Prescriptions

Pill Box

About half of all Americans take a prescription medicine every day. An emergency can make it difficult for them to refill their prescription or to find an open pharmacy. Organize and protect your prescriptions, over-the-counter drugs, and vitamins to prepare for an emergency.

The Basics

  • Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about how you can create an emergency supply of medicines.
  • A list of your prescription medicines. Include information about your diagnosis, dosage, frequency, medical supply needs, and allergies.
  • Nonprescription drugs, like pain and fever relievers, antihistamines, and antidiarrheal medicines.
  • A cooler and chemical ice packs to chill medicines that need to be refrigerated.
Emergency Prescription Refill Laws

Pharmacists in North Carolina can dispense early refills of some prescription medicines when there’s an emergency declaration. Yet, 31% of storm-related emergency department visits in the state during Hurricane Florence were for refills. (1) Learn about your state’s emergency prescription refill law and how it can help you prepare.

Page last reviewed: March 1, 2021, 12:47 PM