WHEN it comes to some medications, where and how you store them matters as they can quickly lose their potency if exposed to heat. Proper storage is therefore essential to keep them safe.

Dr Khaleah Kirkland, pharmacist, explains which medications require refrigeration and what to do when the power goes out.

“Certain drugs are highly temperature-sensitive,” Dr Kirkland pointed out. “If they’re not kept cool, they can degrade and lose effectiveness.“

She said these include vaccines such as COVID-19, flu, and MMR (measles, mumps and rubella), biologics like insulin and epinephrine, certain antibiotics, especially injectable types, hormone therapies used in fertility treatments, and immunoglobulins for immune disorders.

The consequences of failing to refrigerate these medications can be serious.

“Reduced potency, risk of contamination, possible adverse reactions, and complete loss of usability are all potential outcomes,” she said.

So what can patients do during a power outage? Dr Kirkland made the following suggestions:

1)Use a portable cooler with ice or gel packs. The gel packs can be purchased in some pharmacies or online; the portable coolers can also be purchased locally or online.

2) Store medications in a shaded area wrapped in a towel.

3) Rely on back-up power sources such as a generator or battery-powered fridge.

4) Ask a neighbour or friend to store them temporarily.

If keeping medications cool isn’t possible, the advice is clear: “Don’t use medication if you’re unsure about its safety,” she said. “Instead, contact your healthcare provider for alternatives or replacements.”

For those who have lost medication or cannot access a pharmacy, urgent care centres or emergency rooms may be able to help. Checking local pharmacies for emergency supplies and contacting patient assistance programmes or the manufacturer are also recommended steps.

Dr Kirkland has one final tip: “Plan ahead! If you rely on refrigerated medication, have a back-up strategy ready before an emergency strikes.”