How Extreme Weather Is Putting Life-Saving Prescriptions at Risk
Extreme weather events are occurring more often throughout the world. Floods, forest fires, tsunamis, and a range of other issues are affecting industries of all types, resulting in significant costs for consumers. One area that is particularly affected is the availability of prescriptions.
Drug shortages are already a concern throughout the country, and they have been for a while. The high demand for certain medications, especially those for chronic conditions like diabetes, makes every delay in production a serious issue.
People are not able to receive the drugs they need, and even if they’re available, people can’t afford them because prices have skyrocketed. Furthermore, weather events can destroy the medications they take home, making them less effective and leading to emergencies.
Addressing high medication costs and availability gaps must include strategies for better managing the problems that extreme weather causes. Learn more about the main reasons why these weather events have such an impact on medication below. For more on this, read our blog on why so many prescriptions are out of stock.
How Extreme Weather Disrupts Medication Production and Delivery
Extreme weather can cause a number of issues that make medication production less efficient, resulting in supply issues.
Temperature Fluctuations
One problem is that extreme weather events cause fluctuations in temperature that could impact drugs. Extreme heat or cold during transportation could damage the medications and make them ineffective or even dangerous.
When there are weather disruptions, shipping drugs or ingredients can take longer and could expose the products to unexpected temperatures. This is a significant problem for all medications, but especially temperature-sensitive ones such as insulin, antibiotics, and oral solutions.
Transportation Disruptions
Severe storms like hurricanes or blizzards can cause delays because of transportation network disruptions. Infrastructure damage could block the passage of shipments, and flights can be grounded, leading to medications sitting on tarmacs or warehouse floors.
Power outages can also be a concern, along with an increased likelihood of accidents, especially when depending on commercial trucks, which could further delay the process.
Supply Chain Problems
During extreme weather events, supply chain issues can suddenly arise. Airports, roads, and ports can close, delaying freight shipments, while factories can stop production of the medications because of power outages, flooding, and more.
It can be impossible to deliver the raw materials that pharmaceutical companies need to produce the drugs. Warehouses where drugs may be sitting awaiting shipment could suffer damage, putting the entire supply in danger.
Regulatory Concerns
After a natural disaster, there may be additional regulations in place for anything coming in and out of the area. That could further exacerbate the delays.
Supply Issues and Rising Costs
The economic concept of supply and demand applies in these severe weather situations. The demand for medications remains high, while the supply availability is low, leading to higher prices.
On top of that, pharmaceutical companies and all of the middlemen that bring medications to consumers experience higher costs in the production and shipment of medications during extreme weather scenarios. They may need to repair infrastructure and deal with other expenses they were not able to predict.
Because they are for-profit companies, they pass down those added costs to consumers. Since there is such a demand and not enough supply to allow for competition, the prices can begin to skyrocket.
Even areas that have not been impacted by extreme weather could be affected as companies scramble to get access to raw materials or better transportation. This ripple effect across the industry means that people all over the country could find themselves not being able to access the medications they need or having to pay more than they did.
How Extreme Weather Threatens Medication Safety at Home
It’s not just pharmaceutical factories or shipping routes that suffer during extreme weather. Patients themselves face new risks when storing or using medications during these events. For patients living paycheck to paycheck or without stable housing, replacing damaged or lost medications can be financially near impossible.
| Type of Weather | Medication Risk | Examples |
| Heatwaves | Medications degrade at high temps | Insulin, EpiPens, inhalers, liquid antibiotics |
| Freezing Temperatures | Freezing can ruin liquid medications or break containers | Insulin, injectable meds, eye drops |
| Power Outages | Loss of refrigeration can make temperature-sensitive drugs unsafe | Insulin, biologics, vaccines |
| Storms & Hurricanes | Medications can be lost, water-damaged, or become inaccessible due to evacuation | All prescription meds, especially controlled substances |
| Wildfires | Heat/smoke exposure can damage inhalers or worsen respiratory conditions | Inhalers, nebulizers |
| Flooding | Medications can be contaminated or lost; access to pharmacies may be limited | All prescription and over-the-counter meds |
How Does Extreme Weather Affect Health?
Extreme weather can be dangerous for everyone involved, but for people who rely on daily medications, it can be life-threatening. Here are some ways health can worsen, causing individuals to need more medication and piling on costs:
- Heatwaves increase the risk of dehydration, heatstroke, and heart complications in people taking medications like diuretics, beta blockers, or antidepressants.
- Cold snaps can increase blood pressure and the risk of heart attacks and strokes.
- Wildfire smoke can worsen asthma and COPD, making functioning inhalers or nebulizers vitally needed.
- Flooding and hurricanes often lead to missed doses, contaminated water supplies, and limited access to pharmacies or emergency care.
How to Keep Medication Safe from Weather Events
Protecting your medications during extreme weather can make all the difference both for your health and financially. Here are some steps you can take:
Step 1: Store medications properly: Keep them in a cool, dry place that is away from sunlight, heat, and freezing temperatures.
Step 2: Use insulated bags or coolers when you are transporting temperature-sensitive medications like insulin.
Step 3: Have a grab-and-go kit: Include a waterproof pouch with at least 3–7 days’ worth of medications, a printed med list, and emergency contact info in case of an emergency.
Step 4: Plan for power outages: Have a place you can store your refrigerated medications in times of power outages, or purchase a generator and a small fridge.
Step 5: Talk to your pharmacist: Ask how to store your medication and what to do if you miss a dose or suspect your medication has been damaged.
Solutions for Rising Medication Costs
For people who have been struggling to pay for their prescriptions because of these extreme weather disruptions, there is an option that can make the process easier — prescription assistance programs. These programs allow you to gain access to more affordable medication so that you never have to skip a dose again.
Prescription assistance programs work with pharmaceutical and insurance companies to find affordable rates for consumers. With this assistance, you can avoid the most serious cost spikes that occur because of extreme weather.
Get Affordable Access to Prescription Medications
Simplefill is a full-service prescription assistance company that researches, qualifies, and maintains patients’ enrollment in all sources of assistance available to them.
Apply today by calling 877-386-0206. A caring Simplefill representative will contact you within 24 hours to discuss your application and, if qualified, enroll you in the program.
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