Florida residents should refill prescription medications before Hurricane Irma hits the state, even if their current supply seems like an adequate amount, according to Candy McGuyre, corporate marketing director of Pensacola, Fla.-based Baptist Health Care.
"If you have prescription medication, don't wait until you're too low," she told Pensacola News Journal. "Go ahead and get those filled."
If patients take medications that need to be chilled, they should also stock up on ice and coolers in case of electrical outages, according to Ms. McGuyre.
Insurance company Florida Blue, part of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, will allow all policy holders in Florida to get an early refill on medications until Sept. 19, according to company spokeswoman Toni Woods.
CVS is offering a one-time emergency refill on 10-day supplies of drugs for all CVS Caremark and CVS Health plan members living in areas affected by the hurricane, according to Tampa Bay Times. Walgreens and Winn-Dixie are also processing emergency refills for maintenance mediations that are non-controlled substances, among other pharmacy retail chains in the state.
Hurricane Irma, a Category 5 storm, is expected to hit southern Florida as early as Sunday, according to CNN.
Editor's note: This article was updated Sept. 8.
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