As the whole nation has gone under lockdown, one of the challenges people may face is the unavailability of needed medicines. People may have difficulties in accessing their prescribed drugs and over the counter medicines. We can't afford to compromise with medicines as they have a direct effect on our health. Here are a few simple tips that will guide you on how you can have access to your medicines.

1.    Keep a stock in hand

You must get at least one month's supply of your regular prescribed medications and over the counter medicines. They are crucial for managing your existing medical conditions. Some health officials are even recommending keeping refills for three months. Today, when it is uncertain how many more days the pandemic will last, it is better to be fully prepared with essentials. Many healthcare insurance plans such as Medicare are easing their limitations so that we can get larger quantities of our necessary medicines. Keep in mind to order your medicines several days prior to when your supplies run out. The pharmacies are flooded with orders at this time and may need some extra time to prepare and deliver your orders.

2.    Refrain from going to the local pharmacy

Keeping the social distancing and home restriction norms in mind, it is best to avoid stepping into the local pharmacies. Staying at home is even more necessary if you already have some health conditions such as heart or lung diseases or diabetes. Such conditions make you more prone to coronavirus infection. Even if you wish to consult your doctor about your ongoing medication, it's wise to have a quick talk over the phone. Venturing out of the house is a risky affair during this difficult time. Also, keep in mind, this quarantine will only be a success if we all understand the need to stay at home.

3.    Opt for pick up or delivery options

If you can't go out to pick up your prescribed medicines, you are left with these options: Check if your local pharmacy is offering delivery services. As home deliveries have emerged as the need of the hour, there are many pharmacies that have included home delivery in their services.  If not, you can always rely on online medicine delivery stores such as PharmEasy. PharmEasy has even introduced a zero-contact delivery system in its services. After you place your order, you will receive a call inquiring if you wish to opt for contactless delivery. The delivery package will be left outside of your home at a clean place and a picture of the package outside your doorstep will be sent to your phone.  You can collect the package from your doorstep whenever you wish to. This is an excellent initiative by     PharmEasy to ensure social distancing.  If you are above 65 years of age or if you have any health conditions, you could ask a friend, family member, or neighbor to pick up your medicines from a nearby store. The pharmacist is allowed to hand over medicines to friends or family if they bring the prescription along. You don't need to notify the pharmacist about who will be collecting your medicines. The prescription itself will suffice.  Several insurance companies are providing a mail-order option. You can order huge quantities of medicines at lower prices. Keep in mind that the mail order may take a few days to arrive at your home.This option is best suited for maintenance medications and not for those that are immediately needed.

4.    Seek assistance to bear your medication costs

Many people are facing financial difficulties due to the jobless quarantine period. The lack of insurance and the new expenses that have resulted from the pandemic have made things even worse. In such a case, the medicinal cost may seem like a burden to many. If you are on Medicare and if you meet their required criteria, you might be able to get Extra Help. This service helps you by lowering your prescription costs. If you are unable to receive Extra Help, you can still take assistance from other programs. For instance, the Patient Assistance Programs (PAPs) lets patients take brand-name medicines at a discounted price or even free from the drug manufacturer. You may use the BenefitsCheckUp - a free screening tool provided by NCOA. It lets you see whether you are eligible for receiving Extra Help or PAPs and SPAPs assistance. Platforms such as NeedyMeds allow you to search by drug names for available coupons and PAPs. It also allows you to compare the prices of a particular drug at various pharmacies in your locality.

Over to you!

To sum it up, medicines are an essential requirement and hence will continue to remain available. However, for your own safety, you must avoid going out of your homes. To ensure your good health, the key leaders in the pharmaceutical market have launched telemedicine options. So why not leverage it?

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