Access to Pharmacy Resources During a Crisis

Hurricane Helene has left many without basic necessities in parts of western North Carolina. Vaya Health understands these essentials include prescription medications – an everyday need easily taken for granted until access is limited in times of crisis.

Accessing Medications During an Emergency

If you or a loved one need access to a prescription refill in an area affected by Hurricane Helene, follow the emergency guidelines below for acquiring non-controlled substances:

• Anyone can go to any open pharmacy with their prescription bottles to get a 30- or 90-day refill on their non-controlled substance medications.
• Pharmacies are allowed to refill the prescription even if there are no remaining refills. 
• Pain medications containing hydrocodone or oxycodone, as well as ADHD medications like Adderall and Ritalin are not included in emergency refill procedures.
• It is the legal responsibility for health plans licensed for operation in North Carolina to cover and allow prescriptions to be filled by people who reside in an area subject to an emergency declaration, even if it is considered “too soon” to be refilled. 
• Someone other than the patient can pick up the medication. Note: Some medications may require a copy of the patient’s ID, but it is not required in most cases. 

Operating pharmacies in the counties affected by Hurricane Helene are updated on the North Carolina Board of Pharmacy website. 

Additionally, the Administration for Strategic Preparedness & Response (ASPR)’s Emergency Prescription Assistance Program (EPAP) has been activated through Nov. 29 for certain North Carolina counties affected by Helene. EPAP is a federal initiative that helps uninsured individuals in affected disaster situations receive the medications and medical equipment they use in their everyday lives to stay healthy. 

To check eligibility, apply, and learn more about how EPAP can help you in North Carolina, review the EPAP Fact Sheet. 

Insulin FAQs

Insulin is an everyday prescription medication that regulates blood sugar and is essential for the lives of those who take it regularly. See below if you have questions or concerns about your insulin prescription during disaster: 

• How can you tell if your insulin has gone bad? If your insulin looks cloudy, discolored, clumpy, separated, or like it has little strings in it, it is probably not safe to use. Insulin that has gone bad runs the risk of being less effective. (EXCEPTION: intermediate-acting insulins such as Humulin N and Novolin N appear cloudy under normal circumstances).
• How do I properly store insulin for injection? Most insulin vials, pens, and cartridges can be out of the refrigerator for up to 28 days, stored at room temperature (59-86°F), unopened or opened, and continue to be effective. Do not use insulin that has been frozen.
• How do I properly store insulin pumps? Insulin contained in the infusion set of a pump device (reservoir, tubing catheters) should be discarded after 48 hours.

For more information on insulin and product-specific expiration dates, check out Vaya’s Insulin Best Practices flyer. 

For additional resources, visit Vaya’s Hurricane Helene recovery page.

For Vaya Total Care Members

For Vaya Total Care members impacted by Hurricane Helene, early prescription refills and prior approval overrides are available. Members should contact the Pharmacy Service Line at 1-800-540-6083 to address questions and concerns. During this time, out-of-state prescribers are available to members if necessary. Contact the Pharmacy Service Line to find the out-of-state pharmacy nearest to you during the emergency response period. The expanded network is working to assist our affected members as efficiently as possible. 

All Vaya offices are open to the public except Yancy County (Burnsville), Polk County, and Vaya’s administrative office in Asheville.