Medication During a Power Outage or Hurricane: What Mississippi Patients Must Know

Build the buffer now

The single most useful step is keeping a buffer of every chronic medication, ideally 7 to 14 days beyond the next scheduled refill. Many insurance plans now allow early refills during declared emergencies, but the plans vary, the rules change, and waiting until a storm is named is not a plan.

Practical approach:

• Refill each medication as soon as the insurance allows (typically when you have 7 to 10 days remaining).
• Ask your pharmacist whether your plan allows occasional early refills for emergency preparedness.
• Keep a written record of every medication, dose, and frequency in your emergency kit.
• Update the list every time something changes.

Insulin and other refrigerated medications

Power outages create the most risk for refrigerated medications, particularly insulin and certain biologics.

• Unopened insulin vials and pens are stable in the refrigerator until expiration. If refrigeration fails, most insulins are stable at room temperature (up to about 86 F) for about 28 days, but check the specific product label.
• Insulin should not be exposed to extreme heat (above about 86 F) or freezing. Hot car storage destroys insulin.
• If you must use a cooler during an extended outage, keep a thermometer in the cooler and check it regularly. Insulin should never freeze.
• Other refrigerated medications including some biologics and certain antibiotics have specific storage requirements. Confirm with your pharmacist before storm season.

Evacuation kit

If you may need to evacuate, prepare a medication kit in advance.

• All prescription medications for at least 7 to 14 days.
• OTC medications you take regularly.
• A written list of all medications, doses, prescribers, and pharmacy contact information.
• Glucose meter, test strips, lancets if diabetic.
• Insulin pens or vials in an insulated case with cold pack if needed.
• Inhalers, spacers, peak flow meter if applicable.
• Blood pressure cuff if you monitor at home.
• Sharps disposal container.
• Adult and pediatric OTC essentials including pain reliever, antacid, allergy medication.
• First aid supplies.
• Copy of insurance card and photo ID.
• Phone numbers for your pharmacy, primary care, and specialists.

When the power is out and the pharmacy is closed

During and immediately after a storm:

• Most pharmacies prioritize emergency refills as soon as systems are back up. Many open with limited hours during the recovery phase.
• Mississippi allows pharmacists to provide emergency refills of most maintenance medications during declared emergencies, even without an active prescription on file. Call your pharmacy.
• If you have evacuated to another part of the state or out of state, find the nearest pharmacy and explain your situation. Most pharmacies can provide an emergency supply of essential medications.
• For insulin and other essentials, hospital emergency rooms can provide bridging supplies in true emergencies, but this is a last resort.

Specific medications worth extra planning

• Insulin and other diabetes medications.
• Anticoagulants including warfarin, apixaban, rivaroxaban.
• Seizure medications.
• Mental health medications, particularly those that should not be stopped abruptly.
• Cardiac medications.
• Steroids that should not be stopped abruptly.
• Inhalers for asthma and COPD.
• Opioids for chronic pain, with extra documentation given controlled substance refill rules.
• Transplant medications.

Storage of medications in heat and humidity

Most medications should be stored below 77 F. Mississippi summers and post storm conditions can push storage temperatures well above this.

• Do not store medications in the car. Trunks reach over 130 F.
• Keep medications in the coolest, driest part of the house.
• Do not store in bathrooms with showers (heat and humidity).
• If you must temporarily store at higher temperatures during a recovery period, ask the pharmacist whether the medication can be replaced after the emergency.

After the storm

Once normal operations resume:

• Refill anything you used out of your emergency buffer.
• Check medications for damage, especially anything that may have been exposed to heat or water.
• Replace insulin or other refrigerated medications that may have been compromised.
• Review and refresh your emergency kit so it is ready for the next event.

When to talk to a pharmacist

• Before storm season, to set up a buffer and review your plan.
• During or immediately after a storm if you are running low.
• If you have evacuated and need an emergency supply.
• If you are not sure whether a medication was compromised by heat or outage.
• If you have diabetes, take insulin, or take any temperature sensitive medication.

This article is for general information only and is not a substitute for personalized medical advice. Before starting or changing any medication, including over the counter products and supplements, talk with your pharmacist or physician about your specific situation.