Protect Medications During Hurricane Season
The BVI Ministry of Health and Social Development is urging residents to prepare now for the 2026 Atlantic Hurricane Season by safeguarding medications, insulin, medical devices and other critical health supplies. Chief of Drugs and Pharmaceutical Services Gracia Wheatley-Smith advises people with chronic conditions to keep at least a one-month supply, keep an updated medication list, and take special precautions for temperature-sensitive medicines and oxygen therapy.
ROAD TOWN, Tortola — The Ministry of Health and Social Development is urging residents across the British Virgin Islands to take practical steps now to protect medications, insulin, medical devices and other essential health supplies as the 2026 Atlantic Hurricane Season continues.
Chief of Drugs and Pharmaceutical Services Gracia Wheatley-Smith stressed that preparation should begin well before a storm threatens the Territory, particularly for people managing chronic illnesses. Residents with hypertension, diabetes, asthma and other long-term conditions are advised to maintain at least a one-month supply of prescription medicines throughout hurricane season to minimise treatment disruptions should pharmacies close or supplies become delayed.
The Ministry recommends keeping an up-to-date list of all medications, including names and dosages, and storing medicines in secure containers rather than loose plastic bags. Medications in their original packaging should be placed inside zip-lock plastic bags as extra protection against floodwaters, and stored in parts of the home least likely to flood — for example, higher shelves or upper-floor rooms.
Include all prescriptions, over-the-counter drugs, inhalers, spacers and other medical supplies in your emergency preparedness kit so they are ready to grab in an evacuation. Special care is needed for insulin and other temperature-sensitive medicines. Most insulin products can remain unrefrigerated between 59°F and 86°F (15°C and 30°C) for up to 28 days, but must be protected from direct sunlight and excessive heat.
During power outages, residents should closely monitor storage conditions and seek guidance from a pharmacist if unsure about a product’s integrity. Parents and caregivers of children with asthma are urged to ensure a full or new inhaler is on hand before storms, and to inspect and replace damaged spacers.
Persons who rely on oxygen therapy should avoid open flames and gas-powered lamps; battery-powered flashlights are recommended, and all electrical equipment must be kept dry and protected during a storm. After a hurricane, inspect medications and supplies for signs of water damage or contamination.
Medicines that remain dry and uncompromised may be used, but any items exposed to floodwaters should be returned to a pharmacy for assessment and possible replacement. The Ministry cautions against immediately discarding potentially contaminated medications because pharmacists and healthcare workers may need to identify medicines when medical records are lost.
Wheatley-Smith said that taking these straightforward precautions can help ensure continuity of care, reduce health risks and make recovery smoother for families across the Territory.
Primary source: Guavaberry