Earthquakes, severe weather and other disasters can disrupt access to healthcare services, so preparation is especially important if you or your whanāu are reliant on medication.
Specialist GP and past Royal College of General Practitioners, President, Dr. Samantha Murton said they always recommend that someone should have two weeks’ worth of their medications.
Medications can be lost or inaccessible if you’ve had to evacuate urgently, so it is important to have clear records of what you’re taking. Learn the names of the medications you’re taking.
For people who take multiple medications, especially older adults, Dr. Murton recommends working closely with healthcare providers to identify which of your medications are absolutely essential, particularly those that might cause withdrawal symptoms if you stop them suddenly.
How to get your medications prepared
-
Know your medications properly: Record the name, dosage, and frequency of what you’re taking.
-
Keep proper records: Take photos of pill bottles with your name and dosage information, save a screenshot from your patient portal (keep them on your phone’s camera roll, so you can still see them if the internet is down) or carry a card or print-out in your wallet with this information.
-
Plan ahead with supplies: Aim to have at least 7-10 days of medication on hand. When getting repeat prescriptions, try to stay a little bit ahead.
-
Work out what your most critical medications are: Talk to your pharmacy to understand what you absolutely cannot miss, and which might be less critical for a few days.
-
Create an emergency medication kit: Keep your essential medications in a dedicated container, along with other useful items like paracetamol and ibuprofen. For families with children, make sure you’ve got liquid formulations that they can swallow.
-
Check expiry dates: Regularly rotate and replace medications in your emergency kit.
How to keep your medications chilled if they require it?
-
Keep ice packs in your freezer and have a chilly bin or polystyrene container at the ready.
-
Make sure you put it in something that will also protect it from the ice pack. You don’t want to risk it getting wet from condensation or as the ice melts. You’ll also want to keep the information on the label dry, so you can still read what it is and when and how much to take.
What if you’re on controlled medications?
-
If you're on controlled medication it will limit the quantity you can be prescribed or how much you can have at once. Make sure you always have about a week's supply by getting refills as soon as your repeat allows; typically within seven days of running out.
-
Don’t stockpile. They could get stolen, be accidentally taken by children or you may find they’ve expired and can’t be used anyway.
Be prepared for disasters while you're on holiday
-
Disasters don’t always happen when you’re at home. When you're travelling take enough medication for your holiday and a bit more.
-
Plan for the fact that local services may prioritise their regular patients in an emergency.
-
Have your records of what you’re taking handy and give someone back home a copy in case you need it.
Information for accessing medication in a disaster
When a disaster happens your local pharmacy may still be open or temporary ‘field pharmacies’ may be set up to make sure you can get the medicine you need.
Community Pharmacist Bronwen Shepherd said it’s important to know how emergency dispensing works and what to expect.
She said research from overseas events like Hurricane Katrina in the United States showed that not being able to access medicine can be almost as devastating as the disaster itself.
“Medicine continuity is arguably the biggest risk for secondary death in a significant emergency.” she said.
How the emergency dispensing of medicines works
Any person can request a 3-day supply of medicine from any pharmacy (if they've had it prescribed within the last 90-180 days, and the pharmacist is satisfied it is clinically appropriate) even when it’s not a civil emergency e.g. lost medicines, ran out unexpectedly. But you’ll pay full cost for both the medicine and dispensing fee (no government funding).
During Declared Emergencies
When a national or civil emergency is declared, the Ministry of Health can extend that 3-day supply to 14 or 30 days and it will likely be free.
What you’ll need to access an emergency supply of medicines
Documents and Identification
- Most pharmacies can access your prescription history through centralised patient data systems.
- If the internet is down (common during emergencies), you may need to rely on your own written records (old labels, prescription details etc).
- If your usual pharmacy is open it will have your complete history on file.
- The pharmacist assesses each case individually for safety.
- For controlled medicines, if you don’t have adequate information or proof of ID pharmacists may decline your request.
Which medicines can’t be emergency dispensed?
Controlled Drugs
- Some strong pain relief medications including codeine, tramadol and opioids.
- Ritalin and other ADHD medicines (methylphenidate).
- Some anti-anxiety medications (most antidepressants are not controlled).
Other Restricted Medicines
- Section 29 medicines (unregistered medicines used as a substitute when regular supplies are short).
- Medicines currently in short supply.
- Cold chain medicines when refrigeration systems are compromised.
- Medicines requiring special authority that have expired.
- Find out if your medicines are controlled or restricted drugs before an emergency happens.
How to find an open pharmacy during an emergency
Check these sources in this order:
1. Physical signs on pharmacy doors - usually the first and most reliable information.
2. Pharmacy social pages - if the internet is available.
3. Local radio stations - often provide comprehensive emergency updates including pharmacy information.
4. Your local Civil Defence Emergency Management office - can direct you to the pharmacies that are operating.
5. Health New Zealand and Healthpoint online updates - But they may be delayed.
Important reality check - what to expect from your local pharmacy
- Pharmacies operate in isolation during emergencies, often for weeks.
- Phone lines may be down or overloaded.
- Internet access is often limited or non-existent.
- Physical visits may be the only way to determine if a pharmacy is open.
Payment during emergencies
-
During declared emergencies, medicines are usually funded and become free, or pharmacists often operate on good faith when payment systems fail.
-
Have cash in case funding is not yet approved or payment systems are down, or you want to buy over the counter supplies.
-
Funding approval from the government can take time to come through.
What pharmacies can provide beyond your regular medicines
During declared emergencies, pharmacies may be authorised to provide:
-
New prescriptions for minor conditions like infections or gastroenteritis.
-
Pandemic-related treatments such as antiviral medications.
-
Some emergency medical equipment and PPE.
-
Vaccinations if required for emergency response.
Community support is crucial - Get involved
Pharmacies rely heavily on local support during emergencies, including:
-
Generators donated to maintain power.
-
Local engineers to check the safety of damaged pharmacy buildings.
-
Delivery drivers to transport medicines.
-
General community assistance and resources.
The official emergency response system often takes time to reach pharmacies, so community connections and local knowledge will make all the difference. If it’s safe to do so, get involved.
Further information
Resources for an emergency
In the event of a civil defence emergency listen to your radio.
-
A resource for getting you and your whānau prepared and ready for an emergency.
-
-
The Agency responsible for national emergency management planning and leading or supporting the response and recovery from emergencies.
-
-
Warnings, watches and severe weather outlook.
-
-
A list of local and regional councils who will provide civil defence information for your area.
Emergency Guides
Metservice weather explainer: Severe weather
MetService weather explainer: thunderstorms
Mis and disinformation and how to spot it
Getting your flat emergency ready
Your community is your best resource in an emergency
Managing your medication during an emergency
Specialist GP, Dr. Samantha Murton. Photo: Supplied
"People often know their drugs by the colour or shape, but as doctors, we don't." Dr Murton said that can make it hard for doctors and pharmacists to identify what people need.
Community Pharmacist, Bronwen Shepherd. Photo: Supplied
"In an emergency you can check if your local pharmacy is still functioning by going there to see if it has a sign up showing opening status and checking its social media page or local radio for updates." - Bronwen Shepherd
