Coronavirus means planning for prescription drugs

HOW TO KEEP ADEQUATE SUPPLIES ON HAND If you want a reserve of prescription medication at home, start by talking to your doctor, said Robert McLean, a rheumatologist and president of the

American College of Physicians. It's possible your physician could bump up your prescription from a 30-day supply to a 90-day supply. Then, call your pharmacy to make sure it can fill

it. If you don't have access to a larger supply and want to refill your medication before the refill date, call your prescription plan and explain your situation, Bernstein suggested.

The insurer may be able to type in a code to alert the pharmacist that an early refill has been approved. Note, however, that early refills often are not available for controlled substances.

If your insurer denies your refill request, don't be afraid to “make some noise” and advocate for yourself, said Redlener, who added that government officials and advocacy

organizations also can play a role in making sure people have access to the lifesaving supplies they need in case of an emergency. Finally, consider filling your prescriptions with a

mail-order service, McLean said. This method may not bulk up your reserves, but it will ensure your prescription is refilled on time and without a trip out in public. DON'T FORGET ABOUT

OVER-THE-COUNTER DRUGS Prescription medications aren't the only drugs to stock up on for emergency situations. In the case of the coronavirus, experts say over-the-counter medicines

that treat the symptoms of the illness (fever, cough and shortness of breath) are also important to keep on hand. McLean recommended grabbing an extra bottle or two of a fever-reducing drug,

such as acetaminophen (Tylenol), plus a cough suppressant like Robitussin. “They're not magic, but they can help a lot,” he said. If you have questions about how over-the-counter

medicines may interact with your routine drug regimen, ask the pharmacist, Bernstein said. “All over-the-counter drugs aren't appropriate for all patients,” she added. The CDC also

recommends that high-risk individuals stock up on household supplies such as tissues and groceries if delivery options are limited. Redlener pointed to nonperishable items such as

shelf-stable milk as a good option. And if you have children living in the house, keep diapers and other baby supplies on hand, and make sure older kids have access to activities and

schoolwork. "But the most important thing, by far, is the medication,” Redlener added.