Access to medication during floods

By Alpro Pharmacy

October 27, 2021

The Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia) has announced that Malaysia will experience continuous heavy rainfall from mid-November, leading to probable major flash floods in several states, and the monsoon season which will last until early next year.

Given this scenario, Alpro Pharmacy has outlined several precautionary measures for residents in flood-prone areas to ensure they stay safe.

This includes closely monitoring one’s surroundings and to stay up to date on weather forecasts and warnings and assembling disaster supplies including long-term medications and first aid kits in water-proof bags in case of evacuation.

Patients, especially the elderly and those with chronic diseases, are advised to visit their nearest pharmacy along with their chronic medications in order to keep a record in the pharmacy and have an up-to-date medication list.

Patients who have lost their prescription copies and are facing difficulties retrieving their medication list will benefit from storing their medication history at their nearest community pharmacy.

Chronic medications, in particular, require compliance and consistency for an optimal health outcome.

It’s important to assemble disaster supplies including long-term medications and first aid kits in water-proof bags in case of evacuation.

In the aftermath of a flood, due to poor sanitation and hygiene in flood areas, there could be flood-borne diseases such as leptospirosis, cholera and dengue fever.

Flood survivors should keep an eye out for general symptoms such as fever, headache, diarrhoea, muscle aches, and vomiting to help identify possible infections.

In the case of any such symptoms, they should visit the nearest healthcare centre immediately.

For those who have had their chronic medication contaminated or washed away by the flood, Alpro provides a one-time supply for up to 7 days for free.

Communities affected by the flood can visit any of the 200 Alpro Pharmacy outlets nationwide to speak to the pharmacists for more details. A police report is required for verification purposes.

The free medication and medical assistance are initiatives under the Life-saving Medication Care Programme – a long-standing commitment by Alpro and DOC2US to provide healthcare support to communities affected by natural disasters.

Read original article: New Straits Times