a medicine gets warmer or colder than its recommended range, check its label and contact a pharmacist, clinician, or the medicine’s manufacturer. Explain the temperature and how long it was affected, if known. Get urgent advice for medicines you cannot safely miss; do not change a dose or stop treatment based on a general shopping guide.
Choose supplies for this task.
Compare the format, specifications, and limitations before you buy.
Browse related supplies
