Get 6 months of needed medication if you can. You never know

[applegrove]

what part of the world your meds come from and if shipment will be disrupted. I have some medication that is necessary. Some not so much.

*Not trying to panic anyone.

[mr_lebowski]

1. Also, if you're a hardcore dope addict who has to cop daily out on the mean streets ...

This is probably a REAL good time to start kinda ... winding it down.

Just a little PSA from ol' Mr L.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

2. You can generally get 90 days. Not sure about more than that. n/t

[applegrove]

3. Yes. I'm not assuming i will get it. But i will ask.

[OhioChick]

4. You're right, Peg

90 days is it, no more.

[murielm99]

5. Yes, ninety days.

And they will not fill prescriptions ahead of time in most cases.

I received an exception once. I had a prescription filled a bit early when I had to take an emergency trip. They took that number of pills out of my next refill.

[nilram]

9. I always fill them as early as I can. So with some,

I’m now about a month ahead.

[Leghorn21]

6. You betcha, apple - one of my lifelong mottos is "better to have it and not need it than to need it

and not have it” - stock up on what you can and then stand by...you know, I was thinking this evening that we are so much luckier, if that is the word, than poor old China, because at least we have a heads up and can prepare somewhat, whereas they went downhill so fast nobody knew what hit them

hang tough, everybody

[applegrove]

7. Oh i think i will only be able to get the ones i need. I'm not going to ask about the ones

i don't need.

[cwydro]

15. Curious. If you don't need some, why take them?

[applegrove]

16. I take them on occassion. Sometimes ptsd is too much

or something bad happens in and i need a calming pill. I have enough to get me through a few months. I usually just power through the fear. The pills are habit forming so i don't take them regularly. Plus i have some prescriptions for skin issues. I am not dependant on them. I could go without them.

[Dorian Gray]

17. I have an inhaler bc I have asthma

but the asthma only comes on in certain circumstances. High pollen season. When I have a cold and it moves to my chest. When I travelled to Hawaii and the active volcano produced high levels of volcanic ash in the air.

So I use it when needed. Not every day. It's something that I can not have around the house but get as needed by the doctor. But I picked up my prescription for a new rescue inhaler yesterday to have on hand. And in a month, I will pick up a second one, and a month after that, a third. (Whether I use them or not). This virus affects the lungs. I want to make sure I have it on hand in case I need it.

(That's an example of a medicine you don't need daily but should have on hand.)

Also, Epipens!

And I'm sure there are many others.

[dalton99a]

8. 90% of core components are sourced in China

https://www.wfmynews2.com/article/news/local/2-wants-to-know/coronavirus-stopping-production-drug-ingredients-china-shortages-america-health/83-4ff589d5-b445-44e5-b626-9c24ff3f1627
How coronavirus in China could cause drug shortages in America
The outbreak could stop production flow of key drug ingredients to America if it continues for longer.
CBS News

The raging coronavirus outbreak that has shut down employers and paralyzed business in China could soon constrain the production of core ingredients for critical drugs and medical products sold thousands of miles away in the U.S.

Restrictions on travel to and from China have forced the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to postpone inspections of Chinese factories. This delay could interfere with China's ability to continue supplying the U.S. with the active pharmaceutical ingredients for antibiotics and other medications used to treat serious illnesses, including tuberculosis, experts said.

"There is a lot of reliance on China for antibiotics, and I worry about it for sure," said former FDA compliance executive Steven Lynn, who now runs a consulting firm. "The worst-case scenario is China starts shutting down all its ports. That means no more air traffic, boats or trains are going out, and raw material can't get out of the country."

At particular risk of running short, is the U.S. supply of antibiotics such as amoxicillin, doxycycline, penicillin and other key drugs, with experts noting that 90% of their core components are sourced in China.

Demand for the anesthetics epinephrine and propofol, as well as pain reliever fentanyl, is also increasing at hospitals in China that are treating patients with coronavirus. Their supply is limited, and China could start stockpiling medical ingredients to treat its own citizens, some experts warn.

[tazsarge]

10. Where to get meds

I have been told that drugs like antibiotics, some topical ointments etc. Can be obtained at Farm & Fleet, Tractor Supply etc.
Is this true and are they safe for humans?

[dalton99a]

11. Should be ok if you think you can get the same dosage

The inactive ingredients in the animal version are different (additives, binding agents, etc) - but not dangerous or anything

[2naSalit]

13. I make a lot of my own

things. Glad I don't need much in the way of insulin or the like. I have to wait until next week to go shopping but I plan to stock up on ingredients.

[MFM008]

12. some insurances

only give you 30 days period.

[wishstar]

14. My Blue Cross allows only up to 90 days

thankfully my spouse's 2 vital meds just came up for 90 day refills and are ready for pickup today. But we are also going to stock up on some over the counter meds too since our recent bouts with colds have depleted our trusty favorites.

[Dorian Gray]

18. Yes

We bought a bunch of Umcka cold and flu tabs, Tylenol, advil, and Robitussin to have on hand.

[mitch96]

19. with lots of people living paycheck to paycheck and not being able to scrape up $$ for emergencys

What are you gonna do? You cant get 6 mos of anything much less meds......
m

[fleabiscuit]

20. I noticed an anomaly with my prescriptions that one might try... I did this just three weeks ago.

It could be a bit awkward and I don't know if it is normal... I just recently moved all my medication refills (rite aid) to another pharmacy (fred myer). I went to fred myer and asked that all my meds be transfered to them. I had taken a list of all that I use and they said they would notify me when they were ready. A day later I was notified they were ready. When I picked them up I got ALL of them and they were 90 day quantity. That surprised me because I was not due for refills from rite aid. (and those were for 30 days)

Just something to think about. And I'll give FM a plug... my total cost for the 5 scripts... Zero!

Just a FYI, your milage may very. I was transitioning from private insurance to medicare and researched that FM would be lowest cost for my meds.