Medication Safety in Emergencies: What to Keep in Your Go-Bag

When a disaster strikes-whether it’s a flood, fire, or sudden power outage-your first thought shouldn’t be, “Where are my pills?” Yet, for millions of people who rely on daily medications, that’s exactly what happens. Emergency responders can’t always reach you right away. Pharmacies might be closed or destroyed. Power outages can ruin insulin or other temperature-sensitive drugs. The solution isn’t complicated, but too few people do it: build a medication go-bag and keep it ready.

Why Your Go-Bag Needs More Than Water and Flashlights

Most people know to pack water, non-perishable food, a flashlight, and batteries. But if you take even one prescription medication, your survival depends on more than just the basics. The CDC reports that 89% of Americans over 65 take at least one prescription drug. That number is even higher among people with chronic conditions like diabetes, heart disease, or asthma. In the 72 hours after a disaster, access to your meds can mean the difference between stability and crisis.

A 2022 FEMA report after Hurricane Ida found that 23% of evacuees ran out of medication. Of those, 31% were missing cardiovascular drugs, 22% were out of respiratory inhalers, and 18% had no insulin. These aren’t just inconveniences-they’re life-threatening. One Reddit user, ‘MedPrepRN,’ shared that during Hurricane Ian, their 7-day supply ran out after 11 days. They wished they’d followed the two-week recommendation from Alert San Diego.

What to Pack: The Core Items

Your go-bag isn’t just a random collection of bottles. It’s a carefully planned emergency kit. Here’s what you need:

• At least 7 to 14 days of all prescription medications-not just your main ones, but also any as-needed drugs like asthma inhalers, pain relievers, or anti-anxiety meds. Some experts, like those at Alert San Diego, recommend two weeks to account for longer evacuations.
• Over-the-counter essentials: Pain relievers (like ibuprofen or acetaminophen), antihistamines, anti-diarrheal meds, and antacids. Don’t assume you’ll find these in shelters.
• Medical devices: Glucometers, insulin syringes, nebulizers, CPAP machines (with extra batteries), and epinephrine auto-injectors. These aren’t optional.
• Original prescription bottles-not pill organizers. Labels contain vital info: drug name, dosage, prescribing doctor, and pharmacy contact. If you’re in an ER and can’t remember what you take, those labels save lives.
• A printed medication list: Include the name of each drug, why you take it, the dose, and the time of day. Add any allergies or past reactions. This is the single most useful thing you can carry.
• Emergency contact info: Your primary care doctor’s name and number, pharmacy details, and a list of emergency contacts. Include next of kin.
• Medical documents: Insurance cards, advance directives (like a DNR), and recent lab results if you have them. Keep these in a waterproof pouch.

Don’t forget your glasses, hearing aids, or dentures if you use them. These aren’t “medications,” but they’re critical for your safety and ability to communicate in an emergency.

Storage: Keep It Safe, Keep It Accessible

A go-bag is useless if you can’t find it-or if the meds inside are ruined. Here’s how to store it right:

• Use a sturdy, water-resistant bag. Backpacks or duffels with zippered compartments work best. Avoid plastic bins that can crack or leak.
• Store it in an easy-to-reach spot. Not the basement. Not the garage. Keep it near your front door, on a high shelf in your bedroom closet, or next to your shoes by the exit. You need to grab it in under 30 seconds.
• Keep it away from kids and pets. Medications are not toys. Lock it if needed.
• Check it twice a year. Set a reminder for April and October. Look for expired pills, cracked bottles, or dampness.

For temperature-sensitive drugs like insulin, insulin pens, or certain biologics, regular room temperature isn’t enough. The CDC says 62% of insulin-dependent users struggle with this during power outages. Solutions? Use a Frio Wallet or similar cooling case-these are tested to keep meds below 86°F for up to 48 hours without ice. New tech like the MedAngel ONE sensor (FDA-cleared in 2023) can alert you via phone if your bag gets too hot or cold.

How to Build It: A Step-by-Step Plan

You don’t need to do this all at once. Break it into steps:

1. Make your list. Write down every medication you take, including OTC ones. Include dosages and times.
2. Call your pharmacy. Ask if you can get a 60- or 90-day supply instead of 30 days. Most insurers allow this for chronic conditions. Pharmacies in 42 U.S. states can give emergency refills without a new prescription during declared disasters.
3. Fill prescriptions early. Don’t wait until you’re down to your last pill. Fill them the day you’re eligible. This keeps your supply fresh and ready.
4. Rotate your stock. Every time you refill a med, swap the new bottle into your go-bag and move the old one to your home supply. This ensures nothing expires.
5. Make copies. Print your medication list, insurance info, and doctor contacts. Keep one copy in your bag and one in your wallet or phone.

It takes most people two or three tries to get it right. Don’t stress perfection. Just start.

Special Cases: Kids, Seniors, and Complex Regimens

If you’re caring for someone with special needs, your go-bag needs extra attention.

• Children: Include favorite comfort items and age-appropriate meds. Some kids need liquid formulations. Check expiration dates often-pediatric doses change fast.
• Seniors: Many take 5+ medications. Use a pill organizer with dates, but always keep originals in the bag. Include a list of all conditions, not just meds.
• Complex regimens: If you take injectables, infusions, or biologics, talk to your pharmacist. Some drugs require refrigeration even during evacuation. Ask if your pharmacy offers emergency shipping or storage options.

AdventHealth’s emergency team says: “When you’re in the hospital, we’re required to give you all your meds so you can leave your prescriptions at home.” That’s true-but what if you never make it to the hospital?

What Most People Get Wrong

Here are the biggest mistakes:

• Keeping meds in the bathroom. Humidity ruins pills. Store them in a dry, cool place-like your bedroom.
• Using unlabeled containers. A pill organizer with no labels is useless in an emergency. Always keep originals.
• Assuming shelters will have your meds. Shelters are overwhelmed. They rarely stock prescription drugs.
• Waiting until the last minute. If a hurricane is coming, it’s too late. Build your bag now, not when the sirens sound.

One user on the American Red Cross forum said their go-bag saved their life during a flash flood. Emergency workers saw their medication list and avoided giving them a drug that interacted dangerously with their heart meds. That’s the power of a simple list.

The Bigger Picture

Only 22% of U.S. households have adequate medication supplies in their emergency kits, according to FEMA’s 2023 report. That’s up from 15% in 2010, but still dangerously low. Climate change is making disasters more frequent. By 2030, weather-related evacuations could rise by 40%. With 157 million Americans living with chronic conditions, the need for preparedness isn’t optional-it’s urgent.

The good news? You don’t need to spend a fortune. A basic go-bag costs less than $50. Most of what you need is already in your medicine cabinet. You just need to move it, label it, and protect it.

Next Steps: Start Today

You don’t need to buy anything new. Look in your medicine cabinet. Grab your most critical prescriptions. Write down what you take. Put it in a bag. Do it now. Not tomorrow. Not when the weather turns. Today.

If you’re unsure what to include, call your pharmacist. They know your meds better than anyone. Ask: “What would I need if I had to leave my home in 10 minutes?” They’ll help you build a plan. And if you’re helping someone else-parent, sibling, neighbor-ask them if they have a go-bag. Many older adults don’t realize how vital this is.

Medication safety in emergencies isn’t about being prepared for the worst. It’s about ensuring that when disaster hits, your health doesn’t become another casualty.