Pharmacists Helping Others: Hurricane Maria Resources

Hurricane Maria caused significant and long-term damage to Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The majority of the region is still without power and now there are serious drug shortage concerns. FiercePharma: FDA Concerned of Possible Drug Shortages in Wake of Devastation in Puerto Rico. 

Please read below on how you can help during this extremely challenging time.
IACP Board Member Marisol Lopez, RPh, MPh, University of Puerto Rico School of Pharmacy in Trujillo Alto, Puerto Rico, reports, "we still do not have power, and are experiencing inconsistent communications access. Puerto Rico has a very long recovery road ahead of us."

For those who would like to help, Marisol recommends and thanks you for considering donations to these organizations:

One America Appeal, Unidos Por Puerto Rico or Voices for Puerto Rico.

Also for the welfare organizations assisting shelters and animals impacted by Hurricane Maria, please consider donating to the Humane Society of the United States and Wings of Rescue.
Resources for Hurricane Maria Assistance

Access and re-entry to flooded areas will be controlled by emergency managers for some time. For information on requesting access, please visit https://www.healthcareready.org/Maria.

Healthcare Ready's  Rx Open is an interactive map that helps patients and providers find nearby open pharmacies in areas impacted by disaster. The map will be updated daily throughout the federally declared disaster. If your status is not accurate or you want to enroll your pharmacy, please send an email with your name, the name of the pharmacy, and the NCPDP or NPI number for the pharmacy to Healthcare Ready at [email protected]. 

State Boards of Pharmacy Notifications
The American Bar Association is Offering Legal Services


Members of the  American Bar Association (ABA)  are providing legal services to those affected by Hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Maria. Please visit ABA's  Disaster Relief  webpage for a variety of support services including housing assistance, National Disaster Legal Aid, and Disaster Legal Services!

Waiver Program and Emergency Refills

The Department of Health and Human Services has declared a public health emergency, and the CMS 1135 waiver program is now available. Certain requirements for Medicare, Medicaid and CHIP are modified to ensure needs are met and providers and suppliers acting in good faith are reimbursed. Find out more details on the CMS website.  

IACP Foundation Partners with NCPA Foundation to Raise Funds through NCPA Disaster Relief Fund

The IACP Foundation is working with the  National Community Pharmacists Association (NCPA) Foundation  to raise funds for those affected by Hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Maria. Read more and access the donation form here.  You can help community pharmacy owners restore their businesses in the wake of these disasters. Make a donation to the  NCPA Foundation's Disaster Relief Fund . Your help is urgently needed to help  maintain the fund so timely aid can be provided to affected independent pharmacies. Corporate and individual donations are welcome. Support is tax-deductible. And don't forget to enroll your pharmacy in the Pharmacy Disaster Support Center  to be prepared for future disasters. In addition, to apply for a NCPA Foundation Disaster Relief Fund grant , please access form here .
 
Healthcare Ready is helping route and coordinate supply donations. If your pharmacy has a health care supply need OR your pharmacy is able to donate supplies, please email [email protected]. Requests so far include oxygen concentrators, insulin, syringes, and other medical supplies. Healthcare Ready is also coordinating directly with some organizations to supply trained health care professional volunteers. Email [email protected] if you are a trained health care professional and interested in volunteering, so your information can be shared with organizations that need a pharmacist.  

STAY CONNECTED: