Medicines in a disaster: backup supply, emergency refills and storage
The CDC says to talk to your doctor or pharmacist about building an emergency supply of your medicines, keep a written list of them, and learn your state's emergency refill law, because some states let pharmacists give early refills during a declared emergency. The FDA says medicine that has touched floodwater or unsafe water should be thrown out, even in its original container, and replaced as soon as possible.
The FDA says any medicine exposed to floodwater or unsafe water should be thrown out, even if it is still in its original container, so one flooded bathroom cabinet can leave you with nothing.
- Build a backup supply
- Emergency refills
- Insulin when the power goes out
- After a flood or fire
- Fish and pet antibiotics
- Gear
Build a backup supply
- Ask your doctor or pharmacist how. The CDC says to talk to them about creating an emergency supply of your medicines. Your insurer may have rules on early refills, so ask your pharmacist what is possible.
- Keep a written list of every prescription with your diagnosis, dose, how often you take it, medical supplies you need and your allergies (CDC).
- Add the basics. The CDC suggests pain and fever relievers, antihistamines and antidiarrheal medicine.
- Copy your insurance cards. Ready.gov says to make copies of Medicare, Medicaid and other insurance cards.
- Medicine that needs a fridge: the CDC says to pack a cooler and chemical ice packs.
- Rotate it. Use the oldest first and replace it, so your backup does not expire in a drawer.
Emergency refills
The CDC says to learn your state's emergency prescription refill law. Rules differ by state. Texas is one example:
- The Texas State Board of Pharmacy says pharmacists usually may not give more than a 72-hour emergency supply.
- When the governor declares a disaster and the board notifies pharmacies, a pharmacist may give up to a 30-day supply if they cannot reach your prescriber and going without would interrupt your treatment.
- That disaster rule does not cover Schedule II controlled substances.
Search for your own state's board of pharmacy for the rule where you live.
If you have no insurance
The federal Emergency Prescription Assistance Program (EPAP) can help uninsured people in a federally declared disaster area when HHS activates it. In a recent activation, HHS said eligible people could get up to a 30-day supply of prescriptions and some medical equipment, such as glucose meters and test strips, at no cost from participating pharmacies. The EPAP hotline is 855-793-7470.
Insulin when the power goes out
- The FDA says insulin may be left out of the fridge at 59°F to 86°F for up to 28 days.
- Keep it away from direct heat and out of direct sunlight.
- If you use ice, do not let the insulin freeze. Throw out insulin that has frozen.
- Once you can get properly stored insulin again, the FDA says to throw away vials that were exposed to extreme temperatures and replace them as soon as possible.
- If you have to switch to a different insulin, the FDA says do it under a doctor's care with close blood sugar checks. If you cannot reach a doctor, check your blood sugar closely and see one as soon as you can.
After a flood or fire
- The FDA says medicine exposed to floodwater or unsafe water should be thrown out, even in its original container.
- Wet or changed medicine should not be used.
- The one exception: if a medicine is needed for a life-threatening condition and you cannot get a new supply, the FDA says it may be used if it looks unchanged, until you can replace it.
- For medicine that needs a fridge and lost power, the FDA says check its storage guidance. If it is needed to sustain life and no replacement is available, it may be used until you get a new supply.
- Questions about a specific medicine: the FDA says ask a pharmacist, your health care provider or the manufacturer.
Keep your backup supply in a sealed waterproof bag or box, up high, so floodwater cannot reach it.
Fish and pet antibiotics
Some prepper sites suggest stockpiling fish antibiotics. Here is what the FDA says:
- Fish antibiotics such as ciprofloxacin and amoxicillin contain drugs that are also commonly prescribed for people.
- They have not been approved by the FDA, and have not been evaluated for safety or effectiveness.
- They may not be properly made, may not meet the FDA's standards for purity and strength, and may not be properly labeled. The FDA says it does not know how they have been handled and stored.
- The FDA says some animal drugs can cause serious harm in people, and animal drugs should not be used to treat people.
The safe route is a backup supply of your own prescribed medicine, from a legitimate pharmacy. Talk to your doctor about what is safe for you.
Common mistakes
- Keeping only a few days of medicine at home. Ask your doctor or pharmacist about an emergency supply, as the CDC advises.
- Having no written list of your medicines and doses.
- Taking pills that got wet in a flood. The FDA says throw them out.
- Freezing insulin on ice. The FDA says throw out insulin that has frozen.
- Leaving insulin in a hot car or in the sun.
- Storing your backup supply on a low shelf or in the basement where floodwater can reach it.
- Relying on fish or pet antibiotics. The FDA says they have not been checked for safety, quality or what is actually in them.
Gear for this
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Insulin cooling case
Helps keep insulin within the FDA range of 59°F to 86°F without ice that could freeze it. Check the maker's temperature claims.
Waterproof medicine bag or dry box
The FDA says medicine touched by floodwater should be thrown out, so keep the backup sealed.
Small cooler and instant ice packs
The CDC lists a cooler and chemical ice packs for medicines that need a fridge.
Weekly pill organizer
Makes it easy to grab a week of medicine if you have to leave fast.
Questions people ask
Can I get an emergency refill of my prescription during a disaster?
Often, yes. The CDC says some states let pharmacists give early refills during a declared emergency. In Texas, for example, the pharmacy board says pharmacists may give up to a 30-day supply after a governor's disaster declaration, except Schedule II drugs.
How long can insulin go without refrigeration?
The FDA says insulin may be kept unrefrigerated at 59°F to 86°F for up to 28 days. Keep it out of direct heat and sunlight, and never let it freeze.
Are fish antibiotics the same as human antibiotics?
Some contain the same drugs, but the FDA says they are not approved, have not been evaluated for safety or effectiveness, and may not meet standards for purity and strength. The FDA says animal drugs should not be used to treat people.
Sources
- CDC: Prescriptions, Prepare Your Health
- FDA: Safe Drug Use After a Natural Disaster
- FDA: Insulin Storage and Switching Between Products in an Emergency
- FDA: Ornamental Fish Drugs and You
- Texas State Board of Pharmacy: 2026 Severe Storm Notification
- ASPR (HHS): Emergency Prescription Assistance Program activation
- Ready.gov (FEMA): Older Adults
Related entries
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General safety information only, not medical or professional advice. Rules can change, so check the linked sources and follow your local officials. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.